TES2018

JANUARY

US gas exports quadrupled in 2017.
2017 was the last year that China was not the top natural-gas importer: Japan averaged 11 billion cubic feet per day; China imported on average 5.6 bn cubic feet per day.
In 2017, the US had the capacity to store 1,000 megawatts of power for one hour. That total is projected to double in 2018; meanwhile, the US rooftop solar industry contracted in 2017 - after 16 straight years of gains.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

There are about 40 active shale plays in the continental US.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly blocked efforts to host a public "red-team / blue-team" debate about the science around climate change.
Arnold Schwarzenegger - former Terminator and California governor - sues the oil and gas industry for 'First Degree Murder.'

APRIL

Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill and the DoE is a big winner - it gets $35 billion, a $3.8 billion increase over fiscal 2017.
April 21, shooting in the Saudi Royal Palace in Riyadh injures Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia begins construction of the largest solar farm in the world - a staggering 200 GW solar farm.

MAY

Global renewable energy capacity, energy demand, and energy-related CO2 emissions all increased.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry told by President to "prepare immediate steps" to bail out economically struggling coal and nuclear power plants in the interest of national security.
President Trump asks ethanol farmers and oil refiners to call a truce over federal RFS biofuel mandates.

JUNE

On June 9, the Pope has a private meeting with a few O&G executives and energy influencers.
June 29, 2017, President Trump announces that his administration will pursue "energy dominance".
Germany misses its target of cutting carbon emissions by 40% ... again.

JULY

All G20 Energy Ministers unanimously adopt Communique: "natural gas is key for a clean and sustainable future," and all nations should increase investment in natural gas.
President Trump visits Germany and Russia to make clear that the US opposes the development of the proposed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
Most species are devastated by warmer global temperatures, but some thrive, such as: Arctic mosquitoes, Pine beetles, Southern gray-cheeked salamander, and cats.
Scott Pruitt, the Administrator of the EPA, has resigned; Andrew Wheeler becomes acting-Director of the EPA.

AUGUST

Curious economic conditions for global natural gas market: demand growing, prices dropping.
Energy companies no longer have to pay the federal government "compensatory mitigation" fees to offset damage to public land.
"Urban heat islands" reach record temperatures in the US; Phoenix is the hottest US urban heat island.

SEPTEMBER

The United States surpasses Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world's largest oil producer.
California signs a new law: the world’s fifth largest economy commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in 25 years.
US/China trade war focused entirely on Iran's oil exports (US sanctions vs. Chinese demand).
Every country in the world except the US supports the COP21 Paris Climate goals, but no major developed country is on track to meet them.

OCTOBER

Coal barely holding on as top source for generated electricity (38% of global total).
Growth rate of renewable energy in India surpasses growth rate for the European Union.
The Saudi economist who criticized the Aramco IPO has been charged with terrorism.

NOVEMBER

President Trump nominates Andrew Wheeler as the new Director of the EPA.
US Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke fights to save his job.
Toshiba cancels its Moorside nuclear project in the UK while Ukraine unveils solar plant in Chernobyl.

DECEMBER

The 408th consecutive month that temperatures were above the 20th-century average.
Hydraulically fractured horizontal wells account for a majority newly drilled oil and natural gas wells.
For the first time, the US achieves net-positive export of crude oil and petroleum products.

top energy stories 2018