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

EU LAWMAKERS VOTE TO BAN SALE OF NEW GASOLINE-POWERED CARS FROM 2035

European Union lawmakers approved a law Feb. 14 that will effectively ban the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars in the bloc from 2035, one of the most aggressive moves yet by a major economy to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

RUSSIA ANNOUNCES OIL PRODUCTION CUT IN RESPONSE TO SANCTIONS

Oil prices rose on Feb. 10 after the Kremlin said it would cut oil production by around five per cent in March in response to Western sanctions and the G7 price caps on Russian oil. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia would “voluntarily reduce production by 500,000 barrels per day.”

FINLAND WANTS GREEN HYDROGEN-BASED E-FUELS TO MAKE UP 3% OF ALL TRANSPORT FUELS BY 2030

Finland has set out plans to become “the European leader in the hydrogen economy [across] the entire value chain,” which include a target for e-fuels derived from green H2 to make up three per cent of the country’s transport fuel by 2030.

RELIANCE UNVEILS INDIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TECH FOR HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS

On Feb. 6, Reliance Industries (RIL) introduced India’s first-ever hydrogen-run truck at India Energy Week. If successful, RIL’s new offering could curb vehicular emissions significantly in India as heavyduty trucks, accounting for more than half the country’s road traffic, are major polluters.

How Europe Ditched Russian Fossil Fuels With Spectacular Speed

Europe’s most remarkable response to Russia’s war on Ukraine hasn’t been marshaling military equipment and billions of euros in aid. It’s been the unprecedented speed of an energy transition that in one year has nearly eliminated its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

Largest Trucking Company In Mexico Expands Its Natural Gas Truck Fleet

Hexagon Agility, a world-leading provider of renewable and compressed natural gas (RNG/ CNG) transportation solutions, announced Feb. 15 that Trayecto, the largest cargo trucking company in Mexico, has ordered additional KenMex CNGpowered trucks with Hexagon Agility’s best-in-class fuel systems.

UNITED STATES

UTAH SENATOR SEEKS ALLIES IN PUSH TO KEEP EVS OUT OF U.S. BIOFUEL PROGRAM

Republican U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah is trying to rally colleagues to sign a letter opposing the Biden administration’s plan to include electric vehicles in the nation’s renewable fuel program, arguing the proposal is an assault on the internal combustion engine, Reuters has learned.

U.S. CRUDE PRODUCTION TO RISE IN 2023, WHILE DEMAND FLATTENS: EIA

U.S. crude production will rise in 2023 even as demand flattens, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Feb. 7 in its Short-Term Energy Outlook. EIA’s latest forecast calls for crude oil production to rise by 590,000 barrels per day (bpd), to 12.49 million bpd in 2023.

U.S. BIODIESEL EXPORTS UP IN 2022

Total U.S. biodiesel exports for 2022 reached 753,140.3 metric tons at a value of $1.48 billion, compared to 603,671.1 metric tons exported in 2021 at a value of $717.79 million. Canada was the top destination for U.S. biodiesel exports in 2022, at 636,127.7 metric tons.

DOE ANNOUNCES $25.5 MILLION TO IMPROVE BIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $25.5 million in funding to enable the sustainable use of domestic biomass and waste resources, such as agricultural residues and algae, to produce lowcarbon biofuels and bioproducts.

TESLA TO OPEN U.S. CHARGING NETWORK TO RIVALS IN $7.5B FEDERAL PROGRAM

Tesla Inc. will open part of its U.S. charging network to electric vehicles (EVs) made by rivals as part of a $7.5 billion federal program to expand the use of EVs and cut carbon emissions. The move could help turn Tesla into the universal “filling station” of the EV era.

FUELS INSTITUTE CELEBRATES FIRST DECADE

The Fuels Institute is celebrating its 10th anniversary of bringing together diverse stakeholders in the American fuels industry. The organization, which shares information, influences policy, and conducts research on a range of topics related to the industry, aims to create about four reports per year.

CALIFORNIA CLEAN TRUCK MANDATE MAY KICK IN EARLY

California would require all new medium- and heavy-duty trucks to be zero emissions in 2036, four years earlier than the current mandate, under a new proposal put forward by staff at the California Air Resources Board.

THE IEA WARNS OF A POTENTIAL NATURAL GAS SHORTAGE NEXT WINTER

Tight production capacity for liquefied natural gas could lead to shortages next winter, the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, has warned. As gas demand from China begins to recover, competition for LNG supply will increase, creating the risk of shortages.

Canada

CANADA JANUARY PRODUCER PRICES UP 0.4% ON PETROLEUM, PRIMARY METALS

Producer prices in Canada rose by 0.4 per cent in January from December on higher prices for refined petroleum energy products, as well as primary nonferrous metal products, Statistics Canada said on Feb. 17.

NEW ENBRIDGE CEO SAYS CANADA IS MISSING OPPORTUNITIES AS WORLD CRIES OUT FOR ENERGY

The new CEO of pipeline giant Enbridge Inc. says regulatory uncertainty in this country has resulted in a “lost decade” for Canadian liquefied natural gas production. Greg Ebel made the comments following the release of the company’s fourth-quarter financial results.

HISTORIC PROFITS IN OILPATCH ON TRACK TO CONTINUE AS GLOBAL OIL DEMAND SET TO JUMP YET AGAIN

One by one, oil companies in Canada are releasing their latest financial results, which show 2022 was the most profitable year in the history of the oilpatch. This year is already shaping up to be nearly as rosy as demand for gasoline, diesel, and other fuels remains robust and could soar even higher.

RECORD 3,000-MILE VOYAGE FOR CANADIAN GAS OFFERS RELIEF FOR ASIA

For the first time, a significant amount of Canadian natural gas has been contracted for markets beyond North America. European and Asian buyers searching for supplies are looking to Canada, and the result is the longest path from a natural gas well to a liquefaction facility in the world.

Western Region

NEW MAJOR OIL SANDS PROJECT TO PROCEED AS PRODUCERS BUILD FOR THE FUTURE

For the first time in five years, a new major oil sands project has been given the green light to go ahead. Vancouver, B.C.-based International Petroleum Corporation is going ahead with the $1.1-billion development, called Blackrod, because of the vast resources and energy security it provides.

ALBERTA TRUCK DRIVERS TEST OUT HYDROGEN-POWERED COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Alberta-based transport companies had the chance Feb. 10 to test out Class 8 commercial vehicles that use alternative, energy-efficient fuels. The Alberta Motor Transport Association hosted the Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Demonstration program at Edmonton International Airport.

Altima Secures Joint Venture For Hydrogen Technology

Altima Resources Ltd. announced Feb. 14 it has reached an agreement with H2SX Corp. to form an exclusive partnership whereby Altima will use H2SX’s technology partner’s patented hydrogen production and nano-carbon technology for the conversion of natural gas originating from gas and condensate wells in Alberta and British Columbia into clean hydrogen.

SUNCOR WORKING ON OPTIONS TO REPLACE SUPPLY FROM KEY OIL SANDS MINE

Suncor Energy on Feb. 15 said it is weighing options for replacing around 200,000 barrels per day of raw supply from its oil sands Base Mine, which is set to run out in the mid-2030s. The mine in northern Alberta feeds two upgraders that produce roughly 350,000 barrels per day of high-value synthetic crude.

MANY FACTORS CAUSED KEYSTONE PIPELINE LEAK, SAYS TC ENERGY

On Feb. 9, TC Energy Corp. in Calgary released the results of its investigation into the causes of the December leak in its Keystone pipeline in Kansas, which included bending stress on the pipeline and a welding flaw. The cost of cleanup and remediation is estimated at US$480 million.

Prairie Region

Hydrogen Race Underway In Manitoba

Manitoba might be close to the back of the pack but the hydrogen race is officially underway there. Two small green hydrogen production facilities are in the planning stages along with Winnipeg Transit, which will initially produce its own supply for the hydrogen fuel cell buses it has on delivery.

DURING TRADITIONAL PEAK OF THE DRILLING SEASON, 32 RIGS WERE MAKING HOLE IN SASKATCHEWAN

As of Feb. 14, there were 32 rigs making hole in Saskatchewan, according to RiggerTalk.com, which publishes data from the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC). Whitecap Resources Inc. had the most, with six rigs working.

ONTARIO / QUÉBEC REGION

WILL SOLUTIONS TAKES COMMUNITY-BASED CARBON CREDITS MODEL TO ONTARIO

Will Solutions, a Beloeil, Que.-based company, is expanding into Ontario to widen the scope of its community-based carbon credit program that incentivizes offsets for smaller firms and organizations using a methodology known as ‘Sustainable Communities.’

MAGNA INVESTING $470 MILLION TO BUILD NEW ONTARIO BATTERY ASSEMBLY PLANT, RETOOL FACTORIES

Canada’s biggest maker of automobile parts is set to assemble batteries for Ford Motor Co.’s F-150 Lightning pickup trucks — the electric version of the best-selling vehicle in North America and perhaps the most hotly anticipated EV since Teslas hit the market more than a decade ago.

Atlantic Region

BELGIUM LOOKS TO NOVA SCOTIA TO HELP DELIVER GREEN HYDROGEN TO EUROPE

Nova Scotia is being looked at as a major export partner of a green energy hub in Europe. A Belgian delegation led by the country’s ambassador to Canada was in Halifax Feb. 9, exploring opportunities to partner in Nova Scotia to import green hydrogen as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels.

LICENCE EXTENSION MAINTAINS HOPE FOR SAINT JOHN LNG EXPORT TERMINAL

Hopes to export liquified natural gas out of Saint John remain alive after the Canada Energy Regulator approved a six-year extension for the Saint John LNG licence. This means an expiration of 2032 instead of 2026.