STUFF

Pump prices not coming down with redux in WTI crude (NYMEX) prices may be because 2/3 of world goes by Brent price, still ~$25 more than WTI. Yea, all of sudden there's a new reason for prices to go up.

Bio Process Algae has teamed up with GPRE for world's 1st algae-ethanol plant. CO2 emissions from eth production pumped into algae bioreactors. Dried algae now used to feed livestock but in larger scale converting into biofuels will be profitable.

DOE last week announced up to $12M in grants for 3 biofuel R/D projects. 1 to develop biomass-derived eth into jet fuel using catalysts. Research Triangle Institute to get another $4M to develop a process to upgrade biomass-derived crude into biofuels. And another to convert biomass into biofuels and high-value chems.

Iran now offering inspectors "supervision" of nuke program. 1st counter proposal in 2 yrs. They want sanctions lifted. Huh. Their nuke plant now online. And IAEA says they've begun operating a new gen of centrifuges for much faster weapons grade U enrichment.

USDA: US farm income to exceed $100B this year.

Beijing seeking to reduce domestic car sales. Huh. Maybe all that ozone pollution. Or too much freedom?

19 US refineries were in the path of Lee. And TX got no rain. But fire with the high winds.

Exxon-Rosneft deal gives Russians access to deepwater, fracking techs besides partial ownership in GOM oil and TX shale.

US now consumes ~25TCF of NG a year. Marcellus estimates now ~84TCF. Do that math. Beware politicians promising cheap gas at the pumps.

Mauritania's offshore oil field expected to double its production by year-end to 8kb/d. The world uses ~89mb/d.

China ordered Conoco-Phillips to suspend production offshore for "negligence" in handling underwater leaks.

ND, SD, MN, IA experiencing fuel supply shortages.

More news on why China cut back oil/gas investment in Iran. The US threatened sanctions on China's big energy firms. And now we see Iran "capitulating" on nuke inspections. Huh.

Iraq implemented a rule last week that prohibits armored convoys to the airport for big oil execs. They have to take a taxi now.

Surveys in Panama say they are sitting on $15B worth of oil/NG. They are dependent on imported oil.

FTC: supply and demand driving oil market. Not speculation.

NRG Solar announced their 20MW solar facility near NM/TX border now operating at full cap.

ENI set Oct 15 target for resumption of NG flow from Libya to Italy via the pipeline.

EU-wide ban on making/importing 60W incandescents came into force Sept 1. Buy LEDs.

Global production of biofuels up 17% in '10 to 28B gals.

Shell to control most S. Iraq NG and Iran to privatize 7 of 9 refineries by March.

Blue Angels performed recently using 50-50 blend of fossil and biofuel.

U of York researchers, working with other US/Euro researchers, found key enzyme to break down plant cell walls.

$180M sugarcane eth project planned in Kenya.

TN politicians touting switchgrass for eth. DuPont venture readying to begin production next yr.

Happy trails, pards.