Repsol begins development of Perla field, Venezuela

Repsol Chairman, Antonio Brufau, Eni Chairman, Paolo Scaroni, and the Venezuelan Minister of Popular Power for Oil and Mining Rafael Ramirez signed the natural gas supply agreement for the Perla field development.

The Perla super-giant field, which contains over 16.3 trillion cubic feet of gas in place, equivalent to approximately 3 billion barrels of oil, was discovered by Repsol and Eni in 2009 in the Cardon IV block, and is located 50 miles offshore in shallow water of the Gulf of Venezuela.

Since the discovery, a total of five gas wells have been drilled, which will now be put into production using offshore platforms and underwater connections which will carry the gas onshore, where it will be processed and sent through the Venezuelan distribution network.

The project will be developed in phases, with the first phase entailing an estimated investment of $1.5 billion, including the exploration and evaluation phase in which 300 million cubic feet/day of gas is expected to be produced. In the next two phases, production is set to rise fourfold to 1.2 billion cubic feet/day, which will be maintained until the end of the contract in 2036.

The supply contract, signed until 2036, with a mutual commitment to supply and purchase over 8 TCF of natural gas, will be one of the supply sources for the domestic gas demand in Venezuela, which is expected to grow along with industrial, petrochemical and power generation consumption in the coming years. Given its large size, the field also offers new opportunities for natural gas exports, which Repsol and Eni will analyze with PDVSA and the Ministry of Popular Power for Oil and Mining.

The license for the Cardon IV block was awarded to Repsol and Eni at 50% each. Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, will participate with a 35% share in the development of the project, with Repsol and Eni's shares at 32.5% each.

View the original article here

Total exploring Angola's Kwanza Basin

Total is expanding its presence in Angola with three new exploration blocks in the deepwater Kwanza Basin.

Total signed three production sharing agreements with state-owned Sonangol on December 20, 2011.

"We are very pleased with the licensing round awards," said Marc Blaizot, Senior Vice President, Exploration at Total Exploration & Production.

"They reflect Total’s commitment to continuing as a key investor and oil operator in Angola, as well as playing a leading role in exploring this promising deepwater basin. We will be leveraging our proved deep offshore expertise and know-how. These awards demonstrate and reinforce Total’s bold exploration strategy."

Total will operate Blocks 40 and 25 with respectively a 50% and a 35% interest and be a partner with a 15% interest in Block 39. Sonangol is the concession holder for these acreages.

On Block 40, Total (operator) will be partnering with Sonangol P&P (30%) and Statoil (20%). The block is located in water depths ranging from 1,500 to 3,400 metres and covers an area of around 7,604 square kilometres.

As operator of Block 25, Total will be partnering with Sonangol P&P (30%), Statoil (20%) and BP (15%). This block is located in water depths ranging from 700 to 2,200 metres and covers an area of around 4,842 square kilometres.

On Block 39, with a 15% interest, Total will be partnering with Statoil (55%, operator) and Sonangol P&P (30%). The block is located in water depths ranging from 1,330 to 3,400 metres and covers an area of around 7,831 square kilometres.

All three blocks are located in Angola’s largely under-explored deepwater Kwanza Basin. The main objective is to explore for pre-salt deposits in these blocks, which share promising geological similarities with the prolific Santos and Campos Basins in Brazil, where in recent years, major discoveries have been made in this type of play.

Over an initial exploration period of five years, around 14,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic will be acquired and five exploration wells drilled with presalt objectives in aggregate over the three blocks.

View the original article here

BP wins Angolan acreage

BP gained access to five more deepwater exploration and production blocks offshore Angola.

These give BP a leading position in Angola, with interests in nine blocks accounting for a total acreage of 32,650 square kilometres (km2).

The production sharing agreements were for four new blocks covering 19,400 km2 in the Kwanza and Benguela basins.

Sonangol’s president Manuel Vincente and BP group chief executive Bob Dudley attended the signing ceremony in Luanda.

Separately, BP has recently taken a 40% stake in the 4,840 km2 Block 26 in the Benguela basin, by agreeing a farm-in deal with Brazilian national oil company, Petrobras, which operates the block.

"In October, we told the markets we would build on our strengths in exploration and in the deepwater to provide future growth for BP," said Bob Dudley.

"This new access builds on the major presence we have developed in Angola over the past 10 years, investing a total of $21 billion in the business.

"We plan to double our global spend on exploration and this huge new acreage gives us more great opportunities. We look forward to working with Sonangol in the Kwanza and Benguela basins.

"The last 14 months have been our most successful for a decade in gaining new access for exploration – with 69 new exploration licences in 11 countries."

BP was awarded operatorship of Blocks 19 and 24 with 50% interest, and additional non-operating interests in Blocks 20 (20%) and 25 (15%). With Block 26, the five new blocks cover a total area of 24,000 km2 in water depths from 200 to 2500 metres, and increase BP’s total Angolan acreage by 275%.

View the original article here

TEPCO seeks compensation $9 billion more for Fukushima

(Reuters) - Tokyo Electric Power Co. a body called for Government-backed rescue operation on Tuesday to help compensate victims of the nuclear crisis of his Fukushima Daiichi plant an additional 690 billion yen ($8.8 billion).

Japan's largest utility, called Tepco, costs help runs in trillion yen for compensation and cleanup that had Government already in November to meet agreed 890 billion yen through a bailout Fund.

"We have reviewed the estimated sum of compensation, after the Committee addressing compensation disputes providing for additional measures decided to compensate victims of that voluntarily evacuated," Tepco said in a statement.

TEPCO was 11 March can expect by the earthquake and tsunami in October by a consultative Panel it said compensation against bills for about 4.5 trillion yen in the first two years after the crisis, triggered.

Earlier this month guidelines said a separate control panel for compensation that Tepco can expect bills for a further 200 billion yen, media reported.

Trade Minister Yukio Edano, head of energy policy, is request expected on Tuesday already in January, approve a source of close to the matter of told of Reuters.

The March accident knocked reactor cooling systems at the plant, 240 km (150 miles) northeast of Tokyo, triggering meltdowns and radiation leaks, the approximately 80,000 forced people had to leave their homes.

The roots of the crisis have been Tepco of independence into question, and sources told of Reuters already can inject the Government about $13 billion in it this month next summer in a de-facto nationalization.

The utility also additional credits and plans to companies electricity tariffs struggle with the cost of fuel, thermal loss looking for nuclear power, in April.

The crisis has on the Government, review its energy policy encouraged and Edano is set to announce later Tuesday with an agenda for the discussion of reform of the power supply.

This is expected to include separation of energy production and transmission, that help would deregulate enter through the smaller players, media reported. ($ 1 = 78.1000 Japanese yen)

Natural gas industry pins hopes on coal the decline

By Simone Sebastian
Houston Chronicle

The haste that promises a century the nation energy with heating oil supply drilling natural gas is a critical element is missing:

Demand.

Technology that buried fossil fuels allows a hole has frenzy in Slate rock regions, including North Texas Barnett Shale, pushing the supply of natural gas at a record high and its prices to sinus of cavernous lows drills on tight. But consumer desire for fuel have slowed down heat energy-efficient buildings and a mild autumn in the North.

"There is a lot of gas in the market now, to go but not many places," said Bruce McDowell, Director of policy analysis for the American Gas Association.

Increasingly, industry observers say, is the most promising cure for the glow of the waning popularity of coal. The Federal push to limit emissions has search utilities for low-cost alternative to traditional coal-fired plants.

"We have to find a way, use to increase for natural gas," said McDowell. "Power generation is the obvious choice."

Since 2008 the price of natural gas decreased thermal Friday units on $3.11 at close of trading from its high of $13.58 per million British. Natural gas undertakings include chills on December demand and prices drive.

But this year the cold weather season started with a record high supply of natural gas in the market, while heating needs have remained so far low, Alan Lammey said energy markets, lead analyst for WeatherBell analytics.

The circumstances are not isolated. The United States on natural gas heating for years, cooling was as offices and homes more energy efficient.

The number of oil rigs in the North American gas fields has fallen 14 percent last year dropped to 802, according to Baker Hughes, the rig is tracked. But there are signs that gas at the dawn of a golden age.

Political pressure is driving power generators burn cleaner to look at natural gas as an alternative to coal.

Echols: Solar energy subsidies raises questions

I was recently the swing vote on Georgia Public Service Commission blocked a solar subsidy that would - appeared on the electricity bill by more than 2 million Georgia power customers for 20 years. As the votes have, many people to asked me to reconsider and to support the measure. While it very enticing could I simply to make decision not peace to increase the prices.

My first vote against the solar subsidy surprised many, because I have solar power for me at home. Also, I organized the "solar express" train ride in South Georgia and Georgia tirelessly supported solar companies and existing solar cells. In fact, in this summer by a vote of 5-0, I got the other four public service Commission members create a 50-megawatt solar program - without a subsidy. I was with this fine. This program will provide in the year 2015, increase our entire solar portfolio.

But it came time for me vote this plan change, and adding a subsidy on taxpayer bills to accelerate solar deployment, the promise, which I Georgians made to their prices, promoting free-market systems and Government interference in a minimum kept low to keep ECHO in my head.

These three guidelines would be hurt if I supported the subsidies.

The most tempting moment Georgia came when the solar promised development company which won the offer, use panels instead of Chinese panels if I have my voice changed. This offer has me to lose some sleep. However held principles I set out come back to the voters.

First, I had me wondering whether the taxpayer subsidy for Georgia was the right consumers, not only the companies, that would benefit. On the basis of information from the consumer groups that contacted me to do this, it was not a good idea.

I was wondering whether all other reasonable options have been exhausted. In this case of which bid is only at the beginning, and other solar developers in the queue process believe that they should have a shot, before we add a subsidy. We must therefore, be patient and let process run its course, like Commissioners Stan wise and Chuck Eaton have proposed the bid.

Another problem is whether the aid could improve the business climate in Georgia. May be some benefit to our solar subsidy "green" image and temporarily help a few companies, but the precedent by the increase in the prices without consulting creates controversy surrounding the integrity of the PSC set hearing process.

It is a question whether the aid would mean more jobs for Georgia. Certainly it is signed, because the two solar developers promise a document before it is me, Georgia company. This almost won me, but it is enough by itself?

Finally, I had to check whether the timing of this decision is. With the solar now so volatile market, and prices dropping fast, I hesitate, residential commit taxpayer for 20 years with a payout.

So, what can we do to Georgia bring more solar energy? I believe we must continue to raise ideas because of the nature fixed price of solar energy at the table. It has used no pollution, no spillage of liquids, and no water.

So, can makes companies for its existing plant sites, solar use avoid costly construction for networking and transfer? We can optimize our dosage Charter and incentive makes companies allow a bi-directional measurement, to produce more distributed generation? Ability House and apartment owners and companies with makes companies work and have installed solar systems and on their property financed that benefit both parties? And can Georgia power aggressively promote the current "green energy" programme and increase, solar infrastructure in Georgia triggering the construction of more?

With increasing regulatory requirements of coal, natural gas Glencore and nuclear energy, we need to find out, how to solar energy work as a hedge against government interference in our country.

• Tim Echols of Winterville is Georgia's newest member of the public service Commission.

Coal India switches to new pricing mechanism of Jan

Coal India Ltd is believed that the international gearing up recognized gross calorific value (GCV) to introduce-based mechanism by January 1, sources of prices. The change was advocated by the Union coal Ministry in October of this year.

The new system replaces the existing value seven useful heat (UHV) based class by a wider range of available, which each classified by a narrow bandwidth of GCV. An Indian nomenclature, developed in the 1970s defined UHV coal energy (kilo calories) per kilogram after discounting of moisture and ash content.
Revenue impact

The top management of CIL is previously announced that the new product classification revenue neutral, such as coal under any existing class offered are reclassified in such a way, so that the average price remains the same. Market sources, but suggest that a thin might "impact took up the new system" on the important coal.

Because calories per kg, different existing class by a wide range of 600-1,100 kg consumers - including the energy sector — in connection with better mines under any of this class can feel the pinch. However, should the costs of fuel sector as a whole does not significantly affected are.

According to sources, a solid proposal for conversion on GCV-based prices with effect from 1 January before the Board of Directors of the company in late next week can be placed.
Sector power factor

It may be mentioned that CIL supported conversion on GCV-based sale since 1998. Any such attempt - the latest in 2008-was in the face of strong opposition from the energy sector, which expected motive behind the move to a pricing.

"In view of the poor track record CIL in the provision of quality coal, we not only the ability of the company to implement the new system to the satisfaction of consumers;" We doubt the company intention behind such doubts, "said big business line. a senior official who makes private sector"

At pump was the year of the big squeeze 2011

NEW YORK — 30 years since gasoline has such a big bite from budget of families.

If the gifts from Grandma are unloaded and holidays is over, the typical American household is $4.155 a record fills up this year have issued. This is 8.4 per cent of which average family finds in the highest proportion since 1981.

Gas another deplorable record on average more than $3.50 per gallon this year. And next year not likely facilitate to bring.

In the past high gas prices in the United States hand in hand went with good economic times, making them less harmful to family finances. Now, despite slow economic growth and weak demand prices are high.

This is because demand for crude oil rises worldwide, especially in the developing countries of Asia and Latin America. But it puts the squeeze on the United States, where unemployment is high and many people that are jobs not always throws.

The case has caught Michael Reed at Charlotte, n.c. He was unable to find work since he lost his support for computer work in 2009. Now, high gas prices ask about what he has left. He and his wife will not exchange gifts this Christmas.

"I try to take as little as possible so that it not as a piece of my wallet," he says.

1981, As the economy slipped into recession and oil prices were high because of the Middle East turmoil, gas by 8.8 percent, from which says typical family budget Fred Rozell ate from the oil price information service.

In the last decade, gas has recorded 5.7 percent of budget of families. If only 5.7 percent spending families this year, it would have saved $1,300.

Gas should be $3.53 per gallon average for this year. Thats 76 cent more than in the last year. It is 29 cents per gallon more than 2008, if gas most recently record an annual, set $3.24. In the same year the price of oil a record in the summer but reduces the financial crisis in the fall hit.

In addition to families, leaving less money for food and go through to the cinema, tribute high gas prices a disproportionate on consumer confidence. People are better about small changes of in gas prices, because they drive past the signs of all time.

And the money on gas has spent less bang in the economy than, say, a dollar spent at a restaurant. The United States an oil is investing in new companies and jobs importing country, so many of the dollars expended leave the country instead, here gas finally.

James Hamilton, Professor of Economics at the University of California, San Diego, that energy prices studies, estimates that high gasoline prices growth of about 0.5 percent for the year reduced - a major hit for an economy grow only at an annual rate of around 2 percent.

Still, it could be worse. The US economy is much more fuel-saving, as it was during the oil spikes from the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1980 $1,000 were used for each performance, 1.07 barrels of oil. It took until the year 2010 the - 0.53 barrels, says half, Judith Dwarkin, Chief Energy Economist at ITG investment research.

Today, almost no oil uses the United States to generate electricity. The proportion of households with heating oil fell. And vehicles are less than ever thirsty - 20 percent more fuel efficient than later in the year 1980.

In addition the low price of natural gas has kept low heating and electricity costs for the same households give more money on gas.

Relief from high gas prices is nowhere in sight, though. Ed Morse, head of research were expected $100 a barrel with Citibank, oil next year, on average, that 2011 would eclipse the average of about $95 a barrel.

Tom Kloza, Chief oil analyst at OPIS, expected approach the gasoline prices to $4 per gallon again next spring.

Drivers keep gas guzzlers in the driveway, combine trips and more efficient cars to buy. Compared with the previous year, American gas consumption was that every week more than nine months, according to MasterCard SpendingPulse, a spending survey.

But this helps only so much. Hunter Collins, a software support engineer lives in Richmond, Maine, commute 40 miles each way to his job in Falmouth. He began to work van-pooling if it in turn is to drive more fuel-efficient car with a colleague and his wife.

It is still not enough. He says that he goes to his beloved cylinder Dodge Charger sell. "She's my baby, but I'll have to go to SI"

$9 for a gallon a gas in Alaska? What is the cost in your country?

A story last week reported that one might consider residents of Nome, Alaska, costly winter: $9 a gallon gasoline. The message has some 3,500 residents legally, in the coastal town of freaked out.

"It is going to kill us," said sunny song, owner of Mr.. cab, the children to school ferries, to give birth hospitals nurses of their houses and women patients.

According to the associated press report, a barge get usually carrying fuel from the banks prevents a winter storm. The most likely plan is it in fly, but it would be costly and could be a logistical nightmare.

A gallon gasoline was sold for $5.98 per gallon last week. Delivery on the next barge would be not until June of next year. In the meantime said flying fuel in the city that could increase costs per gallon from $3 to $4, officials.

Put that in context, the average price of a gallon gasoline in New York is about $3.60. In Missouri, it is only $3.017.

See what is the price at the pump in the neck of the Woods, AAA of the updated chart.

A Cleantech VC not convinced of human-induced climate change

Approach you moving - call me a hypocrite. My contention is that Cleantech Venture capitalists still I you say here and now, that I was not convinced of anthropogenic (human caused) climate change (aka global warming am). And I'll tell you bold, my beliefs on the climate in any way to run contrary to my strong belief in the need for a Cleantech revolution changes.

Many supporters of clean technologies make it seem as if anthropogenic climate change is an absolute fact. Some of them man-made climate change is almost like a religion where is no debate or doubt not tolerated. Some of them a heretic can call me just for the writing of this post.

At the same time, they are equally religious fervor and assurance that anthropogenic global warming is a scam at the other end of the spectrum. Are you sure that human emissions of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" never our climate could affect. And they can turn this post to make than an another data point against claims of global warming and extra logic nothing other than fossil fuel increase exploration.

In both groups, little about the subject other than the popular press is my perception that most read. And I find it equally sad in their short-sighted positions both groups. If both these camps would open their eyes, I suspect, would make it much more agreement on the need for action on clean technology, rather than the disagreement that create their polarized views.

There are sound scientific theories and extensive data on climate change report, anchored Panel, indicating the possibility of the United Nations intergovernmental that could over time human-induced greenhouse gas emissions impact on the global climate and may have already begun to do so. Released them from the hand, than some reasonable doubt there is irrational.

Also is to speak to anthropogenic climate change as a certainty or to claim that it no dispute among scientists simply wrong. There are many renowned climate scientists remain unconvinced. The reality is that all predictions of global warming are based on very complex climate models. We can weather forecast of a few days with sufficient accuracy but try if you predictions temperature quickly apart fall in the summer of next year - let alone long term global climatic conditions - things. Long-term climate models, which are anything but correct.

We know the climate changes with security, which have caused significant changes in the atmosphere over to natural occurrences. So, there is little doubt about whether changes in the atmosphere can cause climate change. The question is rather whether man-made emissions are important enough to cause a change on your own and to overcome the great natural powers on our climate, which include sunspots, variations in the orbit of the Earth and volcanoes have included not in the global warming forecasts.

Often there is a focus in the media about the recent differences in climate as a source of evidence for anthropogenic climate change. Variations in climate over short periods of time are very suspicious as evidence. While most scholars seem to agree that there have been increased temperatures and other in the last century climate change or so, what can not with safety be said, that caused the more CO2 this natural climate change events held, which have and continue to regularly happen with our planet. Even the UN Intergovernmental Panel on climate change report, which is the backbone of support for anthropogenic climate change, found that the confidence in which could be as low as 50 percent for most of the events and 66 percent for the other (pages 23 and 52 of the technical summary) human contribution to the fair weather events (such as temperature, storms, sea, etc.).

Climate change is measured over very long periods of time - tens of thousands of years or a few years. Some of the best long-term data on historical CO2 concentrations and temperatures comes from the glacial ice core data that spans back 400,000 years. These data show that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere measured in the past are remarkably more than 20% higher than any level 400,000 years (see Figure 1). The recent rapid increase in is also the industrial age and temperature fluctuations are in high correlation with CO2 concentrations. This is "hard" data or simply depreciation to ignore.

But the amount of CO2 now far below the estimated levels while many times in history (Figure 2) increase the possibility that other natural have contributed the current collection is interesting over longer periods of time. And the correlation between temperature and CO2, which seems so obvious in the core data of 400,000 years ice is clearly much less if you're looking over many millions of years.

While most scientists seem to think that, isolated, increased CO2 levels create a reinforced "" greenhouse effect while CO2 acts as a ceiling above the heat radiated from Earth go back into the room, to prevent concentration and which period remains a point of uncertainty and debate on what level. In addition, the warming is, as other factors that can occur with warming like increased moisture and clouds, as well as changes in absorption of CO2 in the ocean at different temperatures is dynamic and is much more effective other climate change uncertain.

The bottom line is that we don't really know if man caused climate change has, after it has already occurred for a very long time.

And that is the rabbit in the pepper. The theoretical cost of humanity of global warming are high: sank by rising ocean levels, polar ice, storm and significant changes in the precipitation patterns increases. If it has occurred to a significant degree, could any significant economic and health impact. But there is no certainty that we pay ever so a price. More compelling is what we know with near the town of security:

Fossil fuels are a finite resource and they pollute. Reduction of environmental pollution is always a good thing. And with energy boom in demand in China and India, fossil fuels are a resource that will be scarcer and more expensive. You can argue about the pace, but few argue that it will happen. Also oil rich countries like Saudi Arabia started to accept this fact.
Increased sources of low-cost energy and more energy-efficient consumption have and continue to increase the standard of living.

Nations with greater diversity of energy sources need more economic and national security. The US Department of Defense believes that our national security climate change will affect. If anthropogenic global warming is first pays the price for the damage that we have made real, at the time it will be too late to reverse things quickly.

Surely that man caused climate change to demand or to claim that there is no risk of anthropogenic climate change are just as wrong and as well polarisierenden.

While it is not certain, there is evidence that suggests that human emissions of greenhouse gases can, change our climate in ways that could have dramatic consequences. We can do nothing and rolls the dice, which all OK can be you. Or we can steps to diversify our sources of energy from fossil fuels and increase our energy efficiency, not only reduce the risk of man-made climate change, but increase the robustness of our economy and our national defense.

Although debate about it should should the ultimate bipartisan issue without the divisive talk features how to best availability and use of the application of clean technologies for cleantech innovation support created by anthropogenic climate change, as if it is a fact or fiction.

We can use one "smart home" future reach?

New Hampshire, USA-the concept of smart grid utilities and consumers continue to confuse. Is it more cost effective? What is the best method for providing? Is the public ready for this? Do we need it actually?

J.d. power and Associates recently his "2011 smart energy behavioral segmentation consumer study," analyzes the consumers know and practices relating to energy efficiency and smart grid initiatives. The study divided consumers into different segments, to "innovator," customers, which significantly investing expenses for environmental and financial benefits "indifferent", those who are likely to change not their energy habits.

The study hopes utilities methods to optimize the energy efficiency and consumer habits to give. "Instead of focusing on how customers perceive intelligent energy, itself, is key to a stronger commitment in the understanding of the types of behaviors which require different types of customers behaviors, the utilities are - hope to promote," said Peter Shaw, senior director of the smart energy practice with j.d power and associates.. "Provides an efficient framework to optimize effective customer education and engagement strategies developed intelligent behavior in large to introduce various customer populations."

So which working methods for the majority of consumers? We live in a world, tech-savvy, where the public eagerly awaits the next iPhone so they can spend their free time on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Can utilities on our Web-based culture be?

Test projects run including the (NRECA) demonstration project funded by the Department of energy to determine the possibilities, in the United States, national rural electric cooperative association. It aims to reach more than 700,000 consumers in 12 Member States. The project has many objectives, of which cost-cutting and efficiency is, which often are distances between houses and where utilities are forced, major efforts to travel services. It is to its customers with energy-efficiency practices to educate.

The project is innovative technology strategies including local shows to achieve Web portals and other advanced infrastructure to improve the energy monitoring and efficiency, its objectives.

Other well-known companies are gearing up to release "smart home"-technology. At the last 2011 solar power international map in Dallas, Texas, Sanyo announced that there is a with Brightgrid partnership is, to unveil a new solar leasing program. With each contract, they include a free 3D television. What has this to do with a smart House? Sanyo shows the aim to release of a home energy of management system on the TV show, there are away.

Customers are able to their energy view consumption habits their renewable system efficiency monitor and use media statistics social with family, friends and neighbors share. "We try to make a joint." "People are now separated, and we try straight, restore", said Matt White by Sanyo. Be connected not only consumers, will they be trained. The system includes games and other features, to inform users about energy efficiency. "It is the next step in a smart home," said White.

Recently, SunReports have the social media market with a Facebook application that displays solar panel efficiency. "If you publish it on Facebook, you can use your friends questions about," Oh, I didn't know you had solar. As is, that the work? "Promotes dialogue and awareness of solar for all", said Tom Dinkel, CEO of SunReports. The overall goal is to promote the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

So you take each test project with innovation, utilities closer on the smart-grid in our lives to integrate a small step. The question is: they are on the right track?

Chevron natural gas discovery offshore Western Australia

Posted at: December 15, 2011

Chevron reported a natural gas discovery by Australian subsidiary in the Exmouth plateau the Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia.

"Find Vos-1 of our Zwolfter offshore discovery in Australia since mid-2009," said George Kirkland, Vice President, Chevron Corporation.

"Our successful drilling program offshore Western Australia shows Chevron global exploration."

Vos-1 is also about occurred 453 feet (138) net gas pay. Located the well was drilled 1484 meter of water in the field permit WA-439-P about 186 miles (300 km) of Exmouth on the western coast of Australia, in 4869 to a depth of 12.461 (3798m).

"Our ongoing exploration success of our Australian raw materials base further underpins our drive as a leading supplier of liquefied natural gas markets and gas to Western Australia, to", said melody Meyer, President, Chevron Asia Pacific exploration and production.

Chevron Australian subsidiary is the operator of WA-439-P and holds a 50 per cent, with shell development (Australia) Pty Ltd holds the remaining 50%.

Written by Richard Price, editor, energyme.com. Follow energyme.com on Twitter @ Energyme. Information provided by companies or PR agencies, are responsible for the content. Send press releases in Word format to richard@energyme.com

View the original article here

Republic Kazakhstan involved in Karachaganak project

Companies in the giant Karachaganak gas condensate field in the North-Western Kazakhstan of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RoK) and the Contracting Parties have reached an agreement which will support the further development of the field.

To acquire the agreement Kazakhstan of KazMunaiGas (KMG) a 10% interest in the project.

This is done by each of the contracting companies 10% of their rights and interests in the Karachaganak final production sharing agreement (FPSA) CMM transferred to.

"BG Group looks forward to working with CMM as a partner in the project Karachaganak, one of the world's largest gas and condensate fields,", said Sir Frank Chapman, BG Group Chief Executive.

"This agreement represents an excellent result for the project partners as well as for the Government and the people of Kazakhstan".

Before tax, return under the agreement of the contracting companies Karachaganak is $3 billions of dollars. The main elements are:

The contracting companies receive cash payment before tax $1.5 billion of RoK in exchange for a 5% interest of CMM in the FPSA will take place.The contracting companies get an additional $1.5 billion before tax idea of 500 million$ and $1 billion non-cash payment, in exchange for a second 5% of the FPSA transferred to KMG. The non-cash consideration includes definitively and irrevocably settlement of costs and other related requirements and the allocation of one additional 2 million tons per year capacity for the Karachaganak project in the Caspian pipeline Consortium pipeline export.The contracting companies be responsible be paid back loans to the CMM in installments over a three year period for the payment of tax on the entire Kaufpreis.Die party to the agreement make $ 1 billion from $1 billion. The loan will be repaid from the proceeds of CMM share of oil and gas sales interest by Samruk Kazyna, a warranty of its 10% Kazakhstan of sovereign wealth funds secured.

"Karachaganak is estimated, hydrocarbons initially in place of 9 billion barrels of condensate and 48 trillion cubic feet gas - to date have produced less than 10% of this resource is" Ashley Almanza, BG Group Executive Vice President said.

"Today's agreement ensures strong alignment with the Republic of Kazakhstan and forms the basis for the realization of the great remaining potential and the value in Karachaganak."

BG group interested in the project Karachaganak is set already strongly 29.25% of 32.5%.

BG Group remains common operator with ENI, which will hold also 29.25% (32.5% today).

Chevron holds 18% (20%); LUKOIL 13.5% (15%); and CMM 10%.

View the original article here

DOE Awards 7 million for storage technologies in fuel cell vehicles

This is an excerpt from EERE network news, a weekly electronic newsletter.

DOE on 12 December more than 7 million $ within four projects in California, Oregon and Washington, the hydrogen storage technologies for use in electric fuel-cell vehicles develop. The 3-year projects will help, cost and improve the performance of hydrogen storage systems through the development of innovative materials and advanced containers. DOE is committed to help advanced fuel cell technology research, bringing domestic automakers more electric fuel cell vehicles on the market.

The selected organizations provide close to $2 million in costs for storage systems to reduce the cost of compressed hydrogen leading projects, and develop materials for hydrogen storage advanced. Compressed hydrogen storage provides a short-term way to commercialization and lower costs for compressed tank systems availability and adoption speed up their market. Advanced materials-based storage hydrogen technologies enable more efficient memory on lower prints current compressed hydrogen tanks allow.

Among the projects DOE's Pacific Northwest used national laboratory a coordinated approach to reduce the costs associated with compressed hydrogen storage systems by focusing on the improvement of the carbon fiber composite materials and the development and production of hydrogen storage tanks. HRL laboratories, LLC, Malibu, California, explores an innovative approach to the hydrogen storage with altered fluids to absorb efficiently and can release hydrogen gas. DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and partners will use a theory guided approach to synthesize new materials with high hydrogen adsorption capacity. And a tied under the direction of the University of Oregon, including the DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, develop and test promising new materials for hydrogen storage. The proposed chemical hydrogen storage materials could liquid fuel and regeneration of hydrogen storage material, temperature and pressure ranges for both onboard mobile and stationary fuel cell applications suitable activate. See the DOE press release (copyright) and the fuel cell technologies program Web site.

View the original article here

Industry, national laboratories in DOE tap initiative of bureaucratic overhead

On the December 8, DOE announced a new pilot initiative to reduce the barriers that prevent that innovative companies work with the DOE national laboratories. The new arrangements for commercialization technology (ACT) initiative helps more quickly bring to market companies, job creation technologies, by allowing them work with laboratories from beginning to end, development and deployment of new clean energy technologies and other innovations. In January to announce selected DOE Laboratories to participate in the pilot project.

The ACT initiative catapulted removed obstacles for businesses and start-up companies interested in access to the research, facilities and scientists at national laboratories, innovative new products to market. Laboratories have DOE's a long tradition of cooperation with companies and universities for scientific research and technology development efforts, which have generated much progress, brought new businesses and supports the creation of new industries and jobs. The ACT framework connects to other current DOE legal mechanisms for cooperation with national laboratories, including work on other program and cooperative research and development agreements.

Addressing input from the industry based on their experience in dealing with national laboratories, authorized one ACT to facilitate the intellectual property rights always technology from the laboratory to the market more flexible framework for negotiations on. It allows also contractors operating laboratories with businesses using terms that are better aligned with industry practice to attract more private investment. ACT allows laboratories to participate in groups formed to complex technological challenges that are of common interest. For the ACT initiative, see the DOE press release (copyright) and a list of frequently asked questions.

View the original article here

Drop in bio-fuels, you fly in Commerce City (Colorado)

Aerial view of the Rentech the pilot scale biofuels plant in Commerce City (Colorado).
Credit: Rentech

Developing a key to our efforts, U.S. to end dependence on foreign oil and to ensure a secure energy future is robust, even supporting biofuels industry. A decisive step in promoting a domestic biofuels industry is to establish nationally integrated biorefineries.

Bio-refineries oil refineries are similar in concept; However, instead of to oil and other fossil resources, bio-refineries using organic goods to a wide variety of fuels, organic products, chemicals, and heat and makes to produce.

The DOE Office of energy efficiency and renewable energy works in partnership with industry to develop, build, operate, and integrated biorefineries nationwide review at various levels (pilot, demonstration and commercial). Such a project, under the direction of ClearFuels Rentech, recently celebrated the completion of a pilot-scale bio-refinery in Commerce City (Colorado).

Built with funds from the American recovery and Reinvestment Act, the pilot-scale plant converts wood waste, agricultural residue, and bagasse - the unused portion of the sugar cane - in renewable diesel and kerosene. ClearFuels has developed a procedure to the thermochemically types convert a variety of feed stock - using a combination of heat and chemicals manufacture for fuel. The "drop" bio-fuels produced at the site is diesel a direct replacement based on crude oil and jet fuel, without any changes to existing fuel distribution networks or engines provide. This flexibility enables commercial and military aircraft for the transition to a clean, domestic fuel source, which reduces its effect not only on the environment, but also increases the national security by you them with an alternative offer. Read the energy blog post.

View the original article here

Fueling the Navy green fleet with advanced biofuels

Of oil, energy plays a central role in almost everything, what does the U.S. military fuel nozzles and vehicles to supply battery packs, infantry. It is essential that energy sources maintain the military are subject to the whims of the outer Nations by this dependency. Another option for fuel are increasingly as important produces renewable energy sources as solar play in this effort, advanced biofuels in Germany.

The latest milestone in this effort to our energy supplies to secure is the December 5 announcement that the defense of Logistics Agency has signed 450,000 gallons of domestic purchase extended drop in bio-fuel for the Navy. This agreement builds from a new partnership between the Navy, DOE and the Department of agriculture investing to advanced biofuels for military and commercial transport - up to $ 510 million and it represents, the largest purchase ever undertaken of bio-fuels by the Government.

By 2016, the Navy, a large green plans fleet powered to provide alternative fuels. Advanced biofuels, which help fuel would be the proposed Navy ships and aircraft from a variety of biomass ingredients in some regions of the country.

So, what's behind the rise of biofuels? There was considerable progress in the pursuit of a better recipe for bio-fuels in large part. Instead of the processing of raw materials, which could otherwise be used for food, the next-generation fuels can be produced from a variety of ingredients including dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass, to the non-edible parts of maize plants unmarketable wood from the forest industry - resources, which otherwise would go to lose to and with them our fuel energy independence. Read the energy blog post.

View the original article here

Lundin Petroleum spuds Bertam-2 appraisal well

Lundin Petroleum spudded the Bertam-2 appraisal well in the PM307 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) area, offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

Bertam-2 is planned to be drilled to a total depth of 1,888 metres by the jack-up rig Offshore Courageous.

The objectives of the well are to appraise and test the Oligocene lower coastal plain sandstones of the PM307 PSC area.

The Bertam field was discovered by the Bertam-1 well drilled in 1995. Bertam-1 discovered oil in the K10 sandstone reservoir and flowed 34°API oil at a rate of 624 barrels of oil per day on a short-term production test.

Bertam-2 is located to the northeast of the Bertam-1 discovery well in 76 metres water depth and aims to test the continuity and quality of the K10 oil reservoir and also explore the potential of deeper sands in an independent closure on the northern side of the structure.

The PM307 PSC is operated by Lundin Malaysia BV with 75 percent equity interest. Partner in PM307 is PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. with 25 percent.

Bertam-2 is the fifth and final well in Lundin Petroleum's 2011 Malaysia exploration drilling campaign.

View the original article here

Shares gain on EU deal and data but drag the Outlook

(Reuters) - shares rose on Friday after EU Heads of State and Government on measures, part of the sovereign debt crisis crippling region in the U.S. consumer confidence rose more address as in December expected.

The Summit agreed to stricter budget rules for eurozone, but not to save changes of the Treaty in all Member States. Investors appeared to embrace the business with the FTSEurofirst 300 index of best European shares.FTEU3 0.6 per cent.

"Some were hoping for a larger amount, but we see a lot more meat behind the trouble with these measures," Dennis Wassung said Portfolio Manager in Cabot money management in Salem, Massachusetts.

"We expect more volatility this problem going forward, but this is a good step in the right direction."

U.S. consumer confidence rose by early December due to signs of better working conditions according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary reading on their entire index of consumer confidence to its highest level in six months and improved Outlook on the economy, more than expected.

Shares have risen in anticipation of a plan with the s & P 500 up 6.5 percent since November 25. But Wall Street fell on Thursday after the European Central Bank hopes for the purchase of additional bond destroy made. Markets were volatile, in response to each banner from Europe.

Banks, who was forced by the uncertainty, gained on the news. Bank of America Corp. (BAC.)(N) rose 1.3% to $5,66, while JPMorgan Chase & co. (JPM).(N) added 1.7% to $32.75 and Citigroup Inc (k.n) rose by 2.3 percent to $28.37. Choose the financial sector SPDR (XLF.)(P) rose by 1.2 per cent.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average. DJI rose 139.67, points, or 1.16 per cent, at 12,137.37. 500 Index.SPX is standard & poor's 15.06 points or 1.22 per cent, at 1,249.41. The NASDAQ Composite was 26.68 points, or 1.03 per cent, at 2,623.06 Index.IXIC.

Signals were some caution, but by large US companies. DuPont and co (dd)(N) by 6.2 percent to $43.60 after the Dow component, its 2011 profit Outlook cut citing slower growth in some companies.

Beendigtes are the focus of the day after Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN.)(N) cut its revenue Outlook for the current quarter, warning of lower demand. Altera Corp. (ALTR.)(O) also cutting you its fourth quarter an Outlook late Thursday.

Texas Instruments fell 4.5% to $ during the 28,58 Altera was 2.8 percent to $34.58.

Wind turbine fire 'freak' incident

Renewable energy experts have as a "freak" occur a wind turbine in winds where fire started an event fired.

High turbine Ardrossan was 328 ft (100 m) wind farm, near the A4 in North Ayrshire, destroyed after it exploded into flames could be seen "far".

Charles Anglin, of RenewableUK, trade and Professional Association for the UK wind and marine renewables, stressed that wind turbines were regularly exposed to "some pretty harsh conditions" without problems.

He said: "there are some pretty freak weather goes and a piece of large power generation equipment can freak accidents or mechanical failure."

"But there is an excellent health and safety, and it was only a small fire in a field which was used before the fire there, and no one was hurt." "Makes mistakes in stressful situations devices can develop, and this applies to gas, nuclear, oil, and also applies to wind."

Meteorologists said that some recovery from the hurricane would offer wind conditions, the parts of the country have crushed.

Northern England and Scotland the worst affected areas with top wind speeds of 165 km/h were recorded at the Summit of the Cairngorms in Aberdeenshire on Thursday, according to the met Office.

It led to thousands of schools closed and cut off makes for tens of thousands of houses, but forecasters said the worst of the winds on the North-East Scotland and the Shetland Isles will be limited. All the important bridges were closed in Scotland, as wind blew an articulated truck on the A87 in Glenshiel in the Highlands, but the driver was not injured.

ScottishPower said that it had joined more than 18,000 customers who makes more than 100 individual mistakes due to the lost. Meanwhile, Scottish Hydro said that the storm peak, approximately 105,000 customers without power from more than 400 separate major events affecting the network in the North of Scotland and Western and Northern Islands were left. It said that work was continue to restore electricity to more than 70,000 customers.

Cooling of the Scottish economy of around 100 million pounds be PricewaterhouseCoopers Meanwhile warned that bad weather could be the early closure delay businesses, power outages, roadblocks or stopping supplies and staff take time out of their toll.

Producing Clean, Renewable Diesel from Biomass

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

By Paul Bryan, Biomass Program Manager, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

After a rigorous testing process, DOE project partners at ThermoChem Recovery International (TRI) have validated a process that converts wood waste and forest residue into clean, renewable fuel. Pilot validation is a key milestone for biofuels companies like TRI. With critical engineering data in hand and the testing phase complete, TRI can now begin the journey toward full-scale commercialization of a proven technology.

With the support of DOE funding, TRI has done substantial testing of a thermal gasification and gas-to-liquids process at its pilot plant in Durham, North Carolina. Through its operations, TRI has converted several hundred tons of 100% woody biomass feed stock into diesel fuel and paraffin waxes. TRI has collected over 1,000 hours of operational data that validate the process, while meeting or exceeding all of their operational and product yield targets.

This achievement will directly benefit two biorefinery projects in Wisconsin that are cost-shared by DOE: NewPage Corporation's biorefinery, "Project Independence," in Wisconsin Rapids and Flambeau River Papers biorefinery in Park Falls. TRI's data will help inform final engineering design of their future biorefineries. The gasification and gas-to-liquids technology will be integrated into their existing pulp and paper mills to produce clean, renewable, marketable diesel fuel and paraffin waxes, and will provide additional renewable energy by supplying steam and hot water to the co-located paper mill. See Energy Blog post.

View the original article here

DOE Awards $12 Million in the Rooftop Solar Challenge

The SunShot Initiative's Rooftop Solar Challenge will boost installation of solar panels like these shown on a Chicago building.
Credit: Social Security Administration

DOE announced on December 1 its $12 million in funding for the awardees of the Rooftop Solar Challenge. The Challenge supports 22 regional teams in 18 states to spur solar power deployment by cutting red tape. The effort streamlines and standardizes permitting, zoning, metering, and connection processes, while also improves finance options for residential and small commercial rooftop solar systems. This project is part DOE's SunShot Initiative, and is designed to make solar energy more accessible and affordable, increase domestic solar deployment, and position the United States as a leader in the global solar market.

Using a "race to the top" model, the Rooftop Solar Challenge incentivizes the regional awardees to address the differing and expensive permitting, zoning, metering, and connection processes required to install and finance residential and small business solar systems. The 22 teams bring together city, county, and state officials, regulatory entities, private industry, universities, local utilities, and other regional stakeholders to clear a path for rapid expansion of solar energy and serve as models for other communities across the country. The teams will implement step-by-step actions to standardize permit processes, update planning and zoning codes, improve standards for connecting solar power to the electric grid and increase access to financing. Non-hardware costs like permitting, installation, design, and maintenance currently account for up to 40% of the total cost of installed rooftop photovoltaic systems in the United States.

The SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort to make solar cost-competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. See the DOE press release, a complete list of awardees, and the SunShot Initiative website.

View the original article here

Nexen, CNOOC in JV Partnership

Nexen has concluded a joint venture with CNOOC Limited in the Gulf of Mexico.

The joint venture will give CNOOC Limited a working interest in up to six deepwater exploration wells in the Gulf. Among the prospects included in the deal are the Kakuna well, which is currently drilling, and the Angel Fire well, which is expected to spud in 2012.

CNOOC Limited will participate in Kakuna, Angel Fire, and Cypress with a 20% working interest. CNOOC Limited may also participate in three additional exploration wells with a 10% to 25% working interest. The venture does not include any interest in our Appomattox discovery or related Norphlet formation prospects.

"This agreement is the culmination of an extensive process to recognize some of the value our exploration team has created in the Gulf of Mexico," said Marvin Romanow, Nexen's President and CEO.

"We are seeing a gradual return to normal activity in the Gulf and this deal is a reflection of the fact that the basin remains a very exciting one for deepwater exploration prospects."

"Nexen's strategy in the Gulf of Mexico is to mature prospects at a high working interest, and then utilize joint venture agreements like this one to reduce our interest to our target level of 25%-30%, while recognizing the potential of our exploration portfolio," continued Romanow.

Drilling on the Kakuna well on Green Canyon block 504 is currently in progress. We also expect to spud the Angel Fire well on Green Canyon block 327 in 2012.

View the original article here

Lundin Petroleum spuds appraisal well, offshore Norway

Lundin Petroleum reported that drilling of the appraisal well 16/5-2S on the Avaldsnes discovery located in the North Sea sector of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), has commenced.

The planned total vertical depth is approximately 2,150 meters below mean sea level and the well will be drilled using the semi-submersible drilling rig Bredford Dolphin.

The drilling operation is expected to take approximately 40 days.

The objective of the well is to appraise the Avaldsnes discovery following the 16/2-6 discovery well in 2010 and the successful appraisal wells 16/3-4 and 16/2-7 drilled earlier this year. The 16/5-2S well will be followed in 2012 by further Avaldsnes appraisal wells in PL501.

Lundin Petroleum has previously announced estimated gross contingent recoverable resources for the Avaldsnes discovery located in PL501 of between 800 million and 1.8 billion barrels of oil.

The gross contingent recoverable resources of the Aldous Major South discovery located in PL265 have been estimated previously by Statoil at between 900 million to 1.5 billion barrels of oil.

The Avaldsnes/Aldous Major South discovery is therefore estimated to contain gross contingent recoverable resources of 1.7 to 3.3 billion barrels, which is one of the largest discoveries on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Lundin Petroleum is the operator of PL501 with 40 percent interest. Partners are Statoil Petroleum AS with 40 percent and Maersk Oil Norway AS with 20 percent interest.

Lundin Petroleum is a partner with a 10 percent interest in PL265. Statoil Petroleum AS is the operator with 40 percent, Petoro has 30 percent and Det Norske oljeselskap ASA has 20 percent interest.

View the original article here

TAG to drill 18 wells at Cheal

TAG Oil has received consent from the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) and the Stratford District Council (SDC) to drill 18 new wells within TAG’s 100%-owned Cheal Oil and Gas Field in New Zealand.

The final decision granting consent in support of TAG’s drilling operations was handed down by the SDC-appointed independent commissioner after an affected landowner requested a hearing.

The consent grant is subject to an appeal process that must be lodged within 15 days of the consent.

TAG plans to resume drilling operations at Cheal on or about December 16, 2011 if an appeal is not filed.

"We are pleased to have received the commissioner’s decision consenting to TAG’s drilling program," said Garth Johnson, CEO of TAG.

"Consent was granted after an independent review of all pertinent information, and therefore I trust that common sense will prevail and an appeal will not be filed. We look forward to drilling the Cheal-B6 well in the next few weeks and getting more than 40 concerned drilling employees back to work."

TAG Oil also has exclusive rights to a state-of-art drilling unit. Under the terms of the agreement with Petra Drilling, a 100%-owned subsidiary of New Zealand-based Webster Drilling and Exploration, TAG will provide secured financing for Petra to acquire and deliver to New Zealand the fully automated VR500 rack and pinion, top-drive drill rig.

In exchange, TAG has secured a fixed price for future drilling, as well as the first right of refusal on use of the rig until all financing has been repaid.

"This is a great opportunity for TAG Oil and the New Zealand oil and gas industry," said Johnson.

"The VR500 rig is safer, more efficient, highly cost-effective and most importantly, it is environmentally friendly with a significantly smaller footprint on the area where drilling operations take place."

View the original article here

DOE Highlights Commissioning of Army Fuel Cell System

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

DOE on November 17 recognized the commissioning of an innovative fuel cell system at the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The fuel cell will supply the facility with emergency backup power. The four-stack system is one of the first of 18 fuel cells to be installed and operated at military bases across the country under an interagency partnership between DOE and the Department of Defense. Under the partnership, the departments test how the fuel cells perform in real-world operations, identify technical improvements manufacturers can make to enhance performance, and highlight the benefits of fuel cells for emergency backup power applications.

Compared with batteries, fuel cells are a reliable source of backup power because they offer long continuous run times and greater durability in harsh outdoor environments, which makes them ideal power sources for military applications. Unlike traditional electricity generators used for backup power, fuel cells use no petroleum and are quieter. And, they produce fewer pollutants and emissions than traditional generators do. Fuel cells also typically require less maintenance than either batteries or traditional generators do, and they can easily be monitored remotely to reduce maintenance time.

Aberdeen Proving Ground will also install three 5-killowatt (kW) fuel cells to provide critical back up power to its Range Control and Coordination Building, and an 8-kW fuel cell to provide backup power to the Snow Emergency building. Seven other military installations will install emergency fuel cell backup power under the memorandum of understanding signed by DOE and Defense in 2010. The Defense Department will manage the $6.6 million project, and DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory will collect performance data for the first two years of this five-year demonstration, making the data available to fuel cell developers and commercial and government leaders interested in adopting this technology. See the DOE press release and DOE's Fuel Cells Technology Program website.

View the original article here

National Laboratory 'Flips Switch' on East Coast's Largest Solar Array

On November 18, the DOE Brookhaven National Laboratory "flipped the switch" on the largest solar photovoltaic array in the eastern United States. The 164,312 solar panels hosted at the lab in New York state—one of the largest solar farms built on federal property—will produce enough energy to power up to 4,500 homes.

The 32-megawatt Long Island Solar Farm Project, a collaborative project between the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and BP Solar International, Inc. (BP Solar), also boasts the smallest carbon footprint of any solar array with its amount of output. The use of a DOE site has helped attract investments from public and private sources, ensuring the economic success of the project and serving the nation's goal to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil.

"The result is a significant source of clean energy for Long Island, as well as a positive economic impact for the local workforce and businesses," said Mike Petrucci, CEO of BP Solar, noting that a true "team effort" contributed to the successful development and construction of the project. LIPA chief operating officer Michael D. Hervey said that the project will help New York state meet its goal of 30% renewable resources by 2015, in addition to the "creation of new, high-quality energy jobs." See the Energy Blog post.

View the original article here

DOD Picks 2012 Energy Technology Installation Demos

The Department of Defense's (DOD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program on November 18 announced 27 new projects to demonstrate emerging energy technologies on military installations. The Installation Energy Test Bed initiative plays a key role in testing, evaluating, and scaling up innovative new energy technologies to improve DOD's energy security and reduce its facility energy costs. DOD has 300,000 buildings on its installations and spends nearly $4 billion per year on the energy needed to operate them. Demonstrations generate the cost and performance data needed to validate promising technologies, allowing them to be "fielded" and commercialized more rapidly.

This latest round of projects was competitively selected from the 575 proposals submitted by private firms, universities, and federal organizations. The fiscal year 2012 awards cover five areas: smart microgrids and energy storage; advanced component technologies to improve building energy efficiency; advanced building energy management and control technologies; tools and processes for design, assessment, and decision-making associated with energy use; and technologies for renewable energy generation on installations.

On one project, Soladigm Inc, along with partners including DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will demonstrate dynamic windows to optimize solar heat gain and daylighting at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California. On another project, DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and partners will develop and apply a fleet management tool to schedule charging of plug-in electric vehicles at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. See the DOD press release and Installation Energy Test Bed Web page.

View the original article here

Lundin discovery offshore Malaysia

Lundin Petroleum has discovered oil in the Janglau-1 well that was drilled in Block PM308A, offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

Janglau-1 was drilled to a total depth of 3,820 metres by the jackup rig "Offshore Courageous".

The objectives of the well were Oligocene intra-rift sands and the underlying fractured pre-Tertiary section.

During drilling below 3,153 metres, oil was found in multiple pay sand units in an intra-rift sand/shale section that extended over a gross interval of approximately 300 metres. Oil samples were recovered at surface during drilling.

The well was successfully logged and petrophysical analysis indicates 24 metres of net oil pay. Pressure testing and fluid sampling were completed and oil samples recovered for laboratory analysis. A mini-DST test was successfully completed.

Following completion of the well further work will be undertaken on the data recovered to fully evaluate the discovery and it’s potential.

"Janglau-1 results is further validation of Lundin Petroleum's strategy of pursuing organic growth opportunities in focused core areas with evidence of active petroleum systems," said Ashley Heppenstall.

"This is Lundin Petroleum’s first discovery in this area and follows 2 prior gas discoveries in the Sabah core area drilled earlier in 2011. Janglau-1 confirms a new oil play where Lundin Petroleum has built a significant production sharing contract position. Lundin Petroleum together with partners look forward to further exploration drilling in PM308A in the coming years and building on the encouragement provided by Janglau-1."

The PM308A production sharing contract (PSC) is operated by Lundin Malaysia BV with 35 percent equity interest. Partners are JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Peninsular Malaysia) Limited with 40 percent and PETRONAS Carigali with 25 percent.

Following completion of Janglau-1 the Offshore Courageous jackup rig will move to the Bertam-2 appraisal well location in the adjacent PM307 PSC area.

View the original article here