-The U.S. will become a net exporter of natural gas by 2017, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook. Via Reuters, the agency said increased gas production in the U.S. will result in reduced imports from Canada and increased exports to Mexico, Asia and Europe. Last year EIA said the U.S. would become a net natural gas exporter in 2020.
-Shell’s proposed $70 billion purchase of BG Group could put the former’s British Columbia LNG project in jeopardy, the Financial Post reports. Analysts believe Shell could turn its attention to LNG projects on the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Australia upon completing the deal. Gulf Coast LNG facilities have lower project costs than those planned along Canada’s West Coast. Additionally, Shell would own BG’s Queensland Curtis LNG project, which could receive gas from Shell’s upstream operations in Australia.
-A new EPA report shows net methane emissions from natural gas production have fallen 38% since 2005.
-Striking union workers at LyondellBasell’s Houston refinery rejected the company’s latest offer late Tuesday, the Houston Chronicle reports. LyondellBasell officials said they would implement the terms of the company’s latest contract on April 20. The union planned to meet today to discuss its next move.
-A group of environmental activists occupied the lobby of BP’s Houston headquarters this morning to mark the five-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. BP said six protesters entered the lobby and were escorted out by local police after refusing to leave. The group said six of its members were arrested.
