TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 30, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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Brent stays above $114 on US economic optimism Brent prices held above $114 per barrel on Wednesday on confidence in the US economy after a string of data out of the world's biggest oil consumer showed a recovery was gaining ground | Upstream Online 

Nigeria doles out $1bn from Excess Crude Account President Goodluck Jonathan has approved distribution of $1billion from the excess crude account among the 36 States and FCT | SweetCrude 

Iraqi Kurds woo more oil majors in contest with Baghdad (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdistan said it is negotiating with two or three major international companies to operate oilfields and expects to announce the outcome in about a month, in a move likely to further heighten tensions with Baghdad | Reuters 

Petrobras rolls out fuel hike Petrobras said on Tuesday it would raise fuel prices charged to distributors as the company grapples with its balance sheets amid rising costs | Upstream Online 

Russia plans oil, gas projects in Venezuela CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The chief executive of Russian energy company Rosneft said Tuesday that Russia will keep deepening cooperation with Venezuela's government in oil, natural gas and electrical projects | Associated Press 

Nigeria: NSCDC uncovers illegal depot in

Shell LiveWIRE - providing a head start for young entrepreneurs?

How effective is this programme in host countries?

Shell runs its LiveWIRE social investment programme in 17 countries where it operates. Shell LiveWIRE is designed to help and support young people aged 16-30, to start sustainable businesses, and create employment. The core Shell LiveWIRE programme has five elements, which are then adapted to fit local contexts and settings. The five elements are: Bright Ideas Workshop, including access to local economy / market and value chain information on viable entry points for small business; Business Planning & Management Training; Business Start Up including support with access to finance and technology; Post Start Support, including access to mentors, incubation and market linkages; and Performance Measurement including support to identify growth opportunities, and performance KPIs. 

Most country programmes work very successfully with a number of key partner organisations. The programme name varies dependent on country and language (e.g. it is Shell Intilaaqah in Oman, and some other MENA countries) but the global programme is Shell LiveWIRE.

Meet some of the thousands of young entrepreneurs in different countries who've benefitted from the programme that began in 1982 in Scotland as a way to share the benefits of the North Sea oil boom. Since then it's engaged nine million young people around the world.

Energy All-Stars: Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye the Science Guy talks about what space can teach us about climate and the need for cleaner energy during Energy All-Stars in Washington, DC on January 19, 2013.

OIL - Where It Comes From and Where It's Going

This vitally important documentary examines the science behind how oil was created over billions of years and how it is being depleted in just over one hundred years. It also looks at the environmental consequences of oil depletion.

Last thing Americans want is Northern Gateway pipeline: Keith Schaefer

Oil analyst Keith Schaefer goes in-depth on a number of issues with Cambridge House Live's anchor Bridgitte Anderson. Taped at Cambridge House International's Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in January 2013

Are Ethanol Mandates Making America More Energy Secure?

In 2007, Congress passed an expanded Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, which mandates that large quantities of biofuel-- made from corn and other biomass—be blended into the fuel supply each year.

What does energy security look like under the RFS? Not much. Ethanol distorts energy markets, and the government's own Energy Information Administration projects that the U.S. will still rely on oil and natural gas products for more than half of its energy needs for decades to come.

Engineering Christmas Trees (GE Oil and Gas - Australia)

It's Christmas year round at the GE Jandakot Oil & Gas facility, a service and training center for the petroleum industry, where testing is done on an oil well component called a Christmas tree. These wellhead control valves sit on the ocean floor for over 25 years and need to be engineered well and expertly tested to be reliable and high quality. The multi-purpose Jandakot center is integral to providing both high skill training and technical education with apprentice opportunities and maintenance to key industry equipment, streamlining the service process and reducing the downtime that results from sending parts overseas.

As the first in country support center and the largest complex of its kind in Australia, this GE facility aims to provide both the skills and products for the resource boom and increase productivity in the industry. Follow plant manager Roy McIntosh as he walks through a jam packed day in Western Australia's main hub of oil and gas. Learn more at http://www.ge.com/au.

Debate: Greenpeace vs. Marin Katusa on pipeline

Cambridge House International presents a debate about the merits of building the Northern Gateway Pipeline between Greenpeace co-founder Rex Weyler and Casey Research's Chief Energy Investment Strategist Marin Katusa. Taped Sunday, January 20, 2013 at Cambridge House International's Vancouver Resource Investment conference.

Gregor Macdonald: What the End of Cheap Oil Means

Accroding to ChrisMartensondotcom: On the heels of Chris' recent report clarifying the global net energy predicament, he and PeakProsperity.com contributing editor Gregor Macdonald sit down to talk in depth about the broken relationship between energy costs and economic growth.

For much of the twentieth century, the developed world saw a steady march upwards in wages and living standards, due primarily to huge quantities of cheap, high-yielding liquid hydrocarbon. As we find ourselved bumping along the plateau of Peak Oil's apex, suddenly we find "growth" is a lot harder to come by.

Of course, if you follow the news today, this is not the story you are hearing. Talk of an energy bonanza and imminent energy independence (in the US) are everywhere, thanks to gas fracking and tight oil production. What is missing from the headlines is the cost side of the equation and a blindness towards future demand. 

For certain, shale gas will be a boon for the US and some other countries. But very little is transported these days by gas and there are no mega-sized infrastructure projects underway to change that anytime soon. Extraction of new tight oil plays is increasing production, but not by enough to offset other field declines elsewhere in the world, and not at the prices we were used to over the past century. The era of cheap oil is over, and these higher permanent prices act as a boot on the throat of economic growth. Hence the mired global economy we have been experiencing in recent years.

Rather than fooling ourselves with fanciful "energy independence" pablum, we should be looking hard at what kind of future we want to have now that oil is no longer cheap. And we should be asking ourselves in regards to the remaining fossil fuels we're extracting: How can we put these non-renewable BTUs to their best use, before they become expensive, too?

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 25, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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Chevron eyes newbuild FPSO 

US supermajor Chevron has put out feelers in the shipbuilding market covering a potential newbuild floating production, storage and offloading vessel for one of its giant projects | Upstream Online

Lukoil field 'hit by blaze' 

A fire triggered by a release of hydrocarbons was reported to have broken out earlier this week at a Lukoil-operated field in the Timan-Pechora region of Russia | Upstream Online

President Jonathan claims Nigerians are happy with electricity 

President Goodluck Jonathan has claimed that his government has done well in turning around the deficit in the power sector and that he believes that Nigerians are pleased with his government over this development | SweetCrude

Shell’s Voser Says Lower U.S. Gas, Oil Prices Curb Earnings 

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser said lower North American crude and gas prices will curb earnings at Europe’s largest oil company | Bloomberg

Oz to introduce mandatory reporting 

The Australian government announced plans on Friday to implement a national mandatory reporting regime for petroleum statistics | Upstream Online

Norwegian Sea 'has CO2 storage potential' 

The Norwegian Sea could have storage capacity for about 5.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is more than 100 times Norway’s total emissions of the greenhouse gas last year, according to the state petroleum agency | Upstream Online

Activists shut down Shell station at

The Way forward: Local Content Development in Nigeria

By Ahmed Achimugu

Introduction

The Nigerian Content Act was signed into law on the 22nd of April 2010 by the President of Nigeria with the goal of increasing Nigerian participation in the oil and gas sector, building local capacity, creating linkages to other sectors of the economy which would then result in improvements in key indices of the country’s financial system. 

The law on its own part is revolutionary and if properly implemented could usher in a new era of empowerment to the locals in an industry that is dominated by foreign and multinational companies. Be that as it may, the law is not perfect and is certainly a work in progress hence the need to get all stakeholders involved in getting it to a form that would accelerate the development of the country as a whole. 

Nigeria's Stolen Crude, Refined Abroad | Power Problems, End-in-Sight

From 5:30mins Nigeria's President addresses the power problems in Nigeria. How does Nigeria tap its natural gas reserves and transform this great abundance of energy to 'light in the bulbs'? 

Also, Amanpour also poses the question of 400,000 barrels of oil per day in stolen crude and as the Nigerian President points out. this volume of crude is processed in refineries abroad. 

This leads to one loooOooong question: What is the approach to 'blood diamonds' in the western world; how has this policy of discouraging consumption of illegally mined diamonds performed so far; can this approach be applied against refineries processing stolen crude and is the international community really incapable of tracing ships that transport at least 400,000 barrels of oil per day equivalent oil in international waters?

Fu Chengyu on Sinopec and Contemporary Geopolitics

Watch Fu Chengyu, Chairman of Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp., President and Secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) as he discusses contemporary geopolitical issues in the Oil & Gas industry

More Facts about Fracking

Hank gives us a summary of the important facts about fracking: what it is, why we do it, and how it actually isn't all butterflies and cupcakes.

INDIA: LPG subsidy vs Diesel Deregulation

According to Times Now: In a mix of populist and reform measures, government on Thursday (January 17) raised the cap on supply ofsubsidised cooking gas (LPG) to nine cylinders per household from six and virtually deregulated diesel prices allowing "small" hikes over a period of time. Diesel prices in all probability may be hiked by Rs 1.50-2.0 per litre in the first instance that can be as early as tonight following the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The CCPA however left LPG and kerosene prices unchanged. "The CCPA considered the issue of raising the cap from six to nine and the CCPA has agreed and raised the cap from six cylinders (per household in a year) to nine," Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily told reporters here.

In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Piyush Goyal, MP Rajya Sabha, BJP & Natl Treasurer; Naresh Gujral, MP Rajya Sabha, SAD; Dr. Bejon Misra, Consumer Expert; Kumar Ketkar, Chief Editor, Daily Divya Marathi, Bhaskar Group; Lord Meghnad Desai, Economist and Mohandas Pai, Educationist -- discuss whether Govt simply sugarcoating the diesel deregulation by raising the cap on subsidised LPGs cylinders to 9.

Shell and Unusual innovations for the future

By 2050, the world's population could grow to 9 billion people, up from about 7 billion today. This growing population and rising prosperity around the world will push up global energy demand, and, for the foreseeable future, most people will depend on fossil fuels for the majority of their energy. 

Yet many of the world's remaining oil and gas fields are in harder-to-reach places and are more difficult to develop. With increasing energy demands, environmental and social pressures on both government and industry, the global energy system needs to undergo a radical change. It has to become broader, cleaner and more efficient. 

Innovation -- the capacity for doing things differently and better than before -- holds the key to unlocking the energy needed today and in the future. Shell Chief Scientists are responding to these challenges by pushing the boundaries of innovation -- working closely with customers and partners to apply creative thinking and technology to achieve more within safe boundaries.

In this short video, Shell Chief Scientists discuss extraordinary and unusual innovative solutions being developed to meet future energy needs.

Discover more at http://www.shell.com/global/future-energy/innovation/chief-scientists.html

AFTER GASLAND: What next?

With the hydraulic fracturing and shale revolution sweeping across North America, what are the bodies of evidence on both sides of the contentious issue of the merits and demerits of fracking?

Let us reflect on one of the key watershed moments; the time when 'Gasland' jolted the U.S. into serious debate on fracking. What has changed since then? Part 2 after the cut.

2013 OIL OUTLOOK: Changing Trade Flows & Refinery Expansions

Great Analysis. What are the implications of projected industry dynamics for your regional market?

Richard Swann, Joel Hanley and Simon Thorne analyze the changing dynamics of the ever more connected global oil market; how increasing US oil production and pipeline reversals could lead to the narrowing of the Brent-WTI price spread; the changing nature of the trans-Atlantic arbitrage for oil products; and the potential impact of planned refinery expansions in both Saudi Arabia & Russia.

SOCIAL IMPACT MANAGEMENT PLANS: Gorgon Project

Beyond 'photo-opportunities' what is the real social impact of work programmes in host communities?

Determined to work on Chevron's Gorgon Project, four Aboriginal trainees underwent and passed, a 16-week trades assistant course. During this course they learned how to weld, operate a forklift and work safely on a construction site--skills necessary to their new jobs on Barrow Island.

GOOD NEWS: 50,000 jobs in the Oil & Gas Industry

Listen to Oilandgaspeople.com Managing Director, Kevin Forbes discussing the recent prediction of 50,000 jobs for the oil and gas industry in 2013

Future of Oil and Gas

What sets the pricing dynamics for oil and natural gas?

BP Energy Outlook 2030 - Christof Ruhl

The Energy Outlook contributes to the wider debate on global energy issues by asking key questions. What will the world's fuel mix look like in 2030? Where is the growth going to come from? What are the implications for oil and natural gas markets of the US 'shale revolution' and can the US experience be replicated elsewhere? Will renewables continue to grow rapidly?

Climate Disruption - The New Climate Change

Since when did global warming become climate change....and then climate disruption? 

Great discussion; watch the video.

Allen Tilley, former professor at the University of North Florida, discusses the ramifications of rapid climate change and global warming at a Sierra Club meeting in Jacksonville FL.

BP Energy Outlook 2030: The World's Energy Future

The BP Energy Outlook 2030 shares our 2013 projections for the world's energy future. By 2030, the world economy will nearly double, but can this growth be sustained? We believe the answer is yes.

Over the next 20 years, unconventional oil and gas will have an increasing impact on global energy markets. Emerging economies, including China, India, Brazil and Russia, will continue to drive energy demand. Shale gas and tight oil, together with heavy oil and biofuels, will play an increasingly important role and will transform the energy balance of the U.S.

Watch the video to see what else 2030 will bring for the energy industry. To find out more about the BP Energy Outlook 2030, visithttp://www.bp.com/energyoutlook.

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 16, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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NIPCO targets 150 retail outlets in 2013 

NIPCO Plc, an indigenous joint venture downstream player, says it plans to construct an 75 service station to its already 150 retail outlet across the country for year 2013 | SweetCrude

North Sea pipeline shut after leak found 

A pipeline network handling about 6 per cent of total UK oil production was shut down on Tuesday after Abu Dhabi National Energy discovered a leak at one of its North Sea platforms | Financial Times

Oil exports boost Nigeria revenues to 581 bln naira in Dec 

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's government earned gross revenues of 581 billion naira in December, an increase of 2 percent on the previous month, owing to higher oil exports and despite problems with production, the accountant general said on Tuesday | Reuters

NPDC commences gas expansion projects to boost power generation 

To meet Nigerian government’s aspiration to boost power generation in the country, the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited, NPDC, has commenced delivery of 65 million standard cubic feet per day of gas into domestic market from Oredo field in Oil Mining Lease, OML 111 | SweetCrude

TGS launches Liberia survey 

Norwegian seismic player TGS has kicked off a 3D multi-client survey on prospective acreage off Liberia | Upstream Online

TRANSACTIONS 

Chinese firm to set up $7.5bn refinery in C-River 

A Chinese firm, Sino Arab Energy, SAE, in partnership with a local firm, Osabo Refining and Petrochemical Industry Limited, have concluded plans to build a refinery in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State | SweetCrude

Faroe wins eight Norwegian blocks 

UK-listed Faroe Petroleum has won eight new exploration licences on the Norwegian continental shelf | Upstream Online

GE Oil & Gas wins US$500 million

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 15, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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Petrobras creates program to assess potential and use of natural gas 

Petrobras announces that its Executive Board has approved the creation of the Onshore Natural Gas Program (PRON-GAS), focused on the exploration, production and monetization of natural gas from the Brazilian onshore sedimentary basins, in conventional and non-conventional reservoirs | PennEnergy

Nigeria set to charge alleged oil thieves 

Nigerian authorities are to charge 11 Nigerians, 10 Indians, and 2 Ghanaians with oil theft, after naval patrols intercepted two ships carrying oil and refined fuel in the creeks of the Niger Delta, according to a report | Upstream Online

New governor for oil-producing Saudi province 

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah appointed a former diplomat to run the kingdom's most sensitive region on Monday, naming Prince Saud bin Nayef as governor of oil-producing Eastern province, according to a report | Upstream Online

Brent steadies above $111 as US debt weighs on prices 

Brent crude held steady above $111 per barrel on Tuesday after ending the previous session more than $1 higher, with the lack of an agreement over the US debt ceiling and a forecast increase in the country's oil inventory weighing on prices | UpstreamOnline

Platts announces OPEC pumps 30.65 million barrels of crude oil per day in December 

LONDON, Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Crude oil production from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) fell to 30.65 million barrels per day (b/d) in December from 31.08 million b/d in November, led by a plunge in exports from both Saudi Arabia and Iraq, a just-released Platts survey of OPEC and oil industry officials and analysts showed | Oil & Gas News

UK opposes Arctic drilling ban 

The UK government opposes a stop to oil and gas drilling in the Arctic it has said in a report today, dismissing a parliamentary committee call to impose an exploration ban in the environmentally fragile region | Oil Voice

Tilted SembMarine Jackup Restored to Original Upright Position 

Sembcorp Marine announced Tuesday that it has successfully restored the Noble Regina Allen (400' ILC) jackup that tilted on Dec. 3, 2012, to its original upright position following planned recovery and restoration operations on Jan. 14, 2013 | Rigzone

Seasonal oil demand behind Saudi’s

U.S. Pursuing pipeline safety

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is expected to announced new safety regulations in 2013.

Different strokes for different folks. How much of a gap exists between pipeline safety culture in the U.S and that of Nigeria what with its pipeline integrity management crises today?

Anglo's new chief

The role of chief executive at South African miner Anglo American can be a poisoned chalice. Lex's Stuart Kirk and Richard Stovin-Bradford consider who'll take on the role and the challenges they'll face.

PIPELINE VANDALISM: What is a permanent solution?

How does Nigeria nip its culture of pipeline vandalism in the bud? Who takes ownership of the problem and who takes up the gauntlet for a solution?

EXTREME ENGINEERING: The Snohvit Artic Gas Processing Platform

A floating refinery? How????

From youtube: Snøhvit (English: Snow White) is the name of a natural gas field in the Norwegian Sea, situated 140 kilometres (87 mi) northwest of Hammerfest, Norway. The northern part of the Norwegian Sea is often described as the Barents Sea by offshore petroleum companies. Snøhvit is also the name of a development of Snøhvit and the two neighbouring natural gas fields Albatross and Askeladden.[1] Estimated recoverable reserves are 193 billion cubic metres of natural gas, 113 million barrels (18.0×106 m3) of condensate (light oil), and 5.1 million tonnes of natural gas liquids (NGL). The development comprises 21 wells. The Snøhvit development is operated by Statoil on behalf of six gas companies owning licenses:

Petoro

Total

GDF Suez

Statoil

Hess

RWE Dea

The fields were discovered in 1984. The development plan was presented by Statoil in 2001. A subsea production system is planned to feed a land-based plant on the island of Melkøya via 160 kilometres (99 mi) long submarine gas pipeline with diameter of 680 millimetres (27 in). The gas from Snøhvit will be used for

US oil forecast

What is the forecast for US oil? What are the upsides and downsides? 

How To Evaluate Oil and Gas Drilling Investments-Deal Structure.mpeg

How well do we know the drilling business; how then do we structure commensurate investments?

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 11, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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21 Nigeria’s crude cargoes for Feb. unsold

No fewer than 21 Nigeria’s crude cargoes for loading in February, or 31 per cent, remain unsold because of reduced European refining margins and rising United States’ shale oil output, said three traders who participate in the market | The Nation

Gas users call for limits on LNG exports 

Large US natural gas users, including Dow Chemical, Alcoa, the aluminium company, and Nucor, the steelmaker, have formed an alliance to campaign for limits on the country’s exports of liquefied natural gas | Financial Times

U.S Manufacturers go to war with oil industry over gas exports 

The petroleum industry and several big manufacturing companies are warring over whether U.S. regulators should allow a major expansion of liquefied natural-gas exports | EINNews

Chevron sees rosier fourth quarter 

California-based supermajor Chevron expects a stronger fourth quarter compared to the painful preceding period based on improved production figures and a big asset deal | Upstream Online

U.S. : Incoming Senate energy chair stands firm in opposition to expanded LNG exports 

Senator Ron Wyden would appear to have ample reason to support the expansion of LNG exports from the US | Platts

Brazil moving on new oil round 

Brazil will move ahead with a long-awaited round of oil concession auctions in May following the resolution of a royalty dispute, authorities said Thursday | Upstream Online

Lebanon, Cyprus Look to Natural Gas Reserves 

BEIRUT — Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Lebanese President Michel Sleiman have agreed to boost cooperation and look into ways to explore offshore oil and gas fields that experts believe may have abundant natural gas deposits. But these energy fields lie in a politically tricky area in the waters between Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel | VOA

Turkey looks to speed up exploration 

Turkey is drilling for oil and natural gas with more rigs than any European country and plans new rules in 2013 to speed exploration of energy supplies, according to a report | Upstream Online

Refiners Pursue More Pipelines amid Big Gains 

New pipelines may provide new revenue for US refiners, which have seen big gains in 2012 and are now seeking to ride the wave of success | Oil Price

Caspian Sea Gas Consortium to Acquire

Ran Out of Oil | National Geographic Documentary HD

What if the world ran out of oil? Food for thought...

Our contemporary world is so dependent on technology fueled by oil, and yet oil will not last forever. How will the world change and how will people adapt as food disappears, electrical power fails? Witness the devastation in major cities as winter sets in. What will be more important to our survival; the technology to develop new sources of energy, or a change to a more sustainable way of life?

Will India's new gas pricing formula work?

Experts S. Radhakrishnan, former CMD and director marketing, BPCL; Sushil Tripathi, former oil secretary; Kirit S. Parikh, chairman, Integrated Research & Action for Development and former member of Planning Commission; R.S. Sharma, former CMD, ONGC; Narendra Taneja, energy expert, and Sudhir Rao, MD, Skoda Auto India, discuss whether the new pricing formula is workable and what it will mean for the power and fertilizer sectors.

YPF to Exploit One of Latin America's Largest Oil and Gas Deposits

CCTV's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires reports on YPF, an Argentinian energy company trying to develop one of Latin America's largest shale and oil deposits in Vaca Muerta, Argentina. The deal could make Argentina a major player in the international gas market, but some are against the decision.

2013 State of American Energy Event

On January 8th, 2013 at the Washington DC Mellon Auditorium, the American Petroleum Institute President/CEO Jack Gerard emphasized to the crowd how significant investments currently being made to American energy were providing solutions to the nation's pressing economic issues. Mr. Gerard discussed how the vast domestic resources of oil and natural gas presents a game-changing opportunity that could make the United States the global lead in energy. 

For more information, visit http://EnergyTomorrow.com/SOAE2013

Mehoopany: Largest Wind Farm in Pennsylvania

Mehoopany Wind Farm, the largest in the state of Pennsylvania, began full commercial operation on December 30, 2012. The joint project of BP Wind Energy and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power represents a combined investment of approximately $250 million, creating over 400 jobs during the peak of construction.

The first mountaintop project that BP Wind Energy has undertaken, the Mehoopany Wind Farm is located on a 9,000-acre site about 20 miles northwest of Scranton. With 88 wind turbines, the project will deliver power to over 40,000 homes.

As the 5th joint venture between BP Wind Energy and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, the wind farm marks an important milestone for the two partners, as well as the state of Pennsylvania.

To learn more about BP Alternative Energy, visit our website here:http://www.bp.com/alternativeenergy

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 10, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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Ghana receives EUR16m support from the EU 

The European Union (EU) in Ghana has disbursed close to EUR 16 million to the Government of Ghana. This disbursement comprises of 10M € Sector Budget Support for the Ministry of Health and 5.65 M € General Budget Support under Ghana's Multi-Donor Budget Support (MDBS ) framework | SweetCrude

Brent dips ahead of China data 

Brent futures slipped below $112 per barrel on Wednesday as investors awaited Chinese trade data, US corporate earnings and the outcome of a European Central Bank policy meeting to glean insights into the health of the world's biggest economies | Upstream Online

U.S. launches review of Shell Arctic drilling program 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Interior Department will review Royal Dutch Shell's (RDSA.L) 2012 Arctic oil drilling program to assess the challenges the oil company faced and to help guide future permitting in the region | Reuters

Seven killed as helicopter crashes with oil equipment in Peru 

A helicopter transporting equipment for an oil exploration company, crashed in the Amazon jungle of Peru, killing all seven people on board | SweetCrude

U.S. oil production to jump 25 percent by 2014 – EIA 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil production is expected to rise by the largest amount on record in 2013, the Energy Information Administration said on Tuesday, and is set to soar by almost a quarter over the next two years | Reuters

China’s Shale Gas Reserves Sustainable for Nearly 200 Years 

ChinaScope Financial reports that over the past year, shale gas has become a new focus in China’s energy sector | Oil and Gas Eurasia

Nigerian Govt begins payment of fuel subsidy claims – Okonjo-Iweala 

The Office of Nigeria’s Accountant-General of the Federation has begun payment of fuel subsidy claims to marketers, Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said | SweetCrude

Kuwait still Plans to Build Middle East's Largest Oil Refinery Despite

What If The US Stop Buying Nigerian Crude Oil?

United States' imports of Nigerian crude oil slumped to the lowest level in more than 15 years in March, according to US Energy Department data released recently.

Nigeria shipped 337,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude to the US, as against an average of 768,000 bpd for 2011. Imports of Nigerian crude to the East Coast of the US dropped to 1.745 million barrels in March, down 44 percent from February, while shipments to the Gulf Coast rose 31 percent to 8.693 million barrels.

Analysts say the rising production from the Eagle Ford shale formation in the US state of Texas may further dampen demand for Nigeria's crude. 

Energy crisis compounds Pakistan's woes?

What implications does an energy shortage have on a nation's economy?

Aside from security issues, Pakistan also has to worry about widespread poverty. The UN says more than half its population barely have enough to eat, and an energy shortage is making things worse. Double digit inflation in recent years has pushed the price of basic staples beyond the reach of many families. Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid reports from Islamabad.

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 08, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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Govt proposes asset management firm for NNPC subs 

Rather than the outright privatisation of some units under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the Federal Government has decided to set up an asset management company, as a holding company, for some of the corporation’s subsidiaries | SweetCrude

Oil Sands Industry in Canada Tied to Higher Carcinogen Level 

OTTAWA — The development of Alberta’s oil sands has increased levels of cancer-causing compounds in surrounding lakes well beyond natural levels, Canadian researchers reported in a study released on Monday. And they said the contamination covered a wider area than had previously been believed | NYTimes

Argentina cuts oil export tax 

Argentina unveiled a new system of export taxes on oil shipments on Monday that will cut levies as the government seeks to lure investment to revive stagnant production, according to reports | Upstream Online

Petrobras starts commercial production of Sapinhoá field in the Santos Basin pre-salt 

Petrobras announces that as the platform Cidade de São Paulo comes into operation on January 5th it has started commercial production of Sapinhoá field in block BM-S-9 in the Santos Basin pre-salt. This field has started production ahead of schedule, since the startup date in Petrobras 2012-2016 Business Plan was set for January 13, 2013 | Oil Voice

Nigeria state oil firm borrows $1.5 bln to pay

TOP NEWS PICK: JANUARY 07, 2013

Developments in International Oil & Gas | Energy | Extractive Industries

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Nigeria’s PEF commences electronic loading of fuel trucks 

The Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF, management board says it has started the electronic loading of trucks in the petroleum downstream sector | SweetCrude 

Ice hits Bohai Bay production 

Output in China's northern Bohai Bay, its largest offshore oil and gas production base, has been affected by icy conditions, according to state-run China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) | Upstream Online

Exxon Hedges Oil Sands With Offshore Hebron Project 

Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM)’s plans to develop a $14 billion underwater oil field off Newfoundland’s coast allows the world’s biggest energy company to hedge against discounted crude fromCanada’s oil sands | Bloomberg

Aramco to step up search for gas 

JEDDAH: Saudi Aramco will step up its efforts to explore and develop more gas wells across the Kingdom to meet the requirements of electric power generation, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi said yesterday | Zawya

Nigerian Navy arrests 22 ships for oil

Primavera Software for Oil and Gas - Primavera P6 Energy Contractors

Primavera Software - P6 EPPM for Oil and Gas Projects - Regardless of sector, upstream, downstream, midstream, or field services Primavera P6 EPPM is ideal for balancing capital project investment and long-term growth. A fluid business climate and competitive marketplace requires firms to utilize tools like Primavera P6 to quickly responde to changes when priorities shift or projects challenges require alternate scenarios. Primavera Software provides decission support in addition to resource and cost control.

Offshore Drillers Train for Helicopter Crash

At Shell's training facility in Robert, Louisiana, employees and contractors undergo training for what to do in the event of a helicopter crash at sea while en route to an offshore drilling platform. WSJ's Steven Rosenbush reports via #WorldStream.

MONGOLIA'S OYU TOLGOI - The Big Dig

Mongolia is opening one of the world's biggest copper mines, the Oyu Tolgoi. But the deal with Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is highly controversial. 101 East examines if mining will change Mongolia for the better, or worse.

2012: TOP 10 POSTS & VISITORS FOR THE YEAR

Our Top 10 posts and visitor locations are captured to give you a sense of the most relevant content and the top locations where our content is read.

We commend the authors of the posts and we look forward to welcoming more contributions over the coming year !!!

SEASON'S GREETINGS!!!!

**CLICK ON THE ARTICLES TO READ**

Top 10 Posts Read- ALL YEAR:

BRITISH PETROLEUM: CORPORATE GIANT IN A CORPORATE MESS?

ENTER FOR THE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS CHALLENGE

BP's COMPETITIVE STRATEGY: LEADERSHIP AT WHAT COST?

EUROPEAN GAS MARKET: PIPELINE GAS VS LNG

STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS: TOWARDS PRACTICAL NIGERIAN CONTENT

SHOULD NIGERIA DEREGULATE ITS PETROLEUM DOWNSTREAM SECTOR?

GOVERNANCE AND CONTROL: RIBADU'S PETROLEUM SECTOR REPORT

THE IMPERATIVE OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS