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July 21 (Reuters) - U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a second week in a row, including the deepest oil rig cut since early June, energy services firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O) said in its closely followed report on Friday. U.S. oil rigs fell by seven to 530 this week, their lowest since March 2022, while gas rigs dropped by two to 131. Baker Hughes said drillers cut four rigs in the Permian in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, the nation's biggest shale oil formation, bringing the total down to 333 rigs. They also cut two rigs in the Eagle Ford bringing the total in that South Texas shale basin down to 57 rigs. U.S. shale oil and gas production will fall in August for the first time since December, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its monthly Drilling Productivity Report this week.

Persons: Baker Hughes, Scott DiSavino, Marguerita Choy Organizations: drillers, Eagle Ford, Halliburton, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: West Texas, New Mexico, South Texas, U.S

☆ California has enough power during heat wave after Thursday emergency
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 21 (Reuters) - California's power grid operator said it does not plan to ask consumers to conserve power on Friday after declaring an energy emergency late Thursday as homes and businesses cranked up their air conditioners to escape a lingering heat wave. The California Independent System Operator (ISO), which operates the grid serving more than 32 million consumers representing about 80% of the state's power load, has said it has enough resources available to meet demand. California residents have worried about the effect of extreme weather on the power grid since a brutal heat wave in August 2020 forced the ISO to impose a couple of days of rotating blackouts on around 800,000 homes and businesses. The ISO forecast demand would rise from 42,266 megawatts (MW) on Thursday to 43,512 MW on Friday. Gas is important in California since much of the power generated in the state comes from gas-fired plants.

Persons: Scott DiSavino, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Soaring, Columbia, Thomson Locations: California, Los Angeles, U.S, Pacific Northwest

Brent futures rose $1.13, or 1.4%, to settle at $79.63 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.60, or 2.2%, to settle at $75.75. Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs and can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. Energy traders expect "the oil market will remain tight as Russian shipments drop and as China prepares to provide more support to households," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at data and analytics firm OANDA. Looking ahead, the oil market is waiting for U.S. oil inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, on Tuesday and the EIA on Wednesday. Analysts in a Reuters poll forecast a 2.4-million barrel draw from U.S. crude stocks during the week ended July 14.

Persons: Edward Moya, Kristalina Georgieva, Gelber, Natalie Grover, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, David Holmes, Jan Harvey, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: . Federal, U.S, West Texas, ING, Energy, Monetary, U.S . Energy Information Administration, American Petroleum Institute, Associates, World Meteorological Organization, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Europe, Asia, London, New York, Beijing

Summary U.S. dollar falls to 15-month low against basket of currenciesU.S. oil output to decline in August - EIA outlookUpcoming - U.S. oil inventory data from API and EIANEW YORK, July 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed more than 1% on Tuesday as a weaker U.S. dollar and expected decline in U.S. output outweighed softer-than-expected Chinese economic data. Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs and can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. CRUDE DEMAND STILL A CONCERNComments that global economic growth activity is slowing helped keep crude price gains in check. In the U.S., shale oil production will likely decline in August for the first time since December, projections from the EIA show. Global supplies are expected to see a boost from the resumption of output at two of three Libyan fields that were shuttered last week.

Persons: Brent, Kristalina Georgieva, Jun Rong Yeap, Natalie Grover, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, Jason Neely, David Holmes, Jan Harvey Organizations: U.S, West Texas, U.S ., . Federal, American Petroleum Institute, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Monetary Fund, IG, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Singapore, London, New York, Beijing

☆ Power demand breaks record in Texas again during heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 18 (Reuters) - Power demand in Texas hit a record high for a second straight day on Tuesday as homes and businesses cranked up air conditioners to escape a brutal heat wave. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the grid for more than 26 million customers representing about 90% of the state's power load, has said it has enough resources available to meet soaring demand. That is the fifth record high in ERCOT this summer. One megawatt can power around 1,000 U.S. homes on a typical day, but only about 200 homes on a hot summer day in Texas. Rising economic and population growth has boosted electricity use in Sun Belt states like Texas and Arizona even though overall U.S. power demand is projected to ease in 2023 after hitting a record high in 2022.

Persons: ERCOT, Scott DiSavino, Leslie Adler, Sonali Paul, Chris Reese Organizations: Reliability, of Texas, Sun, Thomson Locations: Texas, ERCOT, Houston, Dallas, Arizona

☆ Texas power use breaks record for second day in heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 13 (Reuters) - Demand for power in Texas hit a record high for a second day in a row on Thursday as homes and business kept air conditioners cranked up during a lingering heat wave. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the grid for more than 26 million customers representing about 90% of the state's power load, has said it has enough resources available to meet soaring demand. After setting 11 peak demand records last summer, ERCOT said usage hit a preliminary 81,406 megawatts (MW) on Thursday, topping the record hit one day earlier, of 81,351 MW. One megawatt can power around 1,000 U.S. homes on a typical day, but only about 200 homes on a hot summer day in Texas. Meteorologists at AccuWeather forecast high temperatures in Houston, the biggest city in Texas, would hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) almost every day from July 13-19.

Persons: ERCOT, Scott DiSavino, Harshit Verma, Sandra Maler, Leslie Adler Organizations: Reliability, of Texas, Thomson Locations: Texas, Houston, Dallas

A Venture Global LNG spokesperson did not comment on the Shell and BP claims. Shell and BP missed out on billions of dollars in sales that went to Venture Global LNG because they were unable to get their contracted fuel, one of the people familiar with the arbitration filings said. Another Venture Global LNG contract customer, Spanish energy firm Repsol SA (REP.MC), has asked U.S. regulators to release confidential records that would shed light on the plant's startup. Founded by a former energy lawyer and investment banker, Venture Global LNG has emerged as a market force with its ability to obtain financing and rapidly build export plants. The contracts were tied to Calcasieu Pass LNG, the first of Venture Global LNG's three planned facilities.

Persons: Costas Baltas, Ira Joseph, Marwa Rashad, Curtis Williams, Scott DiSavino, Gary McWilliams, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Top, Shell, BP, U.S, Venture Global LNG, Venture Global, London Court, International, Edison SpA, Repsol SA, Columbia University's Center, Global Energy, Thomson Locations: Bermuda, Revithoussa, Greece, Europe, Calcasieu, London, Houston

☆ BP settles US natgas market manipulation case for $10.75 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) alleged that BP violated the Natural Gas Act by manipulating the next-day gas market at Houston Ship Channel from mid-September through Nov. 30, 2008. BP paid a civil penalty of $24,356,686 in December 2020 and disgorgement of unjust profits of $250,295 in January 2021 in the case. FERC said under the settlement BP will not seek return of the $250,295 of disgorgement it has paid. The case related to actions by BP traders to take advantage of market dislocations around the time Hurricane Ike smashed into the Houston area in September 2008. FERC's Office of Enforcement alleged BP traders made uneconomic physical gas sales to suppress the Houston Ship Channel Gas Daily index and boost the value of BP's financial position.

Persons: Ike, Scott DiSavino, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Bp, BP, U.S . Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Houston Ship Channel, U.S ., Appeals, Fifth Circuit, FERC, U.S . Court, Federal, FERC's, Enforcement, Houston Ship Channel Gas, Thomson Locations: U.S, Houston

Companies Equinor ASA FollowMorningstar Inc FollowNEW YORK, July 7 (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed about 2% to a six-week high on Friday as supply concerns outweighed fears that further interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce demand for oil. "OPEC+ production cuts are expected to tighten the market, driving supply deficits in the second half of 2023, supporting higher oil prices," analysts at U.S. financial services company Morningstar said in a note. OPEC will likely maintain an upbeat view on oil demand growth for next year, sources close to OPEC said. Russia's latest pledge to reduce oil exports will not require a similar cut in production, a government source told Reuters. Higher borrowing costs could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Morningstar, Russia's, Vortexa, James Knightley, Janet Yellen, Shadia Nasralla, Sudarshan, Jason Neely, David Evans, David Gregorio Our Organizations: ASA, Morningstar, . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, Oil, Equinor ASA, U.S . Federal Reserve, ING, U.S . Energy Information Administration, U.S, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Brent, Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC, Saudi, Ain, Norway, Mexico, China, Europe, Ukraine, Germany, London, Singapore

NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed about 3% on Wednesday as the second straight weekly draw from U.S. crude stockpiles was bigger than expected, offsetting worries that further interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce global oil demand. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.86, or 2.8%, to settle at $69.56, narrowing Brent's premium over WTI to its lowest since June 9. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude inventories dropped by 9.6 million barrels in the week ended June 23, far exceeding the 1.8-million barrel draw analysts forecast in a Reuters poll and also much bigger than the 2.8 million barrel draw a year earlier. This report could be a bottom (for oil prices)," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. Investors remained cautious that interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Persons: Brent, Phil Flynn, Jerome Powell, Flynn, Powell, Christine Lagarde, Gelber, Shariq Khan, Alex Lawler, Mohi Narayan, Emma Rumney, Mark Potter, David Gregorio, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: YORK, . West Texas, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Price Futures Group, Investors, . Federal, European Central Bank, Associates, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: WTI, Russia, Saudi, China, Bengaluru, London, New Delhi

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.63, or 2.45%, to $69.33. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude inventories dropped by 9.6 million barrels in the week ended June 23, far exceeding the 1.8-million barrel draw analysts forecast in a Reuters poll and also much bigger than the 2.8 million barrel draw a year earlier. This report could be a bottom (for oil prices)," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. Investors remained cautious that interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. Analysts at energy consulting firm Gelber and Associates said that decline in backwardation suggested "diminishing worries over potential supply shortages."

Persons: Brent, Phil Flynn, Jerome Powell, Flynn, Powell, Christine Lagarde, Gelber, backwardation, Shariq Khan, Alex Lawler, Mohi Narayan, Emma Rumney, Mark Potter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: YORK, . West Texas, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Price Futures Group, Investors, . Federal, European Central Bank, Associates, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: WTI, Russia, OPEC, Saudi, China, Bengaluru, London, New Delhi

NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose about 2% on Wednesday as a bigger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude stockpiles offset worries that further interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce global oil demand. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude inventories dropped by 9.6 million barrels in the week ended June 23, putting stockpiles down for a second week in a row. That was much bigger than the 1.8 million barrel draw analysts forecast in a Reuters poll and compares with a decline of 2.8 million barrels in the same week last year and a five-year (2018-2022) average decrease of 7.8 million barrels. This report could be a bottom (for oil prices)," Flynn said. Oil prices rose despite worries about interest rate hikes that could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Persons: Brent, Phil Flynn, Flynn, Christine Lagarde, Shariq Khan, Alex Lawler, Mohi Narayan, Emma Rumney, Mark Potter Organizations: YORK, U.S, West Texas, U.S . Energy Information Administration, American Petroleum Institute, Price Futures, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, London, New Delhi

☆ Texas power use breaks record in heat wave -ERCOT
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 27 (Reuters) - Power use in Texas hit a preliminary all-time high on Tuesday as homes and businesses cranked up air conditioners to escape a three-week-old heat wave, according to data from the state's power grid operator. The high temperature in Houston, the biggest city in Texas, hit a high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) on Tuesday, Weather.com reported. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) said power use reached a preliminary 80,828 megawatts (MW) at 6 p.m. CST, topping the grid's previous record of 80,148 MW set on July 20, 2022. ERCOT, which operates the grid for more than 26 million customers representing about 90% of the state's power load, said it has enough resources to meet current demand. Although U.S. power demand is projected to ease in 2023 after hitting a record high in 2022, rising economic and population growth is expected to keep boosting electric use in Sun Belt states like Texas.

Persons: Weather.com, ERCOT, Ashitha Shivaprasad, Harshit Verma, Scott DiSavino, Leslie Adler, David Gregorio, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reliability, of Texas, Texans, Sun, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Texas, Houston, Bengaluru

☆ Texas grid operator again forecasts record power use amid heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 21 (Reuters) - The Texas power grid operator again projected electric use would break a record - this time on Wednesday - after forecast usage fell short of the all-time high on Tuesday as consumers heeded calls to conserve energy during an early summer heat wave. After setting 11 new peak demand records last summer, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) projected peak demand would break records again next week when extreme heat returns to the Lone Star State. ERCOT operates the grid for more than 26 million customers representing about 90% of the state's power load. ERCOT forecast power use would rise from 79,203 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday to 80,458 MW on Wednesday, which would top the grid's current record peak of 80,148 MW on July 20, 2022. Next week, ERCOT forecast demand would reach 82,080 MW on June 26 and 83,555 MW on June 28.

Persons: Scott DiSavino, Conor Humphries Organizations: Electric, of Texas, Lone Star State, ERCOT, Texans, Thomson Locations: Texas, Houston

NEW YORK, June 20 (Reuters) - Oil futures fell about 2% in choppy trading on Tuesday on forecasts for slower growth of oil demand in China, the world's second-biggest oil consumer, and disappointment with the size of cuts in China's key lending rates. "Oil traders may need to see a materialised strong economic rebound in China to improve their outlook on oil demand," said Tina Teng at CMC Markets in Auckland. Higher interest rates ultimately increase borrowing costs for consumers, which could reduce oil demand by slowing economic growth. A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for holders of other currencies, which can reduce oil demand. On the supply side, Iran's crude exports and oil output have hit new highs this year despite U.S. sanctions.

Persons: Brent, Edward Moya, Tina Teng, Thomas Barkin, Scott DiSavino, Noah Browning, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, David Goodman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: YORK, . West Texas, CMC Markets, China, Administration, Customs, . Federal Reserve, Richmond Fed, U.S ., Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Auckland, Russia, New York, London, Tokyo, Beijing

☆ Texas grid operator urges power conservation during heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 20 (Reuters) - The Texas power grid operator urged homes and businesses to conserve electricity on Tuesday evening to prevent power reserves from falling short as consumers crank up their air conditioners to escape the first heat wave of the summer season. ERCOT operates the grid for more than 26 million customers representing about 90% of the state's power load. Although controlled outages are one of the most extreme actions a grid operator could take to maintain reliability, ERCOT said "controlled outages are not needed at this time." ERCOT forecast power use would reach 81,348 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday before slipping to 80,991 MW on Wednesday. Day-ahead power prices for Tuesday settled around $2,500 per MWh at 5 p.m. local time in several zones, including Houston and Dallas, according to the ERCOT website.

Persons: ERCOT, Seher Dareen, Brijesh Patel, Scott DiSavino, Kim Coghill, Will Dunham, Mark Potter Organizations: Electric, of Texas, Texans, Thomson Locations: Texas, Houston, Dallas, U.S, Bengaluru, New York

June 9 (Reuters) - U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a sixth week in a row for the first time since July 2020, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co (BKR.O) said in its closely followed report on Friday. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by one to 695 in the week to June 9, the lowest since April 2022. , ,U.S. oil rigs rose one to 556 this week, while gas rigs fell two to 135, their lowest since March 2022. Data provider Enverus, which publishes its own rig count data, said drillers cut nine rigs in the week to June 7, dropping the overall count to 750. That compares with a record 12.3 million bpd in 2019. U.S. gas production, meanwhile, was on track to rise from a record 98.13 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2022 to 102.74 bcfd in 2023 and 103.04 bcfd in 2024, according to EIA's projection.

Persons: Baker Hughes, Beth McDonald, McDonald, Goldman Sachs, Scott DiSavino, Marguerita Choy Organizations: drillers, Natural Resources, Organization of Petroleum, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia

Prices rose on Monday after Saudi Arabia said over the weekend it would cut output to around 9 million barrels per day (bpd) in July from about 10 million bpd in May. A stronger dollar can weigh on oil demand by making the fuel more expensive for holders of other currencies. Higher interest rates boost borrowing costs, which can slow the economy and reduce oil demand. EIA also projected U.S. petroleum demand would rise from 20.3 million bpd in 2022 to 20.4 million bpd in 2023 and 20.7 million bpd in 2024. That compares with a record 20.8 million bpd in 2005, according to EIA data going back to 1973.

Persons: Brent, Edward Moya, Scott DiSavino, Rowena Edwards, Arathy, Trixie Yap, David Goodman, Matthew Lewis, Chizu Nomiyama, Richard Chang Organizations: EIA, Saudi, U.S, West Texas, Citi, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank, Energy Information Administration, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, OPEC, China, U.S, Europe, New York, London, Houston, Singapore

[1/2] A tug boat pushes an oil barge through New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty in New York City, U.S., May 24, 2022. WTI was headed for its highest close since May 26 and Brent on track for its highest close since May 29. Open interest in futures contracts rose on Thursday to the highest since July 2021 for Brent and March 2022 for WTI. Oil traders have turned their attention to the June 4 meeting of OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia. On the demand side, manufacturing data out of China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, painted a mixed picture.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Brent, WTI, Baker Hughes, Craig Erlam, Erlam, Shadia Nasralla, Andrew Hayley, Susan Fenton, Kirsten Donovan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Congress, YORK, U.S, . West Texas, WTI, Senate, U.S . Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: New York Harbor, of, New York City, U.S, Russia, OPEC, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, China, Shanghai, Shenzhen, London, Beijing

The higher crude output came as production in Texas rose 1.8% to 5.398 million bpd, also its highest since March 2020, the EIA data showed. Consumption of crude oil has ticked higher since the pandemic, and after Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused a global reshuffling of oil and its products. Production in North Dakota fell 2.9% to 1.095 million bpd, the lowest since January. In New Mexico, output gained 1.2% to a record high 1.824 million bpd. Meanwhile, U.S. product supplied of crude and petroleum products - a proxy for demand - rose to 20.449 million bpd, the highest since November 2022, EIA data showed.

Persons: Stephanie Kelly, Scott DiSavino, Marguerita Choy Organizations: YORK, Energy, Thomson Locations: Texas, Ukraine, North Dakota, New Mexico

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 97 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $71.86. A stronger dollar can weigh on oil demand by making the fuel more expensive for holders of other currencies. High interest rates boost borrowing costs, which can slow the economy and reduce oil demand. The strength of April U.S. economic data in addition to optimism about the debt ceiling negotiations have strengthened market expectations of a further hike, ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday. Another factor that could reduce oil demand was a fire in Mexico at the Salina Cruz refinery owned by Mexican state oil company Pemex.

On its last day as the front-month, Brent futures for June delivery rose $1.13, or 1.4%, to $79.50 a barrel by 1:54 p.m. EDT (1754 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.92, or 2.6%, to $76.68. "But, today there were headlines showing there may be a solution to the First Republic problem, and there was data pointing to a rise in oil demand and a decline in output," Flynn said. Fuel demand rose to nearly 20 million bpd, its highest since November, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Crude prices have been lower in recent weeks and months due to uncertainty over further interest rate hikes that could reduce demand for oil.

TOKYO, April 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices gained about 2% on Friday after U.S. data showed crude output was declining while fuel demand was growing. Brent crude futures rose $1.16, or 1.5%, to $79.53 a barrel by 12:24 p.m. EDT (1624 GMT), while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.99, or 2.7%, to $76.75. "But, today there were headlines showing there may be a solution to First Republic's problems and data pointing to a rise in oil demand and a decline in output," Flynn said. In the same report, the EIA said U.S. product supplied of crude and petroleum products - a proxy for oil demand - rose to nearly 20 million bpd and finished motor gasoline rose to 8.7 million bpd in February, the highest for both since November 2022. Oil companies like Exxon Mobil Corp(XOM.N), meanwhile, are riding a wave of strong demand and have held the line on cost-cutting implemented when fuel demand collapsed during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Big gas producers including Chesapeake Energy Corp (CHK.O) and Comstock Resources Inc (CRK.N) are reducing their drilling. "About a third of U.S. gas production is associated gas - produced from oil wells," said Jacques Rousseau, a managing director at research firm ClearView Energy Partners LLC. Gas from the Permian also has climbed to record highs every month this year. PRODUCTION REMAINS STICKYU.S. gas production remains on track to hit 100.67 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) this year, up from last year's record 98.09 bcfd, according to the U.S. government. Despite low gas prices, U.S. drillers have 160 rigs seeking gas up 16% from a year ago, according to data from Baker Hughes Co (BKR.O).

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