Oct 2008

Plans to introduce a cap-and-trade scheme for CO2 emissions is facing opposition from energy companies, writes Ian Lewis

The predicted, inevitable rise of alternative energy sources has brought a new indexing service to the market to guide investors, writes NJ Watson

Russia's invasion of Georgia highlights the vulnerability of energy flows through the Caucasus – and Europe's inability to diversify its energy sources away from Russia, writes Tom Nicholls

The Kashagan partners are expected to agree terms for the field's development this month, but the project still faces an uncertain future, writes NJ Watson

CCS is being held up as a way of cutting global CO2 emissions without radically changing the way big economies are powered. But serious doubts remain about how quickly it can be mobilised, writes Ian Lewis

PETROBRAS made a second discovery in the Santos basin's BM-S-11 block, offshore Rio de Janeiro, in September, writes Robert Cauclanis. The Iara field, the operator claims, holds 3bn-4bn barrels of recoverable reserves, of mostly light oil. The block's other discovery is the 5bn-8bn barrels of oil equivalent (boe) Tupi discovery.

Despite a rush to build new vessels, a lack of ultra-deep-water drilling units will hinder GOM development for at least four years, writes Anne Feltus

The country may hold significant sub-salt hydrocarbon reserves, but interest in Gabon's deep water is thin, writes Ian Lewis

With its vast untapped gas reserves and proximity to European markets, the new investment-welcoming Libya is top destination for Europe's big gas companies. Hence the chill in the air after Gazprom went public with its plans for the country, Martin Quinlan writes

Cost inflation in the oil sands and a mixed performance elsewhere are disappointing Petro-Canada's investors. Derek Brower reports

A stagnant decade for US gas production appears to be over – thanks largely to booming development of unconventional resources. Alex Forbes assesses the implications for LNG imports

John McCain and Barack Obama both want the US to buy less foreign oil. Will the Republicans' wish to open the country's offshore to drillers make a difference? Derek Brower reports

THE EUROPEAN Parliament's Industry Committee has endorsed the European Commission's proposed target for 10% of road-transport fuel to be derived from renewable sources by 2020. But it has called for a shift towards renewable energy sources and away from biofuels made from food crops

WITH crude oil futures continuing to weaken, the question now is at what point the sell-off will stop. The Brent November contract was down by $0.74/b at $76.72/b on Tuesday afternoon; November WTI futures were $0.82/b lower at $80.37. And, although it is just three months since WTI futures were changing hands at over $147/b, some analysts are even talking of $50/b as a realistic downside target.

CCS can deliver a significant portion of the emissions cuts needed over the next half-century.

THE PROSPECT of an Opec production cut helped firm oil prices, with December-delivery Brent trading just shy of $71.50/b on Tuesday morning in London. Better economic news from the US has also restored some confidence to the market

In the world of electricity, few consumers understand what they are consuming, or where it is being consumed. Smart-metering technology provides a better way for people to understand and control their power consumption. By Doug Houseman, Cap Gemini

The price of crude appeared to have found a floor, albeit perhaps a temporary one, as equity markets in Asia and Europe turned around after days of crippling losses that have dragged commodity prices down with them.

OIL SOARED and the billions flowed to the producers. The sheikhs in the Middle East began building new skyscrapers and Russian oligarchs bought new boats. Meanwhile, high energy prices helped tip the world into recession. For consumers, it has been painful, so their Schadenfreude as oil prices sink and exporters start to panic is understandable.

The global economic downturn is eroding oil demand. Opec's cut last month – 1.5m b/d – might slow the fall in oil prices, but the outlook is bleak for producers

US light, sweet crude oil futures were back above $90 a barrel on Tuesday, but, with the world's financial system still in turmoil, where prices go next is anyone's guess.

The global economic downturn is eroding oil demand. Opec's cut last month – 1.5m b/d – might slow the fall in oil prices, but the outlook is bleak for producers