Looking forward to 4th of July fireworks? Thank a sulfur recovery unit (SRU) operator. Sulfur is a key ingredient in the fuel that launches fireworks into the air, and generates dazzling displays.

Though sulfur does show up as a natural element in nature, most of what we use commercially is produced when it’s removed from oil, gas and refined products. Just one more way our industries make modern life possible (and brighter).

Enjoy this week’s news roundup!

-Charlie and the AFPM EMPOWER team

Have ideas for content, comments or questions? You can reach us at empower@afpm.org.

What we’re reading this week

EIA Reveals Latest USA Oil, Gas Proved Reserves Figures - RigZone
According to the report, which includes data up to 2023, U.S. crude oil and lease condensate proved reserves decreased 3.9 percent year over year from 2022, from 48.3 billion barrels to 46.4 billion barrels.

U.S. indicates easing of ethane export rules to China - Reuters
The U.S. sent letters to Enterprise Products and Energy Transfer informing the companies they could load ethane on vessels destined for China but could not unload the ethane in China without authorization, according to a person familiar with the matter and copy of one letter.

Iran-Israel conflict could herald new era of reduced energy risks: experts - S&P Global
The hesitation of Iran and Israel to disrupt crude supplies in their recent 12-day conflict – and the price declines that immediately followed Iran's muted response to the US's bombing of its nuclear facilities -- could hint at a new era of broadly reduced geopolitical risks for energy, experts and analysts said.

U.S. Oil Reserve Refill Pushed Back Seven Months - OilPrice.com
Crude oil deliveries to the strategic petroleum reserve will be delayed by seven months due to maintenance, the Department of Energy has said.

U.S. refining capacity largely unchanged as of January 2025 - EIA
According to our latest annual Refinery Capacity Report, U.S. operable atmospheric distillation capacity, the primary measure of refinery capacity, totaled 18.4 million barrels per calendar day (b/cd) on January 1, 2025—essentially flat compared with last year.