U.S. Rig Count, Keystone XL Permit: Your Daily Energy News

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News highlights gathered by Industrial Info and IIR Energy (Sugar Land, Texas) dealing with the energy markets.

PRODUCTION
U.S. Rig Count Declines - U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating to an all-time low for a second week. The rig count fell by 35 to a record low of 339 in the week to May 15. The prior all-time low was 374 rigs in the week ended May 8. (Reuters)

PIPELINES
Appeals Court Declines to Block Keystone XL Permit Ruling - The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rejected an appeal to halt a lower court ruling that barred the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permit 12, which could affect the construction of Keystone XL and other U.S. oil and gas pipelines. (Various)

CRUDE OIL
U.S. Oil Shipment Heads to Belarus - The U.S. has launched its first cargo of crude oil to Belarus. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, became involved in a row with Moscow earlier this year over the price it pays for Russian oil. The dispute has since been concluded, but Belarus has said it wants to diversify its oil imports. (Reuters)

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About IIR Energy
Energy asset information on power plants, oil refineries and natural gas infrastructure is now more important than ever. A unit of Industrial Info Resources, IIR Energy provides infrastructure information on these assets, as well as real-time tracking of planned and unplanned interruptions affecting the trading, logistics and marketing communities. We are the number one source for information about electricity outages, refinery turnarounds and midstream natural gas disruptions.

About Industrial Info
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com.