February 3rd 2020

YOUR WEEKLY JOLT

Holy Come Back! According to Merriam-Webster, the term come back means “to return to life or vitality.” Um, yeah. That pretty much describes the Kansas City Chief’s victory in Super Bowl LIV last night. The total combined yardage of the Chief’s final three touchdown drives of the game was a staggering 190 and was more than the 175 total yards they had up to that point in the game. Kansas City’s win marked the end of a 50-year Super Bowl drought for the Chiefs.

While we’re talking numbers, it’s worth pointing out the Chief’s had to overcome a double-digit deficit to secure a win for the third time this postseason. And lastly, quarterback Patrick Mahomes made history by becoming the youngest player in NFL history to win Super Bowl MVP honors.

We’re just glad that Super Bowl lived up to its name. Speaking of expectations, here’s this week’s Jolt.


Heating Oil

  • Prompt-month heating oil futures decreased 2.75% for the week ending Friday, 1/31, as prices fell $0.0447 per gallon.
  • On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude futures for delivery in March closed at $51.56 per barrel on Friday, 1/31, down 2.57% for the day, and down 7.43% for the week.

Why So Crude? Crude oil prices continued to slide last week and were down again on Monday, trading around $50 a barrel. The coronavirus remained a significant factor in reducing crude oil demand in China and creating a bearish attitude among investors. Nearly every major Chinese industry experienced lost output, with Morgan Stanley projecting a 75,000 barrel a day drop in China’s 2020 oil demand growth if the virus keeps escalating. WTI crude fell nearly 16% on the month, its worst performance since May 2019. The Baker Hughes oil rig count decreased last week, going from 676 to 675 and indicating reduced domestic production.


Natural Gas

  • Prompt-month natural gas futures decreased $0.029 for the week ending Friday, 1/31, to settle at $1.841/Dth.
  • Overall supply decreased by 0.9 Bcf from the previous week. Total demand decreased by 8.7 Bcf.
  • Natural gas exports in November 2019 were 440,193 million cubic feet, compared with 337,716 million cubic feet in November 2018. This is a 30.34% increase.
  • Net withdrawals from storage totaled 201 Bcf, compared with the 5 year average net withdrawal of 143 Bcf and last year’s net withdrawal of 171 Bcf during the same week.
  • Working gas stocks total 2,746 Bcf, coming in 193 Bcf more than the five-year average and 524 Bcf more than last year at this time.

Where’s Winter? Natural gas futures closed lower last week, but higher on Friday. The selling pressure throughout the week represented the headwinds from the weak winter weather season. – Yahoo Finance


Electricity

  • Average peak prices in NYC decreased last week, falling $20.80 to $26.24 per MWh.
  • Average peak prices in Central NY’s Zone C decreased, falling $8.73 to $20.07 per MWh.
  • Average peak prices in New Jersey’s PSE&G decreased, falling $13.02 to $20.92 per MWh.
  • Average peak prices in New Jersey’s ACE decreased, falling $13.09 to $20.32 per MWh.
  • Average peak prices in Pennsylvania’s PPL decreased, falling $11.92 to $20.06 per MWh.
  • Average peak prices in Maryland’s BGE decreased, falling $4.96 to $28.05 per MWh.
  • Calendar 2020 prices in NYC decreased $0.45 per MWh, and Zone C prices decreased $0.26 per MWh.
  • Calendar 2020 prices in PSE&G decreased $0.28 per MWh, and ACE prices decreased $0.25 per MWh.
  • Calendar 2020 prices in PPL decreased $0.26 per MWh.

Trash To Electricity? Australia’s landfills are reaching capacity, forcing leaders there to find new solutions — ones that involve turning waste into electricity. – Forbes


Technology

Super Tech! Tech giants did not disappoint when it came to commercials during the Super BowlIn case you missed it, check out Tech Radar’s list of best and worst. – Tech Radar


Marathon Cares

Making A Difference! Marathon’s own Lauren Henophy created a foundation in her brother’s name, The Jeremy P. Kearns Foundation, after his tragic death working as a lineman. The foundation is dedicated to assisting IBEW families struck by tragedies and continuing education in aviation and line work. For more information about this foundation or to attend upcoming events click here.

Remember, if you or your company are involved in helping your community, please let us know by emailing us here. After all, Marathon Cares.