Apr 2010

The world is cutting down on carbon emissions, but it will continue to rely heavily on Opec oil, says the IEA. Tom Nicholls reports

Oil futures showed fleeting signs of weakness towards the end of March because of a bigger-than-expected rise in US crude inventories, a firmer dollar and concerns about sovereign debt in Europe

Opec oil supply reached a 14-month high in February, says the IEA

John Browne has told the story of his life at BP. It is an engrossing insight into the rise and fall of one of the oil industry's greatest leaders, writes Derek Brower

Saudi Arabia will spend $170bn in its energy sector in the next five years as it bets on a global resurgence in economic growth and energy demand, writes Derek Brower

The theme of renewal dominated Opec's March meeting in Vienna, but the problems facing the organisation remain familiar, writes Bill Farren-Price, Petroleum Policy Intelligence

Testing times have led to reduced enthusiasm for oil and gas investments in UK waters, while Norway's upstream attractions shine brighter

The long-awaited competitiveness review of Alberta's oil and gas royalty rates offers a new tone, but the details are still obscure

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says changes to Alberta's oil and gas royalty system are needed to encourage investment

Drilling off the Falkland Islands has stoked tension between the UK and Argentina, but unless significant discoveries are made it could turn out to be a storm in a teacup

With the cost of well interventions rising as a result of high rig day rates, lower-cost rig-less technologies are advancing

Seismic acquisition companies have upped their game, developing and fine-tuning technologies vital for exploration in ever-more complex offshore environments

The slump in refining margins and reduced throughputs have hit Total's bottom line, but oil and gas output is on the rise, writes NJ Watson

Shale gas is dominating the thoughts of Western oil companies. But BP's move for Devon should remind them that oil remains the true prize. Derek Brower reports from Houston

Shale gas is transforming the North American energy market, but the US may not be able to take advantage of all its resources, says IHS Cera

The $11bn take over of Smith gives Schlumberger greater access to North America's fast-growing shale-gas market and promises a shake-up of the oilfield services sector, Conal Walsh writes

More interstate pipeline regulation could mean higher gas prices for consumers, write Lisa M Tonery, Tania S Perez and Rabeha Kamaluddin, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP

India's gas-sector strategy was based on LNG imports and international pipelines. But big domestic gas discoveries and tough economic conditions have changed that, writes Ian Lewis

Indian fuel prices must rise immediately or the country's downstream companies could face bankruptcy. But they probably won't, Yeshi Seli reports from New Delhi

The discovery is likely to prompt operators to begin drilling before expiry of their licences

THE US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to launch a $1.9m study of the impact of hydraulic fracturing – fracking – on water quality and public health. If research reveals that this drilling technique has adverse health or environmental effects, new regulations could be promulgated that could discourage shale-gas development, one of the country's most prolific sources of natural gas

Gazprom renegotiates supply contracts after recession

Coal-seam gas (CSG) will play an increasingly important role in Australia's gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries

Crude prices have surged in April, exceeding $80/b with scarcely a backwards glance and hovering around $85/b