Changes in U.S. residential natural gas prices lag spot prices
Monthly average natural gas wholesale spot prices at the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub have been generally declining so far in 2023, but these relatively low prices do not immediately translate into lower retail prices for residential consumers. Changes in retail natural gas prices lag changes in wholesale natural gas prices, largely due to the nature […]
China imported record volumes of crude oil in the first half of 2023
Record volumes of crude oil were imported into China during the first half of 2023 because of refinery expansions in the country and initiatives to reopen the economy after the government eased COVID-19 mobility restrictions. China imported an average of 11.4 million barrels of crude oil per day (b/d) in the first half of 2023, […]
Energy use for transportation increased from pre-pandemic levels in 2021 in only 12 states
Use of energy for transportation remained low in the United States during 2021 compared with pre-pandemic levels and only increased in 12 states. Average U.S. transportation energy use decreased by 5% from 2019 to 2021, according to our State Energy Data System (SEDS). Although transportation energy use did increase in every state in 2021 compared […]
U.S. ethane production established a new record in April 2023
U.S. ethane production reached a new monthly record of 2.7 million barrels per day (b/d) in April 2023, continuing the upward trend that started in 2013, according to data from our Petroleum Supply Monthly. Increased natural gas and ethane production in the Permian Basin, which spans Texas and New Mexico, drove the national increase.
The United States exported more LNG than any other country in the first half of 2023
The United States exported more liquefied natural gas (LNG) than any other country in the first half of 2023 (1H23), according to data from CEDIGAZ. U.S. LNG exports averaged 11.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during this period, 4% (0.5 Bcf/d) more than in 1H22, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s […]
Record U.S. small-scale solar capacity was added in 2022
We estimate that the United States added 6.4 gigawatts (GW) of small-scale solar capacity in 2022, the most ever in a single year.
Electric vehicles and hybrids make up 16% of U.S. light-duty vehicle sales
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicle sales in the United States have increased in recent years as sales have decreased for non-hybrid gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles. In the second quarter of 2023 (2Q23), hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles collectively accounted for 16% of light-duty vehicle sales in the United States, according to data from […]
Heating U.S. commercial buildings is most energy intensive in cold climates
U.S. commercial buildings in cold or very cold climates were more than five times more energy intensive for space heating than buildings in hot or very hot climates, according to our latest Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). Specifically, commercial buildings in cold or very cold climates consumed an average of 36,100 British thermal units […]
In 2023, U.S. renewable diesel production capacity surpassed biodiesel production capacity
In January 2023, U.S. production capacity of renewable diesel and other biofuels reached 3 billion gallons per year, surpassing U.S. biodiesel production capacity for the first time. Rising targets for state and federal renewable fuel programs and the renewal of biomass-based diesel tax credits are driving this growth in U.S. renewable diesel capacity.
U.S. gasoline prices are on the rise heading into Labor Day
On the Monday before the Labor Day weekend, August 28, 2023, the retail price of regular gasoline averaged $3.81 per gallon (gal) across the United States. Over the past five weeks, oil production cuts by Saudi Arabia, low U.S. gasoline inventories, and announced refinery maintenance in the Northeast have increased the regular gasoline retail price […]