-Overwhelming majorities of people who voted in Tuesday’s midterm elections understand the impact of oil and gas on the economy, the American Petroleum Institute said Wednesday. The results of an API-commissioned poll show 90% of voters recognize increased oil and gas production can lead to more jobs and 86% believe it stimulates economy. API President Jack Gerard said energy was a “clear winner” in the elections and urged 2016 candidates to support pro-energy policies. Republicans won control of the Senate after eight years of Democratic rule and increased their majority in the House of Representatives.
-The impact of the GOP’s victory on the energy sector, however, could be blunted by Senate rules. Senate Republicans still lack the 67 votes necessary to override a veto from President Obama and are short of the 60 votes needed to avoid a Democratic filibuster. That will make it difficult for GOP lawmakers to thwart the federal government’s actions on climate change and push through legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and expanded offshore drilling.
-Energy Transfer Partners will build two new gas processing plants and a pipeline to accommodate Eagle Ford and Eaglebine producers. The 200-million-cubic-feet-per-day East Texas processing plant will be constructed near Energy Transfer’s La Grange plant. The new 70-mile Volunteer pipeline will carry 200 million cubic feet per day of rich gas to the East Texas plant, originating in eastern Brazos County, Texas. Energy Transfer has started construction on the 200-million-cubic-feet-per-day REM Eagle Ford Plant II. Energy Transfer will invest between $375 million and $410 million on the three projects.
-Freeport LNG will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its LNG export facility near Freeport, Texas, Nov. 10. Texas lawmakers and executives from Osaka Gas, Chubu Electric Power and IFM Investors are expected to be in attendance.
-PDVSA is still showing its Citgo refineries in the U.S. to potential buyers despite its recent claim that the assets are not for sale. Sources told Bloomberg at least eight companies and one investment group had toured the refineries, and that some of those tours took place this week. A Venezuela official said less than two weeks ago PDVSA would reinvest in Citgo instead of selling it.
