The interim-deal with Iran should be given a fair chance, argues Friedbert PflĂŒger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS). The world economy would benefit if Iranian oil and gas exports could be restored. The climate would benefit if the massive flaring of gas in Iran and the prevailing energy inefficiency could be reduced and renewable energy investments stimulated. … [Read more...]
The battle over the worldâs largest wealth fund – and what it means for the energy sector
A broad movement has emerged in Norway to get the countryâs $720 billion sovereign wealth fund to invest in renewable energy. According to Terje Osmundsen, blogger and Senior Vice President of Scatec Solar, a globally leading solar power provider, such a change in strategy would have far-reaching effects on the global energy market. Not only directly, but also indirectly as Norwayâs fund is seen as a model by other SWFâs. Meanwhile, pressure is … [Read more...]
Interview Ambassador Wu: âAn energy revolution is very much neededâ
In a speech in Groningen at the Energy Convention 2013, Wu Jianmin, Executive Vice-Chairman of the influential China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, a government-aligned think tank in Beijing, declared that China âvery much needs an energy revolutionâ. China âdepends too much on coalâ, said Wu. But in an interview with Energy Post he added we should not expect miracles. âWe can't get rid of the coal yet.â … [Read more...]
Coal industry calls for emission performance standards
The World Coal Assocation  issued a CommuniquĂ© in Warsaw on 21 November at the much-criticized International Coal and Climate Summit which was held simultaneously with the UN Climate Conference COP19 in Warsaw. In this so-called Warsaw CommuniquĂ© the coal industry calls on governments to introduce performance standards for power plants to lower CO2 emissions in the world. The literal text of the CommuniquĂ© is as follows: "We note that while … [Read more...]
A likely way forward for global LNG and gas markets
US exports of LNG may be able to open up and integrate global gas markets, but only if there is enough gas â and if it gets to the market in time, writes Matteo Mazzoni of Italian research company NE Nomisma Energia. If not, it will find the window of opportunity closed by new pipelines and geopolitical arrangements. A look ahead at how world gas markets may develop. … [Read more...]
Egypt marches to a Saudi drummer
Saudi Arabia's foreign policy is primarily directed at two enemies: Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Saudis, writes foreign policy analyst Felix Imonti, are now planning to merge numerous fighting units in and outside of Syria into an Army of Mohammed. But where to base it? The obvious choice, says Imonti, is Egypt, now that the pro-Saudi Egyptian army has ousted the Muslim Brotherood. … [Read more...]
Exclusive interview IEA-Director Maria van der Hoeven: âWe cannot rule out new revolutionsâ
In its new World Energy Outlook (WEO), the IEA is cautious about the prospects of unconventional oil and gas outside the US. As regards shale gas, it notes that âuncertainty remains over the quality, the costs and public acceptance.â Yet in an interview with Energy Post, IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven notes that âthe gas is there. All geologists are agreed on that.â Moreover, âthere may be other surprises in store, for example with … [Read more...]
Why an EU-US trade deal matters for the energy sector
This week the second round of negotiations for an EU-US free trade agreement is taking place. Energy has not been making headlines in the context of these talks, but a TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) will have far-reaching implications for the energy sector, e.g. with regard to oil sands, LNG and shale gas. NGOâs worry that the TTIP will give big business the chance to undermine Europeâs environmental legislation. Sonja van … [Read more...]
Oil Espionage: US and UK tapped OPEC
News supplied by Commondreams.org written by Lauren McCauley Both the NSA and the U.K. spy agency, GCHQ, have infiltrated the computer networks of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), according to documents disclosed by whistleblower Edward Snowden and reported on by Der Spiegel Monday. As critics note, this latest disclosure illustrates, once again, the expanse of the U.S. and U.K. spy networks and the breadth of their … [Read more...]
Why a carbon tax is a bad idea
With the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) struggling and âcarbon credit fraudsâ in the news, many analysts argue we should get rid of carbon trading and opt for carbon taxes instead. But according to Alex Trembath and Matthew Step, carbon taxes will do nothing to cut emissions because they donât lead to innovation. âSteve Jobs didnât develop the PC because the price of typewriters went up.â … [Read more...]
Peak Coal in China – or long, high plateau?
Recent reports predicting a "peak" in Chinese coal power consumption are misleading, Armond Cohen and Kexin Liu of the Clean Air Task Force (CAFT) point out. The amount of Chinese coal-fired power generation will "continue to skyrocket". The same goes for other parts of Southeast Asia. The only way to prevent climate disaster is by scaling up carbon capture and storage (CCS). (Photo from Shanxi province by Bert van Dijk) … [Read more...]
“Franceâs fracking ban to remain for foreseeable future”
The decision to uphold the ban on hydraulic fracturing (âfrackingâ) in France by the constitutional court, preventing further exploration activities for shale gas reserves, is unlikely to change in the near future, despite the warnings of advocates that France will miss out on a significant source of cheap energy, says a new report from research and consulting firm GlobalData. According to the companyâs latest report, France Upstream Fiscal … [Read more...]
A future for CCS? Set emission performance standards
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has come to a dead end in Europe. Although the EU is carrying out a consultation to revive the CCS programme, it is already evident that the EU Emission Trading Scheme is too uncertain to provide a clear business case for CCS. If it wants to revive CCS, the EU should follow the US example and implement emission performance standards for power plants, argues energy consultant Vincent Swinkels. Photo: … [Read more...]
Fossil fuel euphoria: oil and gas forever!
A European country like Germany may have embarked on an energy transformation away from fossil fuels - with major German energy companies like RWE following suit - worldwide there is no such trend, notes US energy expert and author Michael T. Klare. On the contrary, countries and companies, particularly in the US, are euphoric about all the new "unconventional" oil and gas coming on the market. "What we're seeing is a sea change in elite thinking … [Read more...]
Interview Tony Hayward: “Kurdistan is a good place to be”
For independent oil companies, getting their hands on new exploration acreage where both technical risk and political risk are low is an illusion, says Tony Hayward, former BP chief and current CEO of the independent Anglo-Turkish oil and gas producer Genel Energy, in an interview with James Stafford of Oilprice.com. Exploring for oil and gas in new frontiers is all about striking the right balance between geological potential and political risk. … [Read more...]
