- Brent crude futures were up 99 cents, or 1.3%, at $75.41 a barrel at press time, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose $1.08, or 1.5%, to $72.02.
- California regulators haven’t approved permits for fracking since February, effectively phasing out the process ahead of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2024 deadline to end it. The state’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) has rejected an unprecedented 109 fracking permits in 2021, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. That’s the most denials the division has issued in a single year since California began permitting fracking in 2015. Fifty of the permits, mostly from Bakersfield-based Aera Energy, were denied based solely on climate change concerns.
- U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. announced that its Industrial and Specialty Products business will increase prices for most of its non-contracted silica sand, aplite, diatomaceous earth and clay products used primarily in glass, foundry, paints, coatings, elastomers, roofing, chemicals, recreation, building products, agricultural, pet litter and other applications. Price increases will range from 6% to 14%, depending on the product and grade, and go into effect for shipments beginning Feb. 1, 2022.