BP and the US federal government are at odds over how much oil was actually spilled into the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010: BP says 2.45 million barrels, the US government says 4.2 MM bbl. “Clean Water Act fines…range from a maximum of $1,100 for every barrel… Keep reading →
Here is a roundup of some of this week’s more interesting energy deals: The BP-led Shah Deniz consortium signed a 25-year sales agreement for more than 10 billion cubic metres per year of natural gas from the second phase of development at the giant Shah Deniz field offshore Azerbaijan. Shah Deniz will deliver gas directly… Keep reading →
Saudi Arabia has taken another step towards building up its nuclear power generation capacity by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for in-country collaboration with Westinghouse Electricity, Exelon Nuclear Partners and Toshiba. Nuclear could be a key tool in managing a mismatch between rising in-country energy consumption and a heavy dependence on oil exports to meet… Keep reading →
Reports in a Lebanese newspaper detail a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan, in which bin Sultan suggested a joint Russian-Saudi strategy to manage oil production volumes and prices, according to Platts. “‘Let us examine how to put together a unified Russian-Saudi strategy on the subject of… Keep reading →
The price of West Texas Intermediate crude had risen for five consecutive days as of yesterday afternoon – “the longest stretch of gains since April” – on news of escalating unrest in Egypt, as Brent hit a four-month high. A police crackdown on protests in Egypt has left more than 500 dead. [Bloomberg] Iran has… Keep reading →
US energy policy is on hold for now, but several top-tier energy issues issues will be front and center when the House and Senate return to Capitol Hill after the August recess, according to Frank Maisano, Senior principal in law firm Bracewell Giuliani’s Government Relations and Strategic Communications Practice. Energy watchers should be on the… Keep reading →
Natural gas has been gaining global market share from oil for several years, but gas markets remain fragmented and a true global market for natural gas has yet to emerge. The North American shale gas revolution significantly altered gas supply, demand and pricing dynamics in many regions and dramatically changed the situation in Alaska. “Alaska… Keep reading →
The 32nd US Association of Energy Economics/International Association of Energy Economics brings together a diverse group of delegates and speakers representing private business, government and academia to discuss pressing energy issues of the day. This year’s event officially kicked off on Monday in Anchorage, Alaska, where the state is enjoying one of its nicest summers… Keep reading →
The Breaking Energy Team is en route to Anchorage for what promises to be a great series of speakers and events at the USAEE/IAEE North American Conference. Maybe we’ll see a bear! Or a Palin! The United States Association for Energy Economics, and its parent organization, the International Association for Energy Economics, are kicking off… Keep reading →
It sounds counterintuitive, but Texas’ energy boom its taxing its energy capacity. “Many municipalities and businesses are bracing for big surcharges this year, after having been hit hard last summer, as energy use by oil drilling and production equipment outpaces the capacity of the region’s power grid.” [Wall Street Journal] India’s oil imports from Iran… Keep reading →
