API Global, the American Petroleum Institute’s Global Industry Services department, established a new and comprehensive Auditor Certification Program. It will be the first such program to be developed by industry experts, the national oil and gas trade association said. Source: News
Analyst sees ‘rising threat’ to Libyan oil
Attacks on energy facilities on Libya’s coast indicate a “severe and rising threat” and raise prospects for further disruptions to oil supply, warns a risk analyst at JLT Specialty, London. Source: News
YPF, American Energy Partners agree to Vaca Muerta JV
YPF SA and American Energy Partners LP have signed a joint venture agreement to explore and develop unconventional oil and natural gas from Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation providing that financing can be arranged. Source: News
BHP Billiton to write down $7.2 billion in US onshore assets
BHP Billiton Ltd. expects to book a pretax impairment charge of $7.2 billion, or $4.9 billion post-tax, against the carrying value of its onshore US assets, which will total $16 billion after the move. Source: News
MARKET WATCH: Crude oil prices gain, US natural gas drops
US light, sweet crude oil prices for February delivery gained modestly on the New York market Jan. 14, closing at above $31/bbl while Brent prices on the London market closed just above $31/bbl within days of both benchmarks briefly dipping under $30/bbl. Source: News
FTC issues final amendments to ethanol-gasoline blends labeling rule
The US Federal Trade Commission adopted rating, certification, and labeling requirements for certain ethanol-gasoline blends as it issued final amendments to its automotive fuel ratings, certification, and posting rule. Source: News
Expanding domestic energy is 2016 priority, US Chamber president says
The US Chamber of Commerce is making domestic energy expansion one of its top 2016 priorities, its president announced. It also intends to fight runaway government regulation, push for more American trade globally, and promote entitlement reform discussions, Thomas J. Donohue said in his 2016 State of American Business address. Source: News
Cheniere expects delay for first Sabine Pass LNG cargo
Cheniere Energy Partners LP reported that it expects to export the first LNG commissioning cargo from its Sabine Pass liquefaction project in Cameron Parish, La., in late February or March. The first commissioning cargo was initially expected to occur by late January. Source: News
WoodMac: Growing list of deferred upstream projects reaches 68
Final investment decisions on 68 large projects globally totaling $380 billion in capital expenditures were deferred from when crude oil prices first plunged in 2014 to yearend 2015, according to a report by research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie Ltd. Source: News
Magellan, TransCanada to build Houston crude pipeline connection
Magellan Midstream Partners LP and TransCanada Corp. reported definitive plans to connect TransCanada’s Houston tank terminal to Magellan’s East Houston terminal. Source: News