The White House has been speaking with U.S. oil and gas producers in recent days about helping to bring down rising fuel costs, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Energy costs are rising worldwide, in some cases leading to shortages in major economies like China and India. In the United States, the average retail cost of a gallon of gas is at a seven-year high, and winter fuel costs are expected to surge, according to the U.S. Energy Department. Oil and gas production remains below the nation’s peak reached in 2019.
“We are closely monitoring the cost of oil and the cost of gas Americans are paying at the pump. And we are using every tool at our disposal to address anti-competitive practices in U.S. and global energy markets to ensure reliable and stable energy markets,” a White House official said.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Oct. 13 that she is not aware of any contact with oil and gas companies “around this particular issue.”
U.S. crude oil recently hit $80 per barrel for the first time in seven years, as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies known as OPEC+ restrict output. The White House has discussed rising prices with top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.
The average retail price of a gallon of gasoline has risen to $3.29, according to AAA figures. The U.S. Energy Department said on Oct. 13 that household heating costs are expected to rise dramatically this winter for all fuels, but particularly for heating oil and propane.
U.S. oil production has been slow to rebound from 2020, when output dropped during the coronavirus outbreak. Production hit a record of nearly 13 million barrels per day (MMbbl/d) in late 2019, but the U.S. Energy Department said Oct. 13 that output will only average 11 MMbbl/d in 2021, rising to 11.7 MMbbl/d 2022.
Natural gas prices are up sharply this year, the result of supply shortages and stronger-than-expected demand in Europe and Asia.
U.S. shale producers, who are responsible for the boom in crude oil output in the last 10 years, have been less willing to drill for more oil after years of weak financial performance, and have instead focused on cutting spending to boost returns for investors.
It can take six months to drill and complete a new well and bring the oil and gas to market. Any call by the White House for an increase in U.S. production is likely to fall on deaf ears, according to one oil executive, who did not want to be identified criticizing the approach. The industry has also been unhappy with some of Biden's earlier actions, including a temporary drilling halt on federal lands, that they see as an attack on the industry.
“By pursuing policies that restrict supply and make it harder to produce oil and natural gas here in America, Americans will have to pay more for their energy,” said Anne Bradbury, CEO at the American Exploration and Production Council, which lobbies for independent oil and gas producers.
President Joe Biden’s administration has been conducting internal discussions about rising fuel costs, one of the two sources added.
The White House has been trying to tackle supply bottlenecks that have boosted the price of various goods, from meat to semiconductors. Officials said Oct. 13 that the administration has been working with major ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, along with shipping giants UPS and FedEx, to alleviate congestion slowing deliveries.
Recommended Reading
Hess Midstream Announces 10 Million Share Secondary Offering
2024-02-07 - Global Infrastructure Partners, a Hess Midstream affiliate, will act as the selling shareholder and Hess Midstream will not receive proceeds from the public offering of shares.
EQT CEO: Biden's LNG Pause Mirrors Midstream ‘Playbook’ of Delay, Doubt
2024-02-06 - At a Congressional hearing, EQT CEO Toby Rice blasted the Biden administration and said the same tactics used to stifle pipeline construction—by introducing delays and uncertainty—appear to be behind President Joe Biden’s pause on LNG terminal permitting.
TC Energy’s Keystone Back Online After Temporary Service Halt
2024-03-10 - As Canada’s pipeline network runs full, producers are anxious for the Trans Mountain Expansion to come online.
Enbridge Announces $500MM Investment in Gulf Coast Facilities
2024-03-06 - Enbridge’s 2024 budget will go primarily towards crude export and storage, advancing plans that see continued growth in power generated by natural gas.
Plains All American Names Michelle Podavin Midstream Canada President
2024-03-05 - Michelle Podavin, who currently serves as senior vice president of NGL commercial assets for Plains Midstream Canada, will become president of the business unit in June.