Dec 2003

As the European Electricity Directive grinds slowly towards one open competitive market across Europe, Liz Bossley looks at the development of trading in the range of disparate European electricity exchanges that have evolved since the 1996 directive was agreed

Pressure on oil and gas firms to comply with climate-change legislation is growing and the ability to respond may soon mark the difference between success and failure. Kirsty Hamilton reports

OMV says there are few suitable acquisition targets left in central and eastern Europe and that what is left is too expensive. To meet its 2008 targets, the Austrian company is focusing on expanding its natural gas business, writes NJ Watson

The Nordic region relies heavily on primary electricity, but demand is likely to increase at a faster rate than supply. This prospect presents the Nordic countries with tough decisions, Martin Quinlan writes

The signing of an upstream deal between two European majors and Saudi Aramco represents a milestone in the long-delayed opening of Saudi Arabia’s gas sector, writes James Gavin

New oil and gas exploration and production activity in east Africa – from Sudan to Mozambique – signals a slow, but resurgent interest in the region, reports Paul Hueper from Dar es Salaam

Despite ever-greater attention to costs, the oil and gas industry is, according to IBM, spending $14bn this year on IT systems. Such an outlay would suggest that most players have cutting-edge and well integrated systems. With a few exceptions, the reality is rather different, reports Nigel Ash

Schlumberger plans to direct its efforts at maximising recovery from mature fields, with business shifting increasingly to areas such as the Middle East. Technology will make the difference between success and failure. Tom Nicholls talks to Chakib Sbiti, head of the group’s oilfield services division

Although E&P investment is set to rise, it is unlikely to reach forecast highs and other services-industry sectors are expected to witness a downturn. Services companies are not happy, complaining that oil companies are squeezing prices, reducing their profits, Helen Avati reports

Faced with a rapidly growing deficit on domestic oil and gas production, the Chinese authorities have embarked on a strategy of acquiring equity in foreign exploration, development and producing assets, especially in friendly countries in the region, reports Derek Bamber

On 15 October, China became only the third nation to put a man into space, testament to the newfound confidence of this Communist colossus. But, with its surging economy, China will face yet more challenges in the years ahead as it grapples with a rising energy deficit and rampant demand, writes Martin Clark

Iran, sitting between the Caspian Sea and the Mideast Gulf, is the key export route for Caspian oil and gas to Asia-Pacific. Tehran is gearing up to play a major role as a conduit for oil shipments. James Gavin reports

A World Bank loan approval for the BTC oil pipeline has been greeted with delight by oil companies, but with criticism from NGOs. Yet although the World Bank’s decision gives the controversial project a stamp of public approval and should pave the way for further loans from development and commercial banks, the pipeline’s troubles are far from over. NJ Watson reports