International

Video: Experts Consider the Prospect of US Energy Independence

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The concept of the United States being energy independent has been around for decades, with the past 8 US presidents calling for it and even suggesting dates by when it might be achieved. However, the recent ramp up in domestic oil and gas production has drastically reduced oil imports and rejuvenated the discussion, with some believing the long sought-after goal could finally be around the corner.

Some have suggested that North American energy independence – including petroleum exports – is a more realistic pursuit. Others maintain energy security is what really matters and that it’s impossible and even undesirable to disconnect the US from the global oil market. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 19, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Coal Gasification: An Old Idea Gets Advanced Tech Rebirth in China

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For countries with lots of coal looking for clean alternatives to burning it, Synthesis Energy Systems has an answer: use that coal to run cars and make plastics.

That’s not only technically feasible, it’s actually being done commercially in China, Robert Rigdon, SES President and CEO, told Breaking Energy. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 13, 2012 at 9:00 AM

US to Become Biggest Oil Producer?

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The United States will overtake Saudi Arabia to become the world’s biggest oil producer before 2020, and will be energy independent 10 years later, according to a new forecast by the International Energy Agency. The recent resurgence in oil and gas production, and efforts to make the transport sector more efficient, are radically reshaping the nation’s energy market, reported Paris-based IEA in its World Energy Outlook. North America would become a net exporter of oil around 2030, the global organization said Monday. “The United States, which currently imports around 20% of its total energy needs, becomes all but self sufficient in net terms — a dramatic reversal of the trend seen in most other energy importing countries,” the IEA stated.

 /  Published November 12, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Can More ‘Europe’ Pave Germany’s Path to Renewables?

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The Berlin-based Heinrich Böll Foundation, a think tank close to Germany’s Greens, argues that Germany could – with the right policies – go 100% renewable by 2050, even as it phases out nuclear power and sticks to EU carbon emission limits.

Germany’s current target, embraced by the Merkel administration, is 80% clean energy by mid-century. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 12, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Canadian Prime Minister Harper ‘optimistic’ for U.S. pipeline approval http://huff.to/YQyvbJ

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Canadian Prime Minister Harper ‘optimistic’ for U.S. pipeline approval http://huff.to/YQyvbJ HuffPostGreen

 /  Published November 8, 2012 at 10:40 AM

Conference Highlights: USAEE Closing

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The 31st USAEE North American Conference held in Austin, Texas featured hundreds of presentations on topics like sustainable energy and the implications of North American natural gas developments.

Breaking Energy was there covering the event from beginning to end, as well as following the US presidential elections and Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. The conference was attended by economist, analysts, industry professionals and students from around the US and around the world, who discussed dozens of topics relevant to all major energy sectors. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 8, 2012 at 8:30 AM

EIA Chief Discusses Storm Sandy Response, US Energy Production Sustainability and More

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Shell Oil President and Director Marvin Odum speaks during a plenary session on the first day of the Energy Information Administration energy conference April 26, 2011 in Washington, DC.

EIA Administrator Adam Sieminski highlighted the administration’s rapid response efforts during the recent hurricane crisis in the northeast and was enthusiastic about the organization’s prospects going forward while giving a breakfast presentation at the US Association of Energy Economics North American Conference in Austin, Texas. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 7, 2012 at 1:30 PM

North American Natural Gas Development Ripples Across Europe and Russia to Asian Markets

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The potential implications of recent North American natural gas production increases stretch across the globe, with knock-on impacts for gas trading patterns, regional supply-demand balances and even geopolitics.

These were all topics of discussion at a recent plenary session held during the 31st US Association for Energy Economics North American Conference in Austin, Texas, where analysts, economists, students and government officials from the US and other countries gathered this week. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 7, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Ahead of the US Election, Energy Sector Prepares for a Pivot

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The US energy sector has been a rare bright spot through much of the past four years as first financial firms and then the rest of the global economy has struggled to recover from a grinding and often jobless recession.

Statistics about jobs vary, but any region with significant oil or gas resources has noted the uptick in employment in those sectors as development has accelerated. The most recent numbers from Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, for example, show core employment in the Marcellus Shale developments in the state up by 177.5% from first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2012, even as the state’s overall employment level has lagged that of the rest of the country. Keep reading →

 /  Published November 5, 2012 at 3:45 PM

BP/Rosneft Deal: What About Oil & Gas Reserves and Production?

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BP’s heads of terms agreement to sell its 50% TNK-BP stake to Russian oil giant Rosneft was major news this week. But there was little mention of how oil and gas reserves would be treated as part of the transaction.

This is perhaps the most important aspect of this deal because reserves are one of the main factors that go into valuing an oil company. “On completion of the proposed transaction, BP expects to hold 19.75 per cent of Rosneft shares, including BP’s existing holding of 1.25 per cent, and to have received $12.3 billion in cash,” according to BP’s press release. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 29, 2012 at 1:00 PM
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