US oil company executives are reportedly exploring preliminary business opportunities in Iran that could emerge if economic sanctions are relaxed as part of an agreement regarding the country’s nuclear energy activities. The companies represented by these individuals were not identified. “It is forecast that by the visit of [the] American delegation this week and in… Keep reading →
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 →
The final chapter in one of early post-Soviet Russia’s most high-profile oil industry shakeups appears to be coming to a close with the largely symbolic pardon of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, former head of Yukos. The company was one of Russia’s largest oil companies by reserves and production during the free-wheeling privatizations of the 1990’s when Soviet… Keep reading →
Spanish oil company Repsol and Argentina’s YPF are working through a bitter breakup in which the former is suing the Argentine government for $10.5 billion. Now Chevron is working with YPF to develop shale assets, much to Repsol’s chagrin. “It is scandalous that Chevron is acting in a way contrary to the law and to… Keep reading →
Congressional hearings this week focusing on the EPA Renewable Fuel Standard bring together impassioned speakers representing the US biofuel constituency, traditional fossil fuel interests, major food companies and other stakeholders. With so many business interests involved, there is clearly a lot at stake – thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for starters – but… Keep reading →
An App a Day: Keep the Chaos Away
By Bill StompThe energy industry is no stranger to technology. But, ironically, many technology professionals are strangers to the energy industry. Specifically, developers of applications for mobile devices – the authors of the purported tools that will improve operations, increase productivity and streamline logistics for a variety of companies – do not necessarily understand key aspects of the energy… Keep reading →