Jun 2005

Outside the main producing countries, the African continent is under-explored – but, largely as a result of the development of deep-water technology, it is shaking off its reputation as a no-go area for more-cautious oil companies. New producing countries are emerging as smaller firms take the lead – and another new LNG scheme could be implemented as a result, Martin Quinlan writes

Oil prices eased at the end of May as US inventories continued to rise

The ratings agencies have often had a hard time assessing opaque institutions in emerging markets. But enigmatic NOCs are starting to make things easier for them, writes NJ Watson

Peruvian officials believe that the more flexible investment terms that were introduced in 2002 are beginning to bear fruit, as foreign investors show more interest in the country's growing oil and gas sector. Robert Olson talks to Antonio Cueto, chairman of Perupetro

To those who have shall be given, goes the saying. In Qatar's case, this appears to be particularly apt. The gas-rich Mideast Gulf state has dominated the energy-finance scene in the past few years, with a fistful of gas-export projects securing large volumes of financing from an array of international banks, writes James Gavin.

The kingdom's portfolio of new production projects will enhance the perception that it retains the capacity to almost single-handedly increase the flow of oil to world markets. James Gavin reports on the long-term aims of Saudi oil strategy

Equity oil remains off the menu for IOCs in Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom's growing appetite for extending its downstream capability is offering foreign investors a new way in, reports James Gavin

Saudi Arabia has catapulted itself into the global petrochemicals big league, rolling out waves of new production capacity derived from its ethane-based feedstock advantage. James Gavin reports

Qatar took the prize for attracting the greatest volume of finance from banks last year. But financiers have other areas in their sights, reports James Gavin

High oil prices have been a boon for banks, as well as for energy firms. There has been a resurgence in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, global project finance volumes are at their highest level since 2000 and energy trading is back in vogue, writes NJ Watson

International law firms are expanding their reach to service the needs of an increasingly complex and global oil and gas industry, where deals are often multi-jurisdictional and competition comes from all sides, writes Martin Clark

For some, the romance of oil exploration – drilling wells in exotic locations and the thrill of discovery – is what the industry is all about. Yet modern-day business pressures are forcing energy companies to seek out growth opportunities elsewhere – notably through acquisitions, writes Martin Clark

Last year, energy insurers were hit by their biggest bill ever, mainly because of Hurricane Ivan. But having learnt the hard way in the industry shake-out of the early 1990s, they are still standing, writes Steve Hawkes

When shipowners consider insurance they usually have in mind tankers going aground, loss of cargo, pollution and reputation risk – think of Prestige, Exxon Valdez, Erika and Sea Empress. But the freight rates shipowners and charterers pay, or receive, have become less predictable and that has presented them with a new source of risk, writes Adam Sonin, head of shipping derivatives at ACM/GFI

Energy prices may be ripe for a downward correction, says a new research note from Deutsche Bank, which predicts Brent crude prices will ease to $45 a barrel in the second half of 2005