Colombian court reverses order to suspend gas well off Caribbean coast
On Wednesday, a Colombian court overturned a previous court order that was issued last month, which had suspended operations at Sirius-2 (formerly known as Uchuva-2), a major offshore gas well. The ruling was issued on October 29, following a complaint from Indigenous communities that their way of living would be negatively affected by the development of the well. Industry groups…
Indonesia targets increased liquefied gas production, regulator says
Indonesia wants to increase its liquefied gas production by 1 million tons per year in order to reduce the amount of cooking fuel imported, said the head of Indonesia's upstream oil regulator on Tuesday. The new president Prabowo Subianto has pledged that he will achieve energy independence through biofuels and oil and gas production. He cited the rising geopolitical uncertainty which could affect supply.
Prabowo wants to increase Indonesia's energy independence through biofuels and oil and gas reforms
Officials have stated that Indonesia's new Government aims to revitalize oil and gas production. They plan to reduce regulations, reactivate inactive wells, and increase output in producing assets to reverse a decades-long drop in output.The new president, Prabowo Subianto, took his oath on Sunday. He also plans to continue the efforts of the previous administration to exploit the massive gas finds in South Andaman…
Iraq wants U.S. gas investment as part of new energy-independence projects
He announced that Iraq will offer 10 gas exploration block to U.S. firms during a visit to the United States by Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani. Baghdad is trying to bring U.S. investors into its energy sector after previous rounds of licensing where Chinese firms dominated the available fields. Iraqi state-run media announced that the 10 gas blocks left unclaimed after six licensing rounds will be offered in a fresh bidding round.
First tender for investment in wind and solar plants seeks to attract Moldovan investors
Moldova has launched its first bid for wind and solar energy plants as part of its efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian power. "Opening the market to investors for renewable energy development is another important step in ensuring greater security of energy for Moldova," said Energy Minister Victor Parlicov. The development of renewables is a step towards achieving energy independence in Moldova.
USA Ups BOEM Offshore Wind Budget
The Trump Administration has proposed a $189m fiscal year 2021 budget for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), designating just under $27m for offshore wind.The FY 2021 budget includes approximately $26.5 million to advance offshore renewable energy development.In recognition of the role renewable energy can play in securing the Nation’s energy independence and supporting economic growth…
US Nearing Energy Independence
In just a few months, the U.S. will be fully energy independent and by 2030, the country's total primary energy production will outpace primary energy demand by 30 percent.According to the Norwegian market research consultancy Rystad Energy, this milestone follows a strong period of growth in both hydrocarbon and renewable resources."We forecast that the US will have primary energy surplus – and not a deficit – by February or March 2020…
Trump Nominates Brouillette as New Energy Secretary
The U.S. Department of Energy said on Thursday that President Donald Trump had formally nominated Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, a former vice president of Ford Motor Co and Louisiana state energy regulator, to head the department.If confirmed by the Senate, Brouillette will replace Rick Perry, who said last month he would step down by the end of the year. He is expected to keep advancing Trump's policy of maximizing oil…
DTEK to Develop the Zinkivska Block
DTEK Oil&Gas and its subsidiaries have been selected as winners in a competition for the largest Product Sharing Agreement (PSA) in Ukrainian history. Subsequent to signing the PSA, the company will invest over $37 million into the development of Zinkivska block.DTEK Oil&Gas plans to reanalyze previously attained data from dynamic gas studies, 3D wide-azimuth seismic studies as well as drill three prospecting wells.
Waterborne Signs MoU with Hydrogen Europe
Hydrogen Europe and the Waterborne Technology Platform signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 13 May 2019 to foster opportunities of hydrogen based fuels as part of zero-emission waterborne transport.The European research and innovation platform for waterborne industries said in a press release that this MoU will help both parties to identify opportunities for hydrogen-related…
Sempra Energy's Port Arthur LNG in Pact with PGNiG
Poland's state-owned gas company Polish Oil & Gas Company (PGNiG) and Port Arthur LNG, LLC, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, have entered into a definitive 20-year sale-and-purchase agreement for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Port Arthur LNG liquefaction-export facility under development in Jefferson County, Texas. The agreement defines basic terms and conditions of a 20-year…
Tajikistan Starts Up First Turbine in Dam Set to be World's Tallest
Tajikistan started the first turbine of its Rogun hydroelectric power plant on Friday, part of a dam project that aims to secure the Central Asian nation's energy independence.The former Soviet republic issued its first Eurobond last year to help finance the project, which will include the world's tallest dame when it is completed in 2026.Italy's Salini Impregilo won a $3.9 billion contract…
Rising Oil Prices Boost US Economy
U.S. net petroleum imports have fallen to the lowest level in more than half a century as a result of the shale revolution, which is profoundly changing the impact higher oil prices have on the economy. Since the 1860s, the United States has been the world’s largest producer and consumer of oil, which means it has a complicated relationship with oil prices. Rising oil prices benefit some businesses and workers at the expense of others…
Energy Summit Climate Discussion Becomes Contentious
The U.S. energy secretary blasted renewable fuels champions on Wednesday while the head of Royal Dutch Shell urged the energy sector to focus on world efforts to cut carbon emissions, revealing a yawning trans-Atlantic gap on climate issues. Speaking at the CERAWeek conference by IHS Markit in Houston, Shell CEO Ben van Beurden outlined an ambitious plan to reduce the Anglo-Dutch company's carbon footprint and expand in renewables, and called on others to follow.
Trump, US Senators to Discuss Renewable Fuels
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Republican senators on Thursday to discuss his commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard, the White House said. "He will listen to the concerns of senators who represent these workers, with the hope of finding common ground on both sides of this debate in order to achieve energy independence, provide affordable energy for consumers, create jobs and economic opportunity," said Lindsay Walters, a White House spokeswoman.
U.S. Biofuels Mandates Under High Stakes Scrutiny
U.S. biofuels regulations, which mandate mixing corn-based ethanol into gasoline, have lately drawn together a diverse cast of political opponents. They include an upstart gas station owners' trade group, a former Obama administration environmental adviser and billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, who owns a refiner and served as U.S. President Donald Trump's special advisor on business regulation - until he resigned Friday amid allegations of a conflict of interest.
Trump Signs Order Sweeping away Obama-era Climate Policies
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to undo a slew of Obama-era climate change regulations that his administration says is hobbling oil drillers and coal miners, a move environmental groups have vowed to take to court. The decree's main target is former President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan that required states to slash carbon emissions from power…
Trump Greenlights Keystone XL Pipeline, but Obstacles Loom
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration approved TransCanada Corp's Keystone XL pipeline on Friday, cheering the oil industry and angering environmentalists who had sought for years to block it. The approval reverses a decision by former President Barack Obama to reject the project, but fresh obstacles loom: To get built, TransCanada will need to win financing, acquire local permits, and fend off likely legal challenges.
As Trump Targets Energy Rules, Oil Companies Downplay their Impact
President Donald Trump’s White House has said his plans to slash environmental regulations will trigger a new energy boom and help the United States drill its way to independence from foreign oil. But the top U.S. oil and gas companies have been telling their shareholders that regulations have little impact on their business, according to a Reuters review of U.S. securities filings from the top producers. In annual reports to the U.S.
IEA Urges Poland to Clean Up its Energy Sector
Poland's new energy strategy should put the country on a pathway towards a cleaner energy system while strengthening energy security, the International Energy Agency said in its latest review of the country's energy policies. The forthcoming energy strategy is likely to prioritise long-term energy security, placing a strong emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution, increasing energy efficiency and decarbonising the transport system.
