English Edition

PetroChina takes back energy top slot

Τρι, 26 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 15:59

PetroChina, the oil company largely owned by the Chinese government, has overtaken ExxonMobil of the US to regain its position as the world’s largest listed energy group by market capitalisation.

Gazprom to Discuss Strategy as U.S. Market Set to Slip Away

Τρι, 26 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 14:58

Gazprom top executives are to hold a key board meeting today as the energy giant faces up to the possibility of losing the U.S. market. Respected Russian business daily Kommersant reported on Tuesday that abundant shale gas has made the United States, the world's largest natural gas market, self-sufficient while surplus liquefied natural gas undermines the competitiveness of Russian natural gas.

EIB provides 50 mln euros in funding for ‘Green Iraklio’

Τρι, 26 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 14:38

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the City of Iraklio in Crete signed an agreement yesterday for a 50-million-euro loan to the local authority of the island’s biggest city aimed at improving quality of life.

Russia Won't Change Oil Tax Before 11-12

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:58

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.

France's EDF Eyes 24% Rate Increase Plan

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:57

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

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:57

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

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:56

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

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:56

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

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:55

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

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:45

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

Δευ, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 18:44

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

Σαβ, 23 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 12:56

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

Σαβ, 23 Ιανουαρίου 2010 - 12:53

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.