Natural gas

U.S. EPA Recognizes ExxonMobil for Reducing Methane Emissions Through Technology Advances and Operational Excellence

Nov. 16, 2009 -- HOUSTON -- ExxonMobil Production Company received a 2009 Continuing Excellence award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under its Natural Gas STAR Program.

The Natural Gas Star Program recognizes companies that apply cost-effective technologies and management practices to improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. The Continuing Excellence Award is presented to companies that annually self report to the EPA and continually demonstrate a high level of performance in reducing emissions, implementing a variety of technologies and practices, and supporting the program's activities, initiatives, and outreach.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich today issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Drue Pearce as the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project Federal Coordinator:

"I commend and thank Drue for her many years of public service, both in the Alaska Legislature and as the first pipeline coordinator, and wish her the best in her next pursuits.    » read more »

ExxonMobil CEO Addresses APEC CEO Summit in Singapore

November 13, 2009 -- SINGAPORE -- Affordable and reliable energy supplies necessary to rebuild the global economy require polices that encourage investment, expand international trade and promote technological innovation, Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation2 (NYSE:XOM), said today.

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO’s Summit3, Tillerson said energy is critical to economic development, and despite the current downturn, demand is expected to grow4 in the years ahead, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.    » read more »

11/02/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today celebrated the opening of the world’s largest landfill gas to liquefied natural gas (LFG-to-LNG) facility in California, the Waste Management Altamont Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility in Livermore. The plant, put together by partners Waste Management, Linde-BOC and Gas Technology Institute, is designed to produce up to 13,000 gallons of LNG a day and is expected to reduce 30,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.    » read more »

Discovery in Highly Prospective Gorgon Area Supports Company's Long-Term Plans for Natural Gas Development

SAN RAMON, Calif., October 18, 2009 - Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) today announced an additional natural gas discovery in the Greater Gorgon area's Carnarvon Basin, Australia's premier offshore hydrocarbon zone.

The Achilles-1 exploration well, located approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the coast of northwest Australia, was drilled to a total depth of 14,800 feet (4,500 meters) and encountered approximately 325 feet (100 meters) of net gas pay.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- World production of fossil fuels-oil, coal, and natural gas-increased 2.9 percent in 2008 to reach 27.4 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) per day, the highest ever recorded. In the first half of the 2008, producers strained to meet global demand, but by year's end the global recession left the market swamped by excess supply, causing oil prices to fall to from $144 per barrel in July to $34 per barrel in December.

According to the latest Vital Signs Update on fossil fuel production:

* Continuing a decade-long trend, most of the growth in fossil fuel production was in the Asia-Pacific region, where production grew 6.3 percent.    » read more »

Qatar Airways makes historic journey from London to Gatwick to Doha --- New Gas to Liquids fuel offers diversity of supply and better local air quality to busy airports.

12/10/2009 -- A Qatar Airways aircraft this evening completed the world’s first commercial passenger flight powered by a fuel made from natural gas.

The historic journey from London Gatwick to Doha took over six hours and was operated with an Airbus A340-600 aircraft using Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines.

Shell developed and produced the 50-50 blend of synthetic Gas to Liquids (GTL) kerosene and conventional oil-based kerosene fuel. The State of Qatar is set to become the world’s leading producer of GTL kerosene when it is put into commercial production from 2012.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. - An amendment authored by U.S. Congressman Dan Boren and included in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act has now passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The amendment provides a $5 million funding boost at the U.S. Department of Energy for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology.

The amendment, and the underlying legislation in which it was included, was approved late last week and now heads to the White House where it is expected to be signed into law.    » read more »

Oct. 06, 09 -- Total announces the signature of a Heads of Agreement (HOA) establishing the principles of a partnership with KazMunaiGas (KMG) for the development of the Khvalynskoye field, located offshore in the Caspian Sea on the border between Kazakhstan and Russia.

Khvalynskoye is a conventional gas condensate field located in water depths of 25 metres which will be developed by Lukoil (50%, operator). The gas produced from this field will be transported to Russia.

Under the terms of the HOA, Total and GdF-Suez will acquire a participation of 25% (Total 17%, GdF-Suez 8%) from the initial 50% stake held by KMG.    » read more »

Oct. 07, 09 -- Total (37.75%), Sonatrach (51%) and Cepsa (11.25%) today announce that the Algerian National Oil and Gas Development Agency (ALNAFT) has approved the development plan for the Timimoun natural gas project, located between Timimoun and Adrar in southwestern Algeria.

This project milestone is the outcome of an exploration and appraisal program begun in 2003, during which six wells were drilled.

Development work should begin in the fourth quarter of the year, with first gas scheduled for 2013. Timimoun is expected to commercially produce around 1.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year (160 millions cubic feet per day) at plateau.    » read more »

October 2, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sean Parnell expressed concern with federal legislation that would consolidate parts of various energy minerals management and leasing programs into another entity.

In a letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall II, Governor Parnell said the legislation goes too far and will result in less domestic oil and gas production and fewer energy-related jobs in the U.S.

“This bill would create unnecessary delays and impediments in federal leasing programs,” Governor Parnell said. “It is in the best interest of Alaska and the nation that oil and gas leasing not be adversely impacted by ill-conceived federal legislation.”    » read more »

15-year Deal Builds on Several Recent Supply Commitments Commercializing Chevron's Equity Natural Gas in Australia

SAN RAMON, Calif., September 15, 2009 - Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) today announced that its Australian subsidiaries have signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) for 1.5 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gorgon project.

As part of the arrangement, Chevron and KOGAS have an option to extend the 15-year agreement for a further five years. The parties are also discussing LNG sales and an equity purchase from Chevron's Wheatstone project, located in northwest Australia.    » read more »

Find Demonstrates Chevron's Ongoing Exploration Success in Prolific Block 0

SAN RAMON, Calif., August 7, 2009 - Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) announced today that its affiliate, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (CABGOC) and its partners, had made a successful discovery in Block 0 located adjacent to the Cabinda coastline in Angola.

The 79-3XST1 discovery well, drilled in March 2009 in 397 feet (120 meters) of water to a total vertical depth of 13,000 feet (3965 meters), encountered over 225 feet of net hydrocarbon pay in the Upper Pinda formation. The well was tested from a single 150 ft. perforated interval and flowed at a rate of 11.6 million cubic feet of natural gas and 2,550 barrels of liquid hydrocarbons per day.    » read more »

July 7, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced today that his Energy Office, in partnership with Clean Energy, a major supplier of compressed natural gas for transportation, and the Southern and Northern Colorado Clean Cities Coalitions, has applied for a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to dramatically expand the use of compressed natural gas as a fuel source for industry, transit and public vehicles in Colorado.

The grant would help fund a $27.6 million project to deploy 68 heavy duty natural gas vehicles in key industry fleets - such as those employing waste disposal trucks and transit buses - as well as construct five new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations across Colorado. The remaining cost would be picked up by project partners.    » read more »

Natural gas delivery rate change to be effective in 2010

July 1, 2009 -- CINCINNATI -- Duke Energy Kentucky announced today it has filed a request with the Kentucky Public Service Commission seeking a rate increase for natural gas delivery service of approximately $17.5 million, or 14 percent on total gas revenues, to be effective in early 2010.

For an average residential customer using 70 ccf (ccf is 100 cubic feet, the standard unit of measure) of natural gas per month, the monthly bill will increase 17.9 percent, from $75.15 to $88.59, based on Duke Energy Kentucky's current rates for delivery.    » read more »