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Russia Wont Change Oil Tax Before 11-12

Russia Won't Change Oil Tax Before 11-12

Russia's government won't replace the current oil export duty and mineral extraction tax with an excess profit tax, VTB says, following the finance ministry's comments on Friday.

Frances EDF Eyes 24% Rate Increase Plan

France's EDF Eyes 24% Rate Increase Plan

Electricite de France (EDF.FR) is discussing a plan to seek an increase of around 24% in power rates for the period between 2010 and 2015, according to Les Echos Monday, citing internal projections seen by the newspaper, which said a government source confirmed a range of between 20% and 30%.

Eni CEO Says Africa Growth Is Priority

Eni CEO Says Africa Growth Is Priority

Growth in Africa is a priority for Italian oil and natural gas company Eni SpA (E) and its planned acquisition in Uganda is "very" important," daily la Repubblica quotes Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni as saying Monday.

China Got 7.7M Tons Crude Via Kazakhstan Pipeline In 09

China Got 7.7M Tons Crude Via Kazakhstan Pipeline In '09

China received 7.73 million metric tons or around 155,000 barrels a day of crude oil from the Sino-Kazakhstan crude pipeline last year, the state-controlled Xinhua News Agency reported Monday.

E.On To Pay Gazprom In Full For Low Gas Imports In 2009

E.On To Pay Gazprom In Full For Low Gas Imports In 2009

Germany's E.On AG (EOAN.XE) has agreed to pay Russian gas firm OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) between $500 million and $700 million under a take-or-pay clause for gas deliveries in 2009, the Kommersant daily reported Monday citing people familiar with the talks.

Eni CEO Defends Plan Not To Sell Snam Rete Gas

Eni CEO Defends Plan Not To Sell Snam Rete Gas

Eni SpA (E) Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni defended his plan not to sell natural gas grid Snam Rete Gas SpA (SRG.MI), saying that his decision isn't dogmatic, according to an interview published Monday with daily la Repubblica.

Greece Bond Issue Met With Success

Greece Bond Issue Met With Success

The Greek government enjoyed a much-needed boost Monday as investors piled into its new €5 billion ($7.07 billion), five-year syndicated bond issue, registering more than €20 billion of orders in around three hours. But while getting some cash in the bank is the top priority, Greece is paying a chunky premium to ensure success.

EU opens probe into BHP, Rio iron joint venture

EU opens probe into BHP, Rio iron joint venture

European Union regulators opened an antitrust investigation on Monday into a planned iron ore production joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto worth $116 billion.

The Silence of Hybrids Causes Some Alarm

The Silence of Hybrids Causes Some Alarm

A popular, homespun (and perhaps slightly off-color) “advertisement” for the Toyota Prius, circulated on YouTube, features a hostage — bound, gagged, and on his knees — and a cartoonish terrorist barking provocations at the camera. “I challenge you to save this man,” the captor hollers as his prisoner squirms behind him. “Your advanced technologies are no match for our senses.”

A Pacific Island Challenge to European Air Pollution

A Pacific Island Challenge to European Air Pollution

A Pacific island nation has challenged plans by the Czech Republic to refit a coal-fired power station, in an appeal that environmental advocates on Monday described as the first of its kind. The case focuses on efforts by a Czech utility, the CEZ Group, to prolong the life of the power plant in Prunerov, close to the German border.

EU Faces Years More Wrangling Over Car Emissions

EU Faces Years More Wrangling Over Car Emissions

Europe's incoming climate chief is determined to crack down on emissions from cars, but any new goals are at least a decade away.  Connie Hedegaard will struggle against political inertia, the complexities of electric vehicles and the power of big auto, making a rigid 2020 target her best possible outcome. 

France Plans Transitional CO2 Tax for Big Emitters

France Plans Transitional CO2 Tax for Big Emitters

France has outlined plans to impose a carbon tax on large industrial installations until 2013 when they start paying for emission permits under the revised EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The tax would come into effect in July.

Energy Rush

Energy Rush

Bulgaria will introduce tighter rules for building new wind and solar power farms to tame a boom that has threatened to overload the Balkan country’s energy grid, the Environment Ministry said yesterday.

Russia To Tighten Budget This Decade; Fears Lower Oil Price

Russia To Tighten Budget This Decade; Fears Lower Oil Price

The Russian government won't increase budget spending in the coming decade, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Friday, after last year's slump in crude oil prices which prompted the country's first budget deficit in a decade.

Europipe, OMK, Sumitomo Awarded EUR1B Nord Stream Contract

Europipe, OMK, Sumitomo Awarded EUR1B Nord Stream Contract

Europipe, OMK and Sumitomo Corp. (8053.TO) have been awarded the EUR1 billion contract to supply 1 million metric tons of steel pipes for the second leg of the Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, Nord Stream said Friday.

Nord Stream Cuts Costs 38% For 2nd Leg Of Gas Pipe

Nord Stream Cuts Costs 38% For 2nd Leg Of Gas Pipe

The Nord Stream consortium said Friday it has reduced the cost of steel pipes for the second phase of the pipeline from Russia to Germany by 38%, compared with the value of the tender for the first phase in 2007.