May 2003

The world’s proved gas reserves increased in 2001 by the largest increment in recent history. In that year, as in 2000, more gas was added to proved reserves than was produced. Growth in reserves and increasing utilisation is a sign that gas is on track to challenge oil’s supremacy in energy supply, Martin Quinlan writes

A pick-up in the economy and scaling-back of plans to expand nuclear capacity could give the Japanese gas business a new lease of life. Promotion of gas-utilisation technologies, the development of an internal gas grid and deregulation progress may also help generate new market opportunities. Tom Nicholls reports

Uncertainties remain about how gas demand in individual Asian markets will evolve, but robust growth, driven by the need for clean energy, is expected across the region. Nonetheless, it may be difficult for the supply projects around the Pacific rim to sign-up buyers as quickly as they would like. Tom Nicholls reports

Although LNG, which accounts for over 90% of Asia-Pacific’s international gas flows, will continue to dominate supplies, pipelines are set to grow in importance, writes Tom Nicholls

Brunei hopes recently licensed deep-water acreage will lead to the natural gas discoveries that are needed to support the planned expansion of LNG exports. With field rehabilitation projects to help maintain production and favourable geology, similar to that of Malaysia, the future may be bright, reports Paul Hueper from Bandar Seri Begawan

Shell is building a formidable presence in gas supply into north Asia. In addition to established markets, it is focusing on China, where investments in the west-east pipeline, power generation and LNG-import facilities look set to complement its presence in upstream, petrochemicals and oil products. Tom Nicholls talks to Peter de Wit, director, Shell Gas & Power, Asia-Pacific

Qatar is pressing ahead with its self-appointed aim of becoming the gas capital of the world, with proposed GTL projects and major LNG expansion plans. The country’s energy and industry minister, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, talks to David Townsend about some of the latest projects

The surge in US gas prices this winter was caused by a combination of high demand, because of cold weather, and dwindling domestic production. Further price spikes are expected as the market struggles to deal with a persistent supply/demand imbalance. David Townsend looks at the state of the market

Without reform of its energy sector, economic growth in Mexico could suffer. With natural gas demand forecast to continue growing far faster than domestic production and a desperate need for investment in the electricity sector, changes are necessary, writes Derek Brower

SOUTH AMERICA is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for natural gas. It has attracted significant investment from exploration and production (E&P) through to gas-fired power generation. However, meeting forecasts for production and consumption growth will depend on countries’ ability to attract foreign investment, says a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA)*. David Townsend reports

With the announcement in February that gas from the Ormen Lange field is to be piped to the UK, Norway has fended-off the competition and secured its future as the largest foreign supplier to Europe’s largest gas market. The UK is likely to become a substantial importer within a few years, and exporters near and far have been positioning for a share of the business, Martin Quinlan writes

Recent natural gas export/import deals signed by Russia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine suggest that after a decade of squabbling, producers and consumers in the CIS may be on the way to setting their huge gas-trading relationships on a more orderly and commercial footing. Isabel Gorst reports

It should be make-your-mind up month in Moscow. The government and lawmakers are set to review the nation’s long-term energy strategy, decide the routing of oil exports from eastern Siberia and push forward a number of legal measures that could change the upstream landscape for investors. Various, often conflicting, interest groups are thinking out fragments of policy in the open, reports Isabel Gorst

When, in August 2001, Lundin Oil was sold to Canada’s Talisman Energy for $400m, it was generally agreed it was a good deal for the Lundin shareholders. It was also agreed it was probably one of the best deals done by the legendary deal-maker, and founder of the company, Adolf Lundin, in his drive to find a genuine elephant oilfield. The company’s chairman, Ian Lundin, talks to Derek Bamber

After a traumatic two years, US energy companies are detecting faint shafts of light, with a number of companies reporting profits or securing life-saving refinancing deals with banks.

With the ending of the Iraqi conflict, the US Agency for International Development has awarded a $680 million contract to rebuild power, water and sewerage systems to engineering and construction company Bechtel. The contract has also been extended to the repair of public buildings, adding to its value.

Tenders WILL be placed this year for construction of what is planned to be the world's largest moveable structure - a 20,000 tonne steel shelter for the so-called 'sarcophagus' at Ukraine's destroyed Chernobyl reactor unit.

What would have almost certainly been the biggest takeover bid in Europe this year has crashed down in flames as Spain's energy regulator rejected Gas Natural's $17.1 billion (215.3 billion euros) bid for electricity company Iberdrola.

UK Gas and electricity utility Centrica has raised its generation capacity to nearly 2,000 MW with the purchase of the 229 MW Roosecote gas-fired station in Cumbria.

ABB's tempestuous saga continues with the company's announcement that its net debt climbed by $1 billion in the first quarter of 2003, while its $1.2 billion asbestos court case settlement has been deferred.

Russia's national power group UES, the world's largest utility by installed capacity, looks set to be carved up with the government's approval for the project this month.

The ongoing Enron investigation has taken its biggest step forward with charges being laid against eight former executives of the shamed energy giant.

Embattled engineering group Alstom has received a much-needed boost by selling a number of its businesses to Siemens in a deal worth a total 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion).

The US House of Representatives has passed its much-discussed energy bill, voting 247-175 in favour after two days of debate.