The agency's head claims that Colombian oil and gas reserves are expected to increase this year.
The head of Colombia's hydrocarbons department said on Tuesday that the country's oil and natural gas reserves are likely to grow in comparison with the previous year. Colombian oil reserves are expected to reach 2.04 billion barrels in 2024 - enough for 7.2 years' worth of consumption. Orlando Velandia said the agency was predicting crude prices would close the year around $70 a barrel. He said that if this is the case, then the agency will not have to reduce its reserve estimates. Brent crude closed Tuesday at $68.47 a barrel.
GCL, a Chinese polysilicon company, raises capital to support supply-side reform
GCL Technology, a Chinese company, announced on Tuesday its intention to issue shares in order to raise funds for supply-side changes to polysilicon. Polysilicon is a component of solar cells. GCL said it would use the estimated HK$3.505billion ($450.66m) proceeds from the share issuance to "establish a capital reserves for reforming the supply side in order to promote structural adjustment of the polysilicon production capability", as well for growing other business areas, according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing.
Sentinel Midstream’s deepwater oil export project is granted an air permit by the EPA
On Monday, the U.S. Environmental regulator announced that it had granted an air permit to Sentinel Midstream for its proposed deepwater oil project off Texas' coast. According to a press release, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued a permit under the Clean Air Act that permits the use of auxiliary vessels to control volatile organic compounds at the proposed Texas GulfLink deepwater terminal. U.S. president Donald Trump wants to see projects approved faster, especially those that boost the U.S. oil and gas industry.
Germany is planning to stop using fixed-term contracts for renewable energy installations
According to the Economy Ministry, Germany will no longer use long-term fixed-price contracts for buying power from new renewable energies installations. However, it will continue to support this sector. The critics of fixed feed-in rates say that they are too expensive for the government and energy consumers, and that renewable industries have been established enough to be subjected to market forces. The economy ministry announced that alternative financing models will be examined.
Andy Home, recycling pioneer, races to close rare earths scrap gaps
This question is more urgent now than ever after China restricted its exports in the first half of this year. The move sent shockwaves throughout Western manufacturing chains. The race to create domestic mine-to magnet supply chains is accelerating, especially in the United States. Here, the Department of Defense has taken a direct stake, MP Materials, the operator of the only rare earths mining facility in the country, and guaranteed a minimum price for the products. Old laptops, powertools and smartphones are all part of the solution.
US EPA proposes to end mandatory greenhouse gas reporting
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule on Friday to end the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by 8,000 facilities. This program, the EPA said, was burdensome for businesses but left the public in the dark about the environmental impact. The rule is a response to an executive order that was issued on the first day of President Donald Trump's presidency. It aims to remove barriers to unleashing U.S. Energy, especially fossil fuels.
Andy Home, recycling pioneers racing to close rare earths scrap gaps
This question is more urgent now than ever after China restricted its exports in the first half of this year. The move sent shockwaves throughout Western manufacturing chains. The race to create domestic mine-to magnet supply chains is accelerating, especially in the United States. Here, the Department of Defense has taken a direct stake, MP Materials, the operator of the only rare earths mining facility in the country, and guaranteed a minimum price for the products. Old laptops, powertools and smartphones are all part of the solution.
IEA reduces 2030 low-emission hydrogen production forecast by almost a quarter
The International Energy Agency reported on Friday that a wave of cancellations as well as cost pressures and policy uncertainties have reduced the projected 2030 development by almost a quarter. The IEA's Global Hydrogen Review states that the IEA expects to produce 37 million metric tonnes of low-carbon fuel per year by 2030. This is down from 49 millions a year ago as developers have shelved plans or delayed them. It added that the actual output may be lower, as not all projects announced are completed.
Viridien, Mantle8 Partner to Accelerate Hydrogen Exploration Across EMEA
Viridien, a technology, digital and Earth data company, and Mantle8, a French geoscience company focused on natural hydrogen exploration, have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate hydrogen exploration across the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region.The partnership gives Mantle8 access to GeoVerse, Viridien’s geological database, to support natural hydrogen exploration in EMEA. In addition, Mantle8 has selected Sercel, Viridien’s Sensing & Monitoring business…
Octopus Energy, a British company, partners with a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer
Octopus Energy, Britain's biggest electricity supplier, has signed a contract with Chinese wind turbine maker Ming Yang Smart Energy. This could lead to the installation of the first Chinese-made turbines in Britain. The UK is trying to increase its renewable energy to meet climate targets, but it is also struggling with rising project costs as well as high electricity prices. The companies will explore the use of Ming Yang Smart Energy technology in Octopus Energy’s plans to develop 6 gigawatts through its Winder initiative.
Technip Energys purchases Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts for $556 Million
Technip Energies, a French energy infrastructure firm, announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement to purchase the Advanced Materials & Catalysts division of U.S. chemicals group Ecovyst for $556m. The shares rose over 4% at first trading. The agreement will see the company, which specializes in technology for energy, acquire two entities, Advanced Silicas and Zeolyst International, as part of its complementary segment, Technology, Products and Services.
India offers large incentives for carbon capture as coal remains a major part of the energy mix
India is planning to launch a national initiative to capture carbon dioxide with significant government incentives as it tries to balance its rising energy demands with climate goals, while still relying heavily on coal. Rajnath Ram said that the initiative, which aims to promote carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), could provide funding support ranging between 50% and 100% for selected projects. The CCUS technology captures CO2 at the point of emissions and stores it underground.
Industry official: Japan will start planning floating wind testing centre next year
A senior industry official announced that Japan will begin planning for a floating national wind test centre in 2019. The official vowed to continue on the path of wind energy growth despite recent setbacks, such as Mitsubishi quitting three projects. Last month, Mitsubishi-led consortiums dropped plans to build three offshore windmills that won Japan's first large state auction in 2021. This was a blow for the sector which is seen as crucial to reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Taiwan's offshore projects will move into deeper waters and require more state support
Industry officials and analysts say that Taiwan's attempt to boost its offshore wind market will require a huge amount of government support to help prospective suppliers achieve their capacity goals, as projects are moved to deeper, more technically challenging waters. The island's densely-populated population, which was long dependent on coal power, has quadrupled the wind power capacity from 1 gigawatt to 4 GW, up from less than 1 before the COVID-19 epidemic. It aims to have 60% of its power derived from renewable sources by 2050.
Analysts say that ConocoPhillips’ deep-seated layoffs demonstrate the need for capital discipline.
Investors and analysts have said that ConocoPhillips needs to focus more on its capital discipline and its investment priorities to be competitive against its peers, as oil prices are falling and revenues are also declining. This comes after the company announced it was laying off up to 25 percent of its staff in order to reduce costs. ConocoPhillips, the third largest U.S. oil company, has joined majors Chevron, BP and SLB, as well as the world's two largest oil service companies, Halliburton and SLB, in cutting its staff.
Italy may struggle to achieve 2030 green goals according to a study
A study released on Saturday showed that Italy may not be able to achieve the carbon emission targets set at EU level because of delays in green transition areas such as renewable energy generation and energy storage. The report prepared by the energy group Edison, and think tank TEHA, indicated that Italy would take 10 years longer to deploy renewables and storage facilities than anticipated, and this could prevent it from meeting EU decarbonisation targets for 2030.
Robinhood joins S&P 500, a watershed moment in the US fintech industry
Robinhood Markets has replaced casino operator Caesars Entertainment on the S&P 500 benchmark. This is a significant moment for the Financial Technology sector, as the retail trading platforms joins the ranks with the most influential U.S. firms. S&P Dow Jones Indices announced the inclusion on Friday. This is expected to increase demand for Robinhood stock, as index-tracking fund managers adjust their holdings. This also highlights…
China solar stocks rise on hope of a turnaround
China solar stocks rose in Friday's trading after a polysilicon manufacturer said that the industry has reached its bottom. Regulators also called for additional measures to increase sector revenue. Silicon wafers, which convert sunlight into electricity, are made from polysilicon. The government campaign to curb excessive and unsustainable competition between Chinese firms in order to increase solar prices was a major factor in driving up the stock price. GCL Technology Holdings shares closed Friday with a gain of more than 10%.
Trump is in favor of nuclear energy because it's'more American than wind and solar', a US official claims
The director of the U.S. Energy Dominance Council stated on Thursday that the Trump administration would be more inclined to provide loan guarantees and tax incentives for nuclear energy than wind or solar, because it was "more American". Jarrod Agen is the director of this White House council. He said that nuclear power will be more likely made with U.S. parts than wind or solar farms. Agen said that the administration would be more inclined to provide financial assistance from the U.S. Loan Programs Office and encourage tax incentives.
Document from the Politburo shows Vietnam is open to using small modules nuclear reactors
According to a document released by the Communist Party’s Politburo (the most powerful body in the country), Vietnam is open to the use of small module reactors to power its planned nuclear plants. Southeast Asia, a manufacturing hub in the region, seeks to increase its capacity for power generation to support an economy that is one of the fastest growing in the world. The document is available on the internet. It calls for a rapid development…