Argentina needs foreign technical and financial assistance to tap its considerable shale resources. Unable to access international debt and capital markets after a recent default, the country is restructuring legislation to make investment opportunities more attractive to international oil companies. [Reuters]

Global accounting firm Ernst & Young released its latest quarterly Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index that ranks the top 40 countries based on several energy market and technology-specific indicators. China reclaimed the top spot from the US. [Ernst & Young]

Scotland voters hit the polls today to decide whether to become and independent country or remain park of the UK. Oil factors heavily into the decision as perhaps up to 90% of North Sea reserves and associated government revenue would be claimed by the newly independent nation. However, strongly relying on oil revenue subject to commodity price volatility concerns many economists and analysts. [Wall Street Journal and Washington Post]