India launches its first national policy on geothermal power
India launched Monday its first national policy for geothermal power, joining the growing list of countries that are relying on underground heat to drive their clean energy transitions. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in India said that the policy is designed to unlock India's geothermal potential, which has been untapped. This will be done through incentives and regulations.
Alaskans fear higher energy prices as Trump drills
Alaskans spend nearly two times as much on electricity as the national average. Matt Goodnow, financial counselor at a hospital located in Homer, Alaska, a fishing village on the Kenai Peninsula, said that higher energy costs would be detrimental to the community. The Trump administration is not only planning to eliminate federal funding for renewable energy projects and to remove tax breaks…
China's fossil-fueled power generation in August rose to its highest level in decades
Data and records from the Statistics Bureau showed that China's fossil-fuelled electricity generation in August rose to its highest since at least 1998. This was to compensate for a fall in hydropower production to meet summer demands, according to data. The rise in demand was a result of China's most extreme summer ever, which increased air conditioning use.
China's crude oil output in August is up 7.6% on a year-on-year basis
China's crude throughput in August increased 7.6% compared to a year ago, official data revealed on Monday. State-owned refineries also maintained high operating rates. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the world's second largest oil consumer processed approximately 14.94 million barrels of crude per day in August.
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.
ADNOC sells stakes in listed companies to XRG, the international arm of ADNOC
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced on Thursday that it had transferred its shares in a number of its listed subsidiaries, to XRG International Investments, its international investment division for which it has ambitious plans for growth. The state-owned oil giant stated that the transfers of stakes, which include ADNOC Distribution…
Sources: Swiss gold refining plans add sparkle to Trump's trade deal
Two people with knowledge of the situation say that Switzerland wants to build a gold refinery or increase its processing capacity in the United States as part a plan to lower U.S. tariffs. Donald Trump imposed 39% tariffs on Swiss imports as a result of the U.S.-Swiss trade deficit on August 7, 2018. Switzerland had scrapped its industrial tariffs in January.
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)…
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.
State media report that Malaysia's deputy PM claims Petronas was threatened to "burn" LNG facilities
According to state media, the Malaysian authorities issued a security warning for liquefied gas facilities after an employee of state energy company Petronas was threatened by telephone to burn them down. Petronas or Petroliam Nasional Berhad confirmed that it is working with the authorities following a directive from the National Security Council to tighten security at LNG facilities in Sarawak on Monday.
Mexico's budget deficit will be lower by 2026, as the economy grows.
The Finance Ministry said in its budget proposal on Monday that Mexico expects the budget deficit to drop to 4.10% in 2026, due to the expected growth of the GDP. The government is under pressure to reduce the deficit. It now expects to close 2025 with 4.32%. At the same time, it has pledged to increase social programs and strengthen the finances of the heavily indebted oil company Pemex.
Halliburton cuts workforce as oil activity declines, sources claim
Halliburton, a U.S. oilfield service provider, has cut staff in recent months, according to sources who are familiar with the issue. This is the latest reduction of workforce in the U.S. petroleum industry, which faces increasing costs, a period when prices have dropped and there is volatility. The global benchmark Brent crude…
White House review of waiver plan for biofuel pits refiners against farmers
The White House is reviewing an important rule that could change the balance between oil refiners, farmers and the Renewable Fuel Standard. It will determine how to redistribute large volumes of biofuel blend obligations that have been recently exempted. The result, which is expected in the next few weeks, will determine what happens to billions of gallons U.S. demand for ethanol and biodiesel.
Russell: ADNOC must offer more than just money to make the Santos deal work.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's (ADNOC) $18.7billion bid for Australian liquefied gas producer Santos faces a much higher hurdle than the money offered. The politics surrounding the deal, which would represent Australia's biggest-ever cash takeover in history, are becoming increasingly difficult to overcome. ADNOC, Australia's second largest oil and gas company launched its bid in June…
Norwegians choose new parliament after a closely contested election clouded with geopolitical anxiety
Norwegians will head to the polls to elect a new Parliament on Sunday and Monday. It is a tight race between the left-wing Labour Party, which has been in power for many years, and the right-wing Progress Party and Conservatives. According to the average of polls taken this month by pollofpolls.no, centre-left parties Labour, Socialist Left and Communists are expected to win 87 seats.
Russell: ADNOC must offer more than just money to make the Santos deal work.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's (ADNOC) $18,7 billion bid for Australian liquefied gas producer Santos faces a much higher hurdle than the money offered. The politics surrounding the deal, which would represent Australia's biggest-ever cash takeover in history, are becoming increasingly difficult to overcome. ADNOC began its bid in June for Santos, Australia’s second largest oil and gas company.
Afentra signss terms for its first offshore operatorship
The London-listed oil and gas company Afentra announced on Thursday that it had signed a framework contract for its first operating license offshore Angola, in a block which has proven resources. Block 3/24 is a shallow-water oil and gas discovery with several identified exploration prospects. It is located near Afentra’s producing oil fields in Blocks 3/5 and 305A, as well as undeveloped discoveries.
Workers Strike at Fluxys Dunkirk LNG terminal
Workers began a three-day strike over pay at Belgian gas terminal operator Fluxys' Dunkirk liquefied natural gas terminal late on Monday evening, part of a broader action in the power and gas sector focused on pensions and wages.The Dunkirk LNG terminal is the second largest in continental Europe and the only terminal directly…
Workers strike at Fluxys Dunkirk LNG terminal in Belgium
The Dunkirk terminal of Belgian gas terminal operator Fluxys began a 3-day strike on Monday night over wages. This was part of an action in the energy and gas sector that focused on wages and pensions. Dunkirk LNG is Europe's second-largest terminal and the only one directly connected to Belgium and France, which accounts for around 20% of their annual gas consumption.
Energy Dept. report lacks merit, say 85 scientists Climate report is a sham
On Tuesday, more than 85 leading climate scientists said that the recent climate assessment of the Trump Energy Department used to justify a relaxation of federal greenhouse gas regulations does not meet standards of scientific integrity. The group, led by professors Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M University (TX A&M) and Robert Kopp of Rutgers University (Rutgers University)…