U.S. refineries hit record-high levels
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Refinery runs averaged a record high 17.7 million barrels per day from May 20 to 26, before dropping slightly to 17.5 and 17.6 million bpd the following two weeks, respectively. Refinery runs have only eclipsed 17 million bpd 24 times since 1990, according to PennEnergy.
Although refineries have been experiencing record-high inputs, utilization didn’t reach a new high because capacity has increased by 659,000 barrels per day since mid-August 2015. The same week refinery runs reached a record high, refinery utilization reached 95 percent, which was only slightly lower than the levels in mid-July through mid-August 2015.
Refinery capacity represents the amount of input that a crude oil distillation unit can process in a 24-hour period under usual operating conditions.
Learn more: PennEnergy > U.S. refineries are running at record-high levels
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.