PennEnergy's Daily Petroleum Update 9/3

Today's Headlines
Oil production at Alaska's Cook Inlet reaches more than 16,000 bpd Oil production at Cook Inlet in Alaska has surged to 16,288 barrels per day in the first six months of this year, up 25 percent from the first half of 2013. …more>>
Halliburton reaches $1B Gulf oil spill settlement Halliburton agreed to pay $1.1 billion to settle what it calls "a substantial portion" of plaintiff claims arising from the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. …more>>
Morgan Stanley proposes building Texas compressed natural gas export facility Morgan Stanley plans to build a facility in Texas to export compressed natural gas. …more>>
Offshore Gabon production update from Vaalco Production from the Etame Marin block has resumed after the successful completion of previously announced maintenance work. …more>>
Resuming ordinary operations at In Amenas gas plant 19 months after the In Amenas attack, Statoil and the joint venture partners are ready to resume ordinary operations at the plant. …more>>
Study to look at financial impact of gas boom Researchers are looking at whether money from the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom helps children and families in regions where companies are drilling. …more>>
Dominion, Duke propose $5B natural gas pipeline Gas is being relied upon to generate more of the nation's electricity in recent years because enormous new domestic supplies have drastically lowered its price. …more>>
Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series advancing productivity with HOCNF approval Mobil’s DTE 10 Excel Series is engineered to address the lubrication demands of high-pressure offshore hydraulic equipment. …more>>

EVs and Energy Storage Pave the Road to a Clean Energy Future

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/09/evs-and-energy-storage-pave-the-road-to-a-clean-energy-future?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-September3-2014

America's Nuclear Arsenal is Back

America's Nuclear Arsenal is Back

09/02/14

Rod Lyon

Security, United States

"Nuclear weapons are making a comeback in US strategic policy—driven by a growing mood of strategic realism in Washington." 

Given the intensity of media focus on a series of crises this year—Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, Ebola, and the South China Sea to name just a few—readers may be forgiven for having failed to notice that another important, though more incremental, development has also occurred. With each passing month it becomes clearer that a mood of nuclear realism is unfolding in US strategic policy. While President Obama is still remembered most clearly in the public mind for the anti-nuclear language in his Prague speech of 2009, a string of events in 2013–14 suggest that a shift of emphasis is occurring in relation to nuclear weapons.

First, the administration has committed to the long-overdue modernization of the US nuclear arsenal. True, the initial funding decisions are merely the opening salvoes of a program that will take decades to unpack, and key decisions about the shape and size of the arsenal remain unresolved. But the administration has signaled a commitment to renovate the strategic triad, and even to modernize its principal tactical weapon, the B-61 bomb.

Read full articlehttp://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/americas-nuclear-arsenal-back-11178

Nuclear Carnival 224

www.thingsworsethannuclearpower.com/2014/09/this-weeks-best-nuclear-articles.html

APR+ Design Certification Announced

APR+ Design Certification Announced

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 12:43 PM PDT

While discussion has been focused on the announcement that the ESBWR was approaching design certification in the United States, another, completely different reactor plant type has actually achieved its design certification without any news coverage of note whatsoever.http://atomicpowerreview.blogspot.com/2014/09/apr-design-certification-announced.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtomicPowerReview+%28atomic+power+review%29

Cangzhou NPP to Start Construction in June 2016

Cangzhou NPP to Start Construction in June 2016

Arnaud Lefevre-Baril Chief Executive Officer at Dynatom International GmbH

Hebei Cangzhou government released an announcement on Heibei Cangzhou Haixing nuclear power project on August 26th in which the public participated for the first time. According to the announcement, Hebei Haixing nuclearpower plant plans to build two million-kilowatt AP1000 units in the first phase, in which unit 1 is scheduled to complete the first FCD in June 2016 with construction period of 54 months and realized operation in December 2020.
Meanwhile, Hebei Construction Energy Investment Co., Ltd also announced on the same day to take up shares in Cangzhou Haixing nuclear power project with its own funds of RMB one million and to set up a joint ventre with CNNC Huadian Hebei nuclear power company , together with CNNC and Huadian Power International. The registered capital is RMB 10 million, in which CNNC invests RMB 5.1 million sharing 51% of the stake.
Located at Haixing county in Cangzhou, Hebei province, Cangzhou nuclear power project planned to build 6×1250MW AP1000 nuclear units with 2×1250MW units in the first phase. The preliminary feasibility study report review has been completed. It is estimated that RMB 8.443 billion will invested in the first phase.

Source: http://news.bjx.com.cn/html/20140902/542759.shtml

河北沧州核电项目2016年6月开建 2020年12月投运 news.bjx.com.cn

北极星核电网讯:河北省沧州市政府8月26日发布的《河北沧州海兴 核电项目公众参与第一次信息公告》(以下简称《公告》)显示，河北海兴核电厂一期规划建设2台百万千瓦级 AP1000型 核电机组，其中1号机组计划于2016年6月浇筑第一罐混凝土，建设周期为54个月，2020年12月投入运行。...

Germany's flagship green energy policy 'in tatters'

 

Access article online to read comments
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/11070145/Germanys-flagship-green-energy-policy-in-tatters.html
Daily Telegraph       2 September 2014
Germany's flagship green energy policy 'in tatters'

 

TVA continuing nuclear power push

http://www.parispi.net/opinion/editorials/article_38dc8cfe-32bf-11e4-8822-0019bb2963f4.html

Molten salt reactor technology is the future of nuclear power [Letter]

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bs-ed-nuclear-power-20140829,0,4832519.story#ixzz3CBZxV760

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bs-ed-nuclear-power-20140829,0,4832519.story

Saudis Announce Plan to Build 1st Nuclear Reactor

http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/09/02/saudis-announce-plan-to-build-1st-nuclear-reactor/

Fukushima Fallout: Resentment Grows in Nearby Japanese City

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fukushima-fallout-resentment-grows-in-nearby-japanese-city/

Mexico Is Poised for Energy Boom

Major reforms mean private and foreign firms will help tap more hydrocarbons, including natural gas

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mexico-is-poised-for-energy-boom/

New nuclear builds – news roundup

New nuclear builds – news roundup

http://neutronbytes.com/2014/09/01/new-nuclear-builds-news-roundup/

Romania, China to Sign Civilian Nuclear Agreement

Romania, China to Sign Civilian Nuclear Agreement

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2014/09/02/romania_2c00_-china-to-sign-civilian-nuclear-agreement-080201.aspx#.VAXz7Rm5I7A

Hierarchy of Nuclear Regulatory Requirements by Dave Lochbaum

Hierarchy of Nuclear Regulatory Requirements

http://allthingsnuclear.org/hierarchy-of-nuclear-regulatory-requirements/

Molten Salt Reactor Designed to be Commerical Success

http://atomicinsights.com/terrestrial-energy-molten-salt-reactor-designed-commercial-success/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtomicInsights+%28Atomic+Insights%29

This Map Shows Which Countries Prefer China Over The US

Read more: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/china/140826/map-shows-which-countries-prefer-china-the-us#ixzz3CAyfQkds

http://www.businessinsider.com/this-map-shows-which-countries-prefer-china-over-the-us-2014-9?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1

Regulating India’s nuclear estate

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/lead-article-regulating-indias-nuclear-estate/article6360984.ece

Cavendish Fluor takes over UK nuclear sites

Cavendish Fluor takes over UK nuclear sites

Fukushima gov. officially OK’s N-waste storage

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001537568

Jinxed Finnish nuclear plant to function almost a decade late: Areva

Jinxed Finnish nuclear plant to function almost a decade late: Areva

Fukushima accepts 'temporary' radioactive waste storage

Fukushima accepts 'temporary' radioactive waste storage

UN climate chief says 'door closing' on warming fix

UN climate chief says 'door closing' on warming fix

Fukushima workers to sue TEPCO for danger pay

Fukushima workers to sue TEPCO for danger pay

Sierra Nevada freshwater runoff could drop 26 percent by 2100

Sierra Nevada freshwater runoff could drop 26 percent by 2100

First fuel loaded at Fangjiashan 1

First fuel loaded at Fangjiashan 1
The process of loading fuel assemblies into the reactor core of unit 1 at the Fangjiashan plant in China's Zhejiang province has begun.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-First-fuel-loaded-at-Fangjiashan-1-0209144.html

Design completed for prototype fast reactor

Design completed for prototype fast reactor
Russian power engineering R&D institute NIKIET has completed the engineering design for the BREST-300 lead-cooled fast reactor. http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Design-completed-for-prototype-fast-reactor-0209147.html
 

China's new nuclear baby

China's new nuclear baby
China has formally launched its first indigenous nuclear power reactor design, with some French ancestry but born of two major internecine contests, writes Ian Hore-Lacy.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/E-Chinas-new-nuclear-baby-0209141.html

US NRC Blog Update: The NRC Information Digest Knowledge Hunt

The NRC Information Digest Knowledge Hunt

Leave a comment Posted by Moderator on September 2, 2014

Ivonne Couret

Public Affairs Officer

 

Today marks the debut of the 26th edition of the NRC Information Digest — an award winning publication that provides a summary of information about us and the industries we regulate. The Digest is used by a wide array of people, including the public, industry stakeholders, government agencies and the media. It strives to provide a handy primer of the agency’s regulatory responsibilities and licensing activities.
The Digest includes some of the quick facts and short answers to commonly asked questions about the NRC. Here are some of the questions for which you can find answers in the Digest.

1. What is the statutory authority that created the independent NRC from a portion of the former Atomic Energy Commission and what day did this agency begin its operation? Hint – NRC: An Independent Regulatory Agency section, page 4
2. What is the renewal date for our international agreement with the United Kingdom? Hint – U.S. and Worldwide Nuclear Energy section, page 23

3. How many current operating nuclear reactors are there and in what section can you find a listing of the operating nuclear reactors and their general licensing information? Hint – Nuclear Reactors section, page 33

4. What is the total number of material licenses in NRC Jurisdiction? Hint – Nuclear Materials section, page 65

5. What are the names of the nuclear reactors currently undergoing decommissioning in DECON status? Hint – Radioactive Waste section, page 95

We’re always interested in what you have to say about the Info Digest as we continue to work to make it better and more useful. Let us know with your comments below or send us an email at opa.resource@nrc.gov.

Answers:

1. The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 created the NRC from a portion of the former Atomic Energy Commission. The new agency was to independently oversee—but not promote—the commercial nuclear industry. The agency began operations on January 18, 1975.
2. 2018
3. 100 reactors and Appendix A begins on 116
4. 2,857
5. LaCrosse, Zion 1 & 2 and Humboldt Bay 3

Power Engineering's Top Stories 9/2

Top Stories
	Duke Energy to retire W.C. Beckjord Station coal-fired units Duke Energy announced Thursday that the company will retire the remaining coal-fired units, 5 and 6, at its W.C. Beckjord Station in New Richmond, Ohio, effective Sept. 1. Read More Share:
	Xcel Energy defends $665mn Monticello plant project Xcel Energy says customers should pay for the overrun costs of a $665 million project to rebuild a power plant in Monticello. Read More Share:
	DOE settles used nuclear fuel storage lawsuit for $23.5mn Energy Northwest (EN) won a $23.5 million settlement from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the construction and licensing of a used nuclear fuel storage area at the Columbia Generating Station in Washington. Read More Share:

From our Sponsor

Highest g-force separation for Power Plants GEA Westfalia Separator eagleclass separators provide fuel, lube, oily water and sludge treatment options at power plants worldwide with capacities of up to 80m³ /hr per separator. Their robust design, offers savings in energy consumption and maintenance costs. Read more >

Industry News
	Westinghouse to replace nuclear fuel at Oskarshamn power plant Westinghouse Electric Co. will provide replacement nuclear fuel deliveries for three units at the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant in Sweden. Read More Share:
	Kudankulam nuclear unit may begin commercial operations next month The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) expects to begin commercial operations of the first unit at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in September. Read More Share:
	Fluor completes 170 MW solar energy facility in California Fluor Corp. has completed the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning for LS Power’s Centinela Solar Energy Facility located near El Centro, California. Read More Share:

More Headlines
• Minnesota Power, National Guard to build 10 MW solar energy project
• Pacific Nuclear Council names two new officers
• Westinghouse contests S. Africa nuclear steam generator replacement contract
• US fund in deal to build Myanmar solar plants
• NRC says no safety issues to impede nuclear power plant license renewal
• First nuclear reactor in UAE more than halfway complete
• GE opens fuel cell facility in New York
• SunEdison, TerraForm Power bring solar energy to California prison, hospital
• Chint Power Systems America provides solar power to Texas homeless shelter

Electric cars could drive utility power demand

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-cars-could-drive-utility-power-demand/304015/

Colorado finds itself an earthquake lab amid gas boom

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/09/01/colorado-finds-itself-an-earthquake-lab-amid-gas-boom/

Researchers at work on using liquid nitrogen instead of water in fracturing

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/09/01/researchers-working-on-a-way-to-use-liquid-nitrogen-instead-of-water-in-fracturing/

Crude oil rides Texas’ rails with little tracking

Crude oil rides Texas’ rails with little tracking

by FuelFix.com, 8 hours ago

For generations of producers drillers in Texas, where a vast pipeline system has grown with the fits and starts of the oil industry's notorious business cycle,.. http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/09/01/crude-oil-rides-texas-rails-with-little-tracking/

Black Sea Oil Claims Before and After Russia Annexed Crimea

Black Sea Oil Claims Before and After Russia Annexed Crimea

The significance of the annexation of Crimea by Russia goes far beyond land territorial claims. Here are a couple of maps that show how Crimea affects oil rights in the black sea.

Read more at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/09/black-sea-oil-claims-before-and-after.html#s50TpXCHOkeqpiSz.99

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/09/black-sea-oil-claims-before-and-after.html

Lack Of Water Could Limit Oil And Gas Development In Energy-Rich Nations

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/09/02/3477800/water-oil-gas-development-report/

China winning from Russia-Ukraine crisis

China winning from Russia-Ukraine crisis

http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2014/09/01/china-emerges-as-winner-from-russia-ukraine-crisis/

FAS Roundup: September 2, 2014

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Worldwide Deployment of Nuclear Weapons Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project, and Robert Norris, Senior Fellow for Nuclear Policy, estimate that there are approximately 16,300 nuclear weapons located at  98 sites in 14 countries. Roughly 10,000 of these weapons are in military arsenals; the remaining weapons are retired and awaiting dismantlement. Approximately 4,000 are operationally available, and 1,800 are on high alert and ready for use on short notice. In the latest Nuclear Notebook published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Kristensen and Norris examine the storage sites of deployed weapons in the nine nuclear countries. Read the article here.    From the Blogs Gov't Resists Court Review of State Secrets: It is “not appropriate” for a court to conduct its own independent review of evidence that the government asserts is protected by the state secrets privilege, attorneys for the government argued last week. They were objecting to an order that was issued in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the “no fly” list in the case of Gulet Mohamed v. Eric Holder. On August 6, Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia ordered the government to submit for in camera review a copy of all documents and testimony relevant to the case that it asserts fall under the state secrets privilege. The 2014 Ebola Outbreak and More from CRS: Secrecy News has obtained recently released CRS reports on topics such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, long range ballistic missiles and existing laws relating to climate change.  Call for Submissions: Public Interest Report Articles  FAS welcomes article submissions for future issues of the PIR; if interested please submit a one paragraph abstract regarding scientific and policy issues of concern related to catastrophic threats including biological and nuclear weapons, homeland security and natural disasters. Abstract should be no more than 500 words and feature relevant content; please include biography with submission. The submission deadline for the Fall 2014 issue is September 19, 2014. Please submit abstract via email to pir@fas.org. If selected, authors will be asked to submit an article on the chosen topic (less than 3,000 words) for publication in future issue. FAS in the News Aug 27: Business Insider, "Here's Where We Think The World's Nukes Are Stored- And What It Says About Global Security" Aug 27: Press TV, "China's Nuke Power Growing: US Report" Aug 25: Physics Today, "Ernest Moniz Asked To Intervene In Firing of Los Alamos National Laboratory Scientist"  Aug 22: Science, "Science Group Asks U.S. Energy Secretary To Intervene In Case Of Fired Los Alamos Researcher"

Fukushima Crisis Continues, Was Worse Than First Reported

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/25644-fukushima-crisis-continues-was-worse-than-first-reported