http://www.oilandgasinsight.com Oil and Gas Insight RSS Feed from Business Monitor International en Copyright 2012, Business Monitor International Ltd Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:30 GMT Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:30 GMT AFP RSS Generator China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on February 7 2012 a rise in gasoline and diesel prices. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108826/Gasoline-Diesel-Prices-Cut-As-Government-Prepares-Subsidy-Reform.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT Indications have emerged that Russia's Gazprom does not intend to materially advance in 2012 the proposed Shtokman liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the Russian Barents Sea. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108825/Shtokman-LNG-Continues-To-Drift-As-Gazprom-Focuses-Elsewhere-In-2012-Spending-Plan.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT BMI View: The discovery of 34bcm of estimated total gross mean resources offshore Israel marks Noble Energy's sixth consecutive strike in the Levant basin. This is further good news for the company and for Israel as it will help the country weather the loss of Egyptian imports, achieve gas independence and increase revenues from gas exports and royalties. Considering the size of Noble's discoveries in Israel and Cyprus, we believe exports to Europe, through the construction of an FLNG, could be in store in the coming decade. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108794/New-Tanin-Discovery-Bolsters-FLNG-Export-Prospects.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT BMI View: The arrival of a new cargo at the Coryton refinery should provide PwC with 'vital breathing space' to negotiate a strategic sale of the plant. We believe that, despite Petroplus' bankruptcy - the plants former owner - and the current turmoil in the European downstream market, the Coryton refinery will find a buyer thanks to its capacity to address the UK's changing fuel http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108793/New-Cargo-To-Help-PwC-Find-A-Buyer-For-Coryton.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT BMI View: Argentina's decision to revoke the 'Oil and Refining Plus' programmes is based on the belief that the country's huge shale potential will suffice to lure foreign investment into the sector. However, a more viable solution would have been to introduce an incremental liberalisation of end-user prices that would have improved production margins, curbed demand and decreased fiscal expenditure. The withdrawal of the programme will only damage Argentina's upstream business environment and put the country at risk of a new energy http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108770/Revocation-Of-Oil-Plus-Could-Pose-Threat-To-Burgeoning-Shale.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT BMI View: The current cold snap led Russia to cut gas export volumes to Europe over the weekend February 4/5 2012. Although Gazprom has since announced export levels have returned to normal, the current energy crisis caused by the extreme cold weather is unlikely to subside as Russia's continues to struggle to meet domestic energy demand. Alternative suppliers, particularly Algeria, are likely to benefit from the situation and will sell volumes to the Mediterranean market. However, for countries with no direct access to alternative suppliers, such as Ukraine, we see little chance of the situation improving on its own. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108769/Algeria-To-Provide-Relief-To-the-Mediterranean-But-Eastern-Europe-To-Feel-The-Chill.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT We expect US natural gas production to continue growing in 2012, albeit at a much slower rate than in 2011. While we have revised down our forecasts, we do not see a contraction in the growth rate of natural gas production. The slow-down is primarily the result of a ten-year low in natural gas prices which is forcing many operators to target their capital expenditure (capex) towards liquids-rich plays which can attract higher margins. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108735/Gas-Production-Weathers-Storm-Of-Low-Prices.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT Norway's Statoil appears to be close to selling its 18.75% stake in the second phase of southern Iraq's West Qurna oil field (known as West Qurna-II). http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108734/Statoils-Exit-From-West-Qurna-II-Unlikely-To-Be-Repeated-At-Other-Giant-Southern-Fields.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT PetroChina's Canadian investment makes sense on two fronts: it increases the state-run company's access to unconventional expertise and it is likely to help pave the way for a large LNG supply deal if and when Canadian regulators approve new export facilities in British Colombia. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108733/PetroChina-Finally-Gets-Its-Hands-On-A-Slice-Of-Canadian-Shale.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT Anglo-Dutch major Royal Dutch Shell has made a much-anticipated confirmation regarding its shareholding in Australian independent Woodside Petroleum. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108732/BHP-Billiton-Acquisition-Possible-In-2012-After-Shell-Signals-Woodside-Stake-Sell-Off.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT India is to send a business delegation to Iran in February 2012 to strike up new non-oil export deals, which would allow New Delhi to pay for Iranian crude imports, an unnamed government official told Reuters on February 2 2012. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108705/India-Mulls-Rupee-Payment-While-Crude-Imports-From-Iran-Set-For-Gradual-Reduction.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT BMI View: The appointment of Manuel Vicente, the now-former CEO of state-owned oil giant Sonangol, as Minister for Economic Coordination supports BMI's view that he is likely to succeed President José dos Santos during the next presidential term. The installation of low-profile and technocratic Francisco de Lemos at the head of Sonangol should reassure foreign oil and gas investors and ensure the political transition does not affect the oil and gas sector. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108679/Cabinet-Reshuffle-And-New-Sonangol-CEO-Offer-Stable-Outlook-For-Investors.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT BMI View: Jordanian gas imports from Egypt have suffered collateral damage since the start of the Egyptian revolution. The loss of these supply volumes has seen the energy import bill balloon by 60%, forcing the government to increase prices twice in less than a year. Imports of LNG from Qatar could constitute a viable solution to the country's energy crisis, but the absence of any LNG infrastructure suggests that this option is unlikely to be commercialised any time soon. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108678/LNG-From-Qatar-Provides-Conceivable-Substitute-To-Egyptian-Supplies.html Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00 GMT US-based Cheniere Energy has secured the world's largest buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a customer for its proposed LNG export terminal at Sabine Pass in the state of Louisiana. http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108677/Kogas-Deal-Suggests-Cheniere-Has-Reached-Tipping-Point-For-Sabine-Pass-LNG.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT For the fourth time in less than a year, Iraq's fourth licensing round has been delayed. Abdel Mehdi al-Ameedi, the head of the oil ministry's licensing directorate, told the AFP news agency on January 31 2012 that the round would be held on May 30-31 'due to changes in the terms of the contracts.' http://www.oilandgasinsight.com/file/108676/Bid-Round-Delay-Suggests-Baghdad-Attempting-To-Compete-With-KRG-By-Altering-Contract-Terms.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT