The story of how net metering and onsite residential solar is eating way utilities’ profit margins is getting old, so what can these companies do about it? This piece suggest two strategies. “Clean Power Finance’s new partnership with North American Power demonstrates one of two ways in which a retail electricity provider (REP) can profit from selling… Keep reading →
The battle over fracking in Colorado is heating up with major funding flowing into both sides of the debate. Several ballot initiatives regarding the oil and gas well completion technology will be voted on this November. Celebrities like Yoko Ono and wealthy activists including Tom Steyer are supporting anti-fracking legislation, or in many cases, laws… Keep reading →
As Russian president Vladimir Putin prepares to visit China, state-controlled Gazprom looks to be putting the finishing touches on a long-awaited gas supply contract to China. Negotiations have been ongoing for more than a decade, with price reportedly being the main sticking point. Chinese companies reluctant to pay European prices for Russian natural gas held… Keep reading →
On Tuesday, G7 energy ministers wrapped up a special meeting in Rome discussing how Europe, which relies on Russia for about one third of its natural gas supplies, could replace Russian natural gas. DW (Deutsche Welle) reports that the meeting of ministers from the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Italy, France, and Japan is “part of… Keep reading →
On Friday, President Obama met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House and seemed to dismiss the notion that Russia would “turn off the tap to Europe” by calling it “unrealistic”. He added that natural gas kept flowing even at the height of the Cold War. Both leaders appeared to be ready and… Keep reading →
Williams Partners subsidiary Transcontinental Pipeline will build a 1.2 million dekatherm per day expansion to supply the Cheniere Energy Partners Sabine Pass Liquefaction project being developed in Cameron Parish, La. “Gulf Trace is a pivotal project at an extremely important time for Transco and the U.S. natural gas industry as a whole,” said Rory Miller,… Keep reading →
For years analysts have estimated US LNG exports would likely materialize in the 4 to 6 billion cubic foot per day range, but much of the focus has more recently shifted to the regulatory process and backlog of projects seeking approval. The Houston Chronicle’s Jennifer A. Dlouhy shifts attention back to the complex financial juggling… Keep reading →
Outgoing Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni sees the volatile standoff between Western powers and Russia over the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine as a new low point for European energy security. Italian oil and gas company Eni serves as a conduit for gas sourced from Gazprom and delivered to European customers, a position that could be jeopardized… Keep reading →
The development of Arctic energy resources poses the potential for an energy security competition between the Great Powers and Arctic stakeholders that will alter the geopolitical climate. The hydrocarbon reserves – 25% of world deposits- available under the melting ice caps, and undiscovered oil and gas will see states shifting their economic and foreign policy… Keep reading →
Some banks are sticking it out in commodities as several others exit the business amid onerous regulations and decreasing profitability. The banks that stick around – including Goldman Sachs – face less competition. [Bloomberg] Putin feels emboldened by the fact that major western oil companies remain committed to Russia despite the current souring of relations… Keep reading →
