As recently as last year, only four countries in the world were producing commercial volumes of either natural gas from shale formations (shale gas) or crude oil from tight formations (tight oil): the United States and Canada, and more recently, Argentina and China. Beyond these four countries, other countries have started exploring and producing hydrocarbons from shale and other tight resources. Original link

Increased refinery runs—based on increases in both capacity and utilization—have helped accommodate increases in U.S. crude oil production. The United States' capacity to refine crude oil into petroleum products—measured as operable atmospheric crude distillation unit capacity—increased by 0.2% in 2014, reaching 18.0 million barrels per calendar day, according to EIA's recently released annual Refinery Capacity Report. Original link

In early April this year, Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany reached a framework agreement to guide negotiations targeting a comprehensive agreement by June 30. The comprehensive agreement could result in the lifting of crude oil-related sanctions against Iran, which in turn could result in an increase in Iran's crude oil production and exports. However, the ultimate decision and the timing that sanctions could be lifted are highly uncertain Original link

EERE offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, to training for the clean energy workforce. Webinars are free; however, advanced registration is typically required. You can also watch archived webinars and browse previously aired videos, slides, and transcripts. Original link

The Energy Department's Clean Energy Manufacturing Analysis Center (CEMAC) today announced the release of Automotive Lithium-ion Battery Supply Chain and U.S. Competitiveness Considerations, its first research product. Original link

Employment in oil and natural gas extraction and support activities in the United States reached nearly 538,000 in October 2014, but then declined by about 35,000 jobs, or 6.5%, over the following six months, through April 2015, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Original link

In recent years, higher domestic production of light, tight crude oil has led to a reduction in crude oil imports. Certain types of crude oil have been affected more than others; for example, the increased economic availability of domestic light, tight crude oil has virtually eliminated Gulf Coast imports of light crude oil. In the past year, Gulf Coast imports of medium crude oil have also fallen because of increased production from the Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Permian regions. Original link

Keep your family and your wallet happy this summer by properly maintaining your air conditioner and planning an energy efficient home cooling strategy. Original link

EERE offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, to training for the clean energy workforce. Original link

The Energy Department today announced up to $2 million to support aggregate purchasing models for plug-in electric and other alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, subsystems, components, alternative fuels, and refueling/charging infrastructure. Aggregated purchasing is when one central organization coordinates customers to maximize their collective buying power. Original link