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Refinery Loan Signed

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 17:26

Chairman Tassos Giannitsis of Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), Greece’s largest refinery, is seen at a loan agreement ceremony held in Athens yesterday. ELPE secured a 400-million-euro loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union’s lending arm, to help fund an upgrade to its Elefsina refinery, west of Athens.

Nabucco to Sign Gas Deals by 2011

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 15:30

Europe's Nabucco project shareholders should get the gas supply deals needed to build the pipeline by the end of 2010 or early 2011, Nabucco's managing director said at the Reuters Global Energy Summit.

Limits on Building Renewable Energy Facilities on Arable Land Still on the Agenda - Bulgarian PM

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 14:05

The Bulgarian Government was still mulling enforcing limitations on the construction of solar panels and wind turbine parks on most of the country's arable agricultural land from first, through to fourth category, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov was quoted as saying by Bulgarian-language Dnevnik daily on May 26 2010.

Russian Expert Doubts Pyongyang's Involvement in Warship Sinking

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 14:04

A leading Russian expert on North Korea said on Thursday he had serious doubts about Pyongyang's involvement into the sinking of South Korea's Cheonan warship. Relations between the two Koreas soured after Seoul accused North Korea of firing a torpedo from a submarine at the 1,200-ton South Korean Cheonan corvette. The vessel sank near the disputed Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea on March 26 causing the loss of 46 lives.

BP Wants Houston Judge with Oil Ties to Hear Spill Cases

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 13:59

Facing more than 100 lawsuits after its Gulf of Mexico oil spill killed 11 workers and threatened four coastal states, oil giant BP is asking the courts to place every pre-trial issue in the hands of a single federal judge in Houston. That judge, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes, has traveled the world giving lectures on ethics for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Solar Firms in Horse Race for Technology Leadership

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 13:57

David Eaglesham, chief technology officer at First Solar, says all photovoltaic companies are scrambling to make efficiency and cost improvements. But if Europe is to retain its leadership, decisions on a regulatory framework are crucial, he told EurActiv in an interview.

Up From the Deep Sea: A Nightmare for Obama

Πεμ, 27 Μαΐου 2010 - 13:55

Unlike Hurricane Katrina and its immediate, frightful images of people in crisis, the gushing BP oil well has been a slow-moving behemoth that is now taking a political toll on the U.S. president. Obama was already immersed in a long list of problems -- pushing a financial regulation overhaul, prodding Europe to stem a financial crisis, pressuring Iran and North Korea.

IEA's Birol: Era Of Cheap Oil Is Over

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 18:34

The era of cheap oil is over and a combination of underinvestment in production and a faster-than-expected recovery could push prices high, the chief economist of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.

China, US Sign 8 Renewable Energy Deals

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 18:33

The U.S. and Chinese governments began a renewable energy partnership Wednesday in Beijing by signing eight government and corporation-level agreements covering five fields, state-run Xinhua News Agency said.

Russian Stocks May Fall 30% If Oil Slips To $50

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 18:33

In a scenario in which oil slips to $50 a barrel, Russia's RTS Index would likely fall to 900 to 1,000 from its current level of 1290, Troika Dialog says. The ruble would slip to between 35 and 37 to the dollar, while corporate profits would drop 30%, according to the broker.

Former Iraq Oil Chief Blasts Baghdad's Oil Deals

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 18:32

The former head of Iraq's largest state-owned oil company and advisor to the country's oil ministry has criticized deals Baghdad signed with international oil majors to develop some of its biggest fields.

E.ON Ruhrgas Targets Gulf,Africa For More Gas Supplies

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 18:31

E.On Ruhrgas AG chief executive officer Bernhard Reutersberg said Wednesday the company is seeking to secure natural gas from the Persian Gulf region and Africa to diversify its supply base and make up for dwindling European production of the fuel.

EU Climate Chief:Move To 30% CO2 Cut Now Would Not Make Sense

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 18:31

Moving to a more ambitious target of cutting CO2 emissions by 30% by 2020, from the present 20% goal, wouldn't make sense at the moment, as not all the conditions are right, the European Commissioner for Climate Action said Wednesday.

South Stream Signatures

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 13:41

Russia’s Gazprom and Greece’s natural gas grid operator DESFA will sign a deal on June 7 to build the Greek portion of South Stream, a Russian-led natural gas pipeline project, an official said on Monday. “The deal will be signed in Moscow,” DESFA spokesman Sotiris Hiotakis told Reuters.

China sets 5% tax on oil

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 13:25

China will levy a 5% resource tax on crude oil and natural gas sales and a 2% to 5% tax on coal in the Xinjiang region from 1 June, raising over 2 billion yuan ($292.8 million) for the region this year, according to local reports.

Russian Oil Companies to Pay Fines for Forcing up Petrochemical Prices

Τετ, 26 Μαΐου 2010 - 13:21

Russian oil companies will not only have to pay fines for breaking antitrust laws by forcing up petrochemical prices, but will also have to lower these prices, a Russian respected daily said on Wednesday.