NEWS UPDATES

The following section is a summary of the top media headlines and coverage of key policy and issues impacting the transportation fuel marketing space. Please note that all orange text in the following section is hyperlinked. If viewing electronically, you can click to read full articles directly from the publication source.

Global

WHAT THE BIG UPDATE TO EMISSIONS TRADING RULES MEANS FOR EUROPE’S KEY SECTORS

The European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a vital part of the region’s decarbonization plans. Simon Göss of Carboneer digs into the new rules coming in for the existing EU ETS and the implementation of the new carbon border adjustment mechanism.

EU BAN ON RUSSIAN DIESEL NEARS, WHETHER MARKET’S READY OR NOT

In early February, the EU is banning Russian diesel and other refined fuels, and it’s not clear the market is ready for the shock. The new Feb. 5 sanctions will prompt a massive rerouting of global diesel flows, risking higher prices.

COMMERCIAL LIQUID HYDROGEN STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION COULD BE IMPROVED WITH NEW TECHNIQUE

South Korean researchers are seeking a safer and more efficient cryogenic fuel tank design for liquid hydrogen storage and transportation, and are investigating how vaporization and heat flows within cryotanks vary based on tank filling ratios.

STRIKE CUTS FRENCH POWER SUPPLY, HALTS REFINERY SHIPMENTS

A nationwide strike against pension reform in France led to a substantial fall in electricity output and halted deliveries from refineries operated by TotalEnergies and Esso on Jan. 19.

U.S. ENERGY CHIEF SAYS BIDEN WOULD VETO HOUSE REPUBLICAN BILL ON OIL RESERVE

In a letter last week, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm warned Republicans that limiting President Joe Biden’s authority to tap the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve would undermine national security, cause crude oil shortages, and raise gasoline prices.

Colonial Cuts Key Fuel Line To New York Harbor After Spill

Colonial Pipeline Co. halted operations on a critical conduit that supplies fuel to the U.S. Northeast, the latest disruption to energy flows following an outage on the Keystone oil pipeline in December.

OILSANDS EXECS SAY THEY CAN'T INVEST IN DECARBONIZATION ANY FASTER, DESPITE PROFITS

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has said repeatedly over the last year that the companies need to prove their commitment by putting some of that cold hard cash into climate initiatives. But oilsands executives maintain there isn’t a place to invest that money yet.

HOW 2023 COULD BE PIVOTAL FOR HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY IN CANADA

USDA

Maintains Forecast For Soybean Oil Use In Biofuel Production

The USDA maintained its forecast for 2022-’23 soybean oil use in biofuel production in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released Jan. 12. The agency also maintained its forecast for the price of soybean oil.

There is excitement in Canada about what 2023 will bring as several hydrogen demonstration projects are set to take place, while construction will also begin on a massive new hydrogen production facility.

COULD CCUS MEAN AN END TO OFF-SHORING CANADIAN OIL AND GAS & EMISSIONS?

TRUCK

Freight Routes Could Be Hydrogen Fueling Station Backbone

California fuel cell advocates are urging a national strategy to replace diesel-powered heavy trucks at major U.S. ports and link future regional hydrogen hubs to create a fueling infrastructure.

APPROVAL AS RENEWABLE DIESEL FEEDSTOCK A ‘GREAT WIN’ FOR CANOLA INDUSTRY

With U.S. renewable diesel production expected to quadruple by 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow canola oil to join soybean and corn oil as a feedstock for the fuel is a win for the canola industry.

OPINION: INSTEAD OF CANCELING THE GAS ENGINE, CALIFORNIA SHOULD LET INNOVATORS INNOVATE

Paul Dabbar of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University argues governments should not be banning purchases of internal combustion engine cars. Instead, they should allow innovators to develop all technology options for no-emissions cars.

Two experts at an event in Calgary described how Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage is emerging as a technology that is critical to the decarbonization of the oil and gas industry – one that could help Canada create a boom in oil-producing provinces.

WESTERN REGION

BREAKENRIDGE: POLITICIANS NEED TO PUMP THE BRAKES ON DEMONIZING ALBERTA’S GASOLINE RETAILERS

Calgary Herald columnist Rob Breakenridge responds to recent comments by Alberta’s premier and the NDP by saying there is nothing sinister afoot in the province’s gasoline retail industry and that the haranguing of gasoline retailers has to stop.

LONG-AWAITED BLUEBERRY RIVER DEAL CHANGES THE GAME FOR MONTNEY GAS PRODUCERS

British Columbia and Blueberry River First Nations agreed on a plan that will clear the way for oil and gas development in the lucrative Montney shale play in northeast B.C. and northwest Alberta, albeit with strict conditions that will limit disruption of Blueberry River’s territory.

NATURAL GAS, NOT ELECTRICITY, TO POWER CANADA'S FIRST LNG PLANT

Atlantic Region

INDUSTRY ABUZZ ABOUT BP WELL BEING DRILLED OFF NEWFOUNDLAND THIS SUMMER

IMPERIAL OIL GIVES OK TO $720M RENEWABLE DIESEL PROJECT NEAR EDMONTON

Shell PLC's LNG Canada export project in British Columbia plans to start building its proposed second phase with natural gas-powered turbines and switch to electricity as more renewable power becomes Imperial Oil Ltd. is going ahead with a $720-million project to build a renewable diesel facility at its Strathcona refinery near Edmonton. The project, first announced in August 2021, is expected to produce 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel once it is complete.

PRAIRIE REGION

PROJECT AIMED AT CAPTURING EMISSIONS FROM OIL WELLS LAUNCHES NEAR NORTH BATTLEFORD

Angkor Resources Corp officially activated its Solution Gas/Carbon Capture Project in Evesham, Saskatchewan in early January after nine months of work to get it operational.

MCDOUGALL ENERGY IS THE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

CEMA Member McDougall Energy has been named Company of the Year (51+ employees) by Northern Ontario Business. The marketer and distributor of propane, fuels and lubricants, now in its third generation of family ownership, is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

MPP BOB BAILEY BULLISH ABOUT SARNIA REFINERIES’ FUTURE

Sarnia MPP Bob Bailey’s overwhelming optimism about the future viability of local refineries – the lifeblood of Sarnia’s economy – was a key message during an hour-long town hall Jan. 12.

An offshore Newfoundland exploration project has recently been named among the Top 5 in the world most likely to “shake up the market” in 2023 and beyond. Seismic testing indicates the project has potential reserves of up to five billion barrels.

IRVING OIL SELECTS SUPPLIER OF CARBONNEGATIVE RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS FOR ITS OPERATIONS

Irving Oil and global waste-to-renewable natural gas (RNG) industry leader Anaergia Inc. have announced a partnership that will supply Canada’s largest refinery in Saint John with carbon-negative RNG made from organic matter instead of fossil fuels.

P.E.I. COMPANY INVESTING MILLIONS IN GREEN ENERGY

P.E.I. engineering firm Aspin Kemp & Associates is making a multi-million dollar investment in green hydrogen as the province works toward becoming net zero by 2040.

NORTHERN REGION

FORT GOOD HOPE, N.W.T., LEADERS OPTIMISTIC IMPERIAL OIL VISIT MARKS TURNING POINT IN RELATIONSHIP

Imperial Oil representatives visited all five Dene and Metis communities represented by the Sahtu Land and Water Board as the company begins the process to renew licences to extract oil in Norman Wells, N.W.T. for another decade.

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SEASON THREE, EPISODE 1

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