Above-ground Risk

Norwegian-UK Gas Pipeline Laid In the North Sea

Major oil and gas companies’ recent record of bringing large projects on stream within projected timeframes and budgets leaves much to be desired. Ernst & Young analyzed the performance of 365 megaprojects – those costing over $1 billion – and found 64% face cost overruns and 73% face delays. See Kashagan in Kazakhstan as one… Keep reading →

Obama's New Proposed Regulations On Coal Energy Production Met With Ire Through Kentucky's Coal Country

A proposed coal export terminal in Oregon was denied a permit because the project would cause harm to tribal fisheries along the Columbia River. “Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) applauded the state agency’s rejection of the permit, telling the Oregonian, ‘Columbia River tribes have fundamental rights to these fisheries,’ and any project that threatens those… Keep reading →

The Kremlin is reflected in the polished

Western sanctions against strategic portions of Russia’s economy are ratcheting up in the aftermath of a passenger jet crash in a section of Eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-supported rebels. The Malaysian jet was brought down by a surface-to-air missile that appears to have been supplied by Russia to rebels operating in the region who are… Keep reading →

Yangon Economy Expands As Reforms Allow Business Growth

  In the last article of Breaking Energy’s series on Myanmar, we take a look at the state of foreign investment. For more on the challenges facing the government and how the country uses electricity, see the first article. For details on the government’s pricing structure and demand projections, see the second article. While residents… Keep reading →

Life On Inle Lake In Myanmar

In the second part of our series on Myanmar’s power sector, Breaking Energy takes a look at the pricing structure and future demand projections. Both are integral to understanding the third installment on independent power producers (IPPs) and foreign direct investment (FDI). See the first installment on challenges facing the newly-democratic nation here. The government… Keep reading →

Tensions Grow In Crimea As Diplomatic Talks Continue

Ukraine’s political crisis continues, with Russian troops in Crimea, reformist forces in power in Kiev, and Europe, the US and Russia vying to broker a lasting solution. Just below the surface is the critical issue of natural gas. Europe gets approximately one-third of its gas from Russia and the majority passes through Ukraine. Will Ukraine… Keep reading →

OPEC Ministers Attend Conference In Iran

A few years ago international oil companies were sharpening their drill bits in anticipation of re-entering Iraq’s post-Saddam Hussein oil industry, and now a similar situation is developing in Iran as plans to ease western-led economic sanctions progress. Potential investment opportunities in Iran – from upstream oil and gas to petrochemicals – have IOCs paying… Keep reading →