Nov 2002

Major oil and gas potential offshore and onshore, low exploration density and competitive fiscal terms make Colombia an attractive exploration play, outweighing its security risks, says energy minister Luis Ernesto Mejía Castro. Tom Nicholls talks to Mejía, Isaac Yanovich, president of Ecopetrol, and Tomás Villamil, vice-president of exploration, Ecopetrol

Oil production has grown exponentially in the last few years, transforming the country’s economic fortunes, and exploration efforts in the Gulf of Guinea are continuing. Based on known resources, production should continue to rise for the next three years, says Cristóbal Mañana Ela, the energy minister. Tom Nicholls reports

Although the LNG business appears to be in good health, with plans for major new plants and capacity upgrades, demand is not rising in line with forecasts. There could be tough times ahead, with surplus supplies and stiff competition, writes Fred Thackeray

LNG production due to come on stream around the world over the next few years will require a commensurate increase in shipping capacity and new tonnage is being ordered. Two new, distinct markets for LNG shipping are emerging and technological advances are expected to refine vessel design, David Townsend writes

It was fitting that last month’s Gastech 2002 conference was held in Doha, Qatar, which has said it wants to become one of the gas capitals of the world. As David Townsend reports, the meeting saw a raft of announcements concerning existing and future gas projects in the Gulf state

The UK – Europe’s largest producer and consumer of natural gas – is likely to become a substantial importer within a few years. Big suppliers are positioning for a stake in the market, Martin Quinlan writes

The potential for a dramatic increase in the country’s crude and natural gas production is constrained by a lack of export routes. But a relaxation of Russian resistance to the transit of central Asian oil and gas to European markets through Russian territory and proposed expansions to existing Caspian export infrastructure could pave the way for an output boom, writes Isabel Gorst

The Turkmenistan government unveiled a new energy policy this summer. It wants to boost foreign investment as part of an ambitious plan for an increase in its oil and gas exports. The country’s oil and gas and mineral resources minister, Kurbannazar Nazarov, talks to Petroleum Economist

Since its inception, the UK government's New Electricity Trading Arrangements has been mired in controversy. With the country's energy market faltering, is NETA's the right scalp to take?

Since 1948, India's electricity sector has symbolised its state-led approach to economic development. As it prepares for power reform, what social and environmental gains can be made? Navroz K. Dubash & Sudhir C. Rajan - World Resources Institute

A multinational, but little-known, treaty sets out the principles for long-term investment protection, trade, transit and dispute resolution in the energy industry, both in Europe and further afield By Robert Volterra - Herbert Smith

Raising the game might not be a top priority in today's market, but when the time comes, could venture capital prove to be the best way forward?By Michael Spry - Power Economics

Distributed generation has the potential to significantly contribute to UK climate change commitments. However, a major impediment to its wide-scale development is the current regulatory frameworkBy Amanda Seaton - CMS Cameron McKenna

Energy traders are working with large and inflexible systems that hinder speed and development in an ever-changing business. What should they be looking for in new, integrated technology? Graham Oakes - Sapient

Electricité de France has been ordered to repay Euro 900 million in state aid to the French government by the European Commission.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) projects that world energy consumption will increase by 60 per cent from 1999 to 2020, with consumption rising from 382 quadrillion Btu in 1999 to 612 quadrillion Btu in 2020.

A plan to break up Russia's monopoly power generator, UES won approval on its first reading in the country's lower house of parliament, the Duma.

Worldwide trading of carbon dioxide emissions credits is expected to triple to 67 million tonnes this year, according to the World Bank. Around $500 million worth of carbon emissions - 200 million tonnes - has changed hands since trading began in 1996.

Flemish electricity company Luminus has launched legal action against former monopoly Electrabel and six local power grids.

TXU has sold up its UK-based business to Germany's E.On for close to $3 billion, marking the latest US withdrawal from Europe.

Embattled engineering group ABB is reeling after a shock profits warning cut its share price by more than 60 per cent.