Forbes 2024 Articles

Can Biden Celebrate Energy Records Achieved In U.S., Both Fossil And Renewables?

Originally published on Forbes.com on March 25, 2024

Record U.S. levels in fossil and renewable energies are impressive, and Houston may become the Silicon Valley of energy, according to Bill Gates.

Joe Manchin is the senior senator from West Virginia, in office since 2010. He created a stir when he opposed the IRA bill when his support was needed to pass it.  The bill was in limbo for several months. Manchin finally relented, and the bill passed in August of 2022. Called the Inflation Reduction Act, it contained funds for all energies, but an enormous amount for renewables of all shades.  Coupled with the previous Infrastructure bill of 2021, this earmarked $479 billion for new energy, clean energy, and climate investment. Read more

Unpausing Liquefied Natural Gas Export Permits — An Algorithm The Feds Could Use

Originally published on Forbes.com on March 18, 2024

Several calculations could be included in an algorithm to decide the critical conditions for unpausing LNG exports.

It’s truly a golden age for LNG. An article by Bloomberg epitomizes the liquefied natural gas (LNG) boom. For example, QatarEnergy and its backers are investing $45 billion (yes, that’s billion) to expand the country’s LNG exports, although it’s already one of the top three LNG exporters in the world—along with Australia and the U.S. A Japanese firm building the expansion has enlisted thirty thousand workers from fifty countries. Read more.

The Oil And Gas Industry: Could They, Should They, Try To Reach Net-Zero Emissions By 2050?

Originally published on Forbes.com on February 29, 2024

Oil and gas companies are starting to pivot toward climate change, but how far should they pivot? They could diversify away from oil and gas production, or they could stay with business as usual and hope for a moonshot solution. Read more.

Huge Methane Leak From Kazakhstan Well – Why This Is Important To Kazakhstan And To The West.

Originally published on Forbes.com on February 21, 2024

A huge release of methane from a single well that lasted six months was followed by Kazakhstan pledging with 150 other countries to reduce emissions by 30% by the year 2030.

In 2023 a natural gas well blew out while drilling in Kazakhstan. Why is this important to Kazakhstan, and to the rest of the oil and gas world? To start with, the blowout lasted 6 months. Second, the well was burping methane gas the whole time, and methane heats the atmosphere up to 80 times more than CO2 does. Third, Kazakhstan’s history and independence from Russia in 1991 make it a country the West should want to help resolve problems in its energy industry. Read more.

What The President’s Permit Pause Means For The Golden Age Of Liquefied Natural Gas.

Originally published on Forbes.com on January 30, 2024

On one hand, LNG provides energy security and reduces emissions by displacing coal-fired power plants. On the other hand, LNG causes carbon emissions from leakage and combustion.

The Biden administration, under its view that climate change is an existential threat, has taken action on an LNG dilemma. On January 26, 2024 President Biden paused all approvals to permit new LNG export projects. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says it needs to update its approval process which includes domestic supply, energy security, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The order calls for a pause that is temporary and will be followed by a period for public response, and will not likely be resolved until after end-of-year elections. This has caused consternation within the oil and gas industry. Here are some facts that may clarify the government’s actions. Read more >>

Clean Alternate Energies: Geothermal Breakthrough Emerges From Shale Revolution

Originallly published on Forbes.com on January 17, 2024

Two current projects are definitely encouraging for commercial application of geothermal technology as a non-intermittent renewable energy source.

If the world does reach net-zero by 2050, meaning the energy supply is carbon-free, then a third of this energy will come from systems that have much in common with oil and gas industry skills and resources: offshore wind, liquid biofuels, biomethane, hydrogen fuel, geothermal energy. Read more>>