In Venezuela, Maduro’s Grip Threatened as Oil Industry Breakdown Continues
Backed by a host of Latin American countries and the United States, Juan Guaido's declaration of himself as the legitimate president of Venezuela represents the sternest test Maduro has faced to his hold on power—and the oil market has already felt the effects.
EV Sales: Waiting for the Inflection
National data shows 2018 EV sales are up 83 percent on 2017—but the realities facing the EV industry and oil's virtual monopoly on U.S. transportation fuels means the inflection point in transforming our transportation sector has yet to be reached.
IEA’s WEO Presents Three Futures of World Oil Demand
Although supply-side dynamics have hogged the spotlight recently, world oil demand this year is expected to average over 100 Mbd—a symbolic benchmark that is more than 13 Mbd higher than it was a decade earlier.
Wild Week Ends with 11th-Hour OPEC+ Deal
Responding to a looming period of oversupply, OPEC and its non-OPEC allies agreed to cut production through the first half of 2018 of 1.2 million barrels per day.
U.S. Reaches 1 Million Electric Vehicle Sales
The U.S. electric vehicle market will reach a major milestone this month as automakers reach 1,000,000 EV sales.
Attacks on Oil Infrastructure Increase as Prices Reach Multi-Year Highs
A SAFE analysis shows that there were 1,480 terrorism incidents against oil and gas facilities worldwide between 2011 and 2016, a 387 percent increase from twenty years ago.
Graphics Highlighting Prospects of Reducing Oil Demand Through Fuel Economy, EVs & Autonomy
Given the natural synergies between AVs and EVs, growth of self-driving cars will accelerate electrification and ultimately bring about more diversity in the transportation sector.
OPEC Countries Highly Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
Countries that rank low in cyber readiness account for more than 44 million barrels per day, approximately 45 percent of the world’s daily oil production.
Interior Looks to Revamp Offshore Access and Permitting
Speeding up the process is good news for the industry in that there are plenty of untapped offshore reserves. However, many companies may choose to withhold capital investment given the current low-price environment and typical long-cycle investment in offshore production.
BNEF Sharply Revises EV Forecast Upward
BNEF projects electric vehicles to account for 50 percent of total vehicle sales in 2040, a roughly 15 percentage point upward revision from its 2016 forecast.
What Will Autonomous Vehicles Mean for New Infrastructure Projects?
The unexpected victory of President-elect Donald Trump this month overshadowed other major election developments, including the approval of billions of dollars in new mass transit and infrastructure projects across the nation. How will self-driving vehicles affect these and other infrastructure developments?
An Evolved Oil Market and New Vehicle Technologies Have Major Implications for Light Duty Fuel Economy
If it can be verified that the use of autonomous vehicles will improve overall fuel economy and reduce GHG emissions, the agencies should explore ways to maximize the benefits as soon as feasible.
Ecuador Begins Rainforest Drilling in Effort to Avoid Venezuela's Fate
With the beginning of production, Ecuador has added 20,000 b/d to its output, with plans to raise this to 40,000 b/d by year-end, all at production costs said to be under $12 per barrel.
Five Charts Showing a Gradual Rebalancing of the Oil Market
SAFE's latest energy security fact pack shows how the oil market is rebalancing more slowly than any expected, with underwhelming demand and supply side reactions leaving prices volatile and stocks brimming.
Venezuela and Ecuador Increasingly Desperate to Restructure Oil for Loans Deals with China
Low oil prices are impacting Chinese oil for loans deals, forcing Venezuela and Ecuador to ask for restructured agreements as they remain mired in debt and strapped for cash.
V2G Moves from Laboratory to Practice in Air Force Demo
When combined with a very large pool of electric vehicle batteries, vehicle to grid technology (V2G) can help utilities balance short periods of supply and demand imbalances in the electrical grid and even lower bills by using locally generated power from solar or wind.
Three Challenges Confronting the Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Vehicle
Toyota is hoping its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will mirror the success of the Prius hybrid. But important questions remain regarding storage, range, infrastructure, and the cost of hydrogen fuel.
Citing Safety Concerns, Towns Challenge Federal Crude-by-Rail Rule
On October 1, DOT will implement stricter safety standards for crude by rail, but two suburban Chicago communities have challenged the rules, citing glaring loopholes in the soon-to-be-implemented regulation.
In Petrobras Debate, A Challenge to Brazil’s Resource Nationalism
Alongside a corruption scandal, the oil price downturn is challenging the viability of developing Brazil's pre-salt reserves, and prompting debates about the government's role in the energy sector.
Understanding the Saudi Leadership Shakeup
Recent developments in the Saudi leadership have left many wondering about the implications for the Kingdom’s influential energy policy.
Study: Flying Outpaces Driving in Fuel Efficiency
Driving is more energy-intense than flying, a University of Michigan study concluded last month, revealing surprising trends about energy consumption in the United States.
Do Automotive Dealers Want to Sell Electric Cars?
Research from UC Davis and Consumer Reports explores the question: Why are so many automotive dealerships steering customers away from electric vehicles?
