Climate change and Russian gas

But besides politics, a whole other problem could threaten Europe`s gas imports -- climate change. Russia`s gas fields lie below a several-hundred-feet deep layer of permanently frozen ground -- permafrost. In western Siberia, entire pipeline systems are relying on the solidity of the year-round ice.

Asia new crude oil output expected to slow down

SINGAPORE: Asia's oil industry will see only a handful of new fields pump their first crude next year as construction setbacks and rising costs delay major projects, interrupting this year's production revival.

The Great Game on a razor's edge

The accidental killing of Alexander Ivanov, a Kyrgyz fuel-truck driver, by Corporal Zachary Hatfield, a US serviceman, at the Manas Air Base on the outskirts of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek in December is threatening to snowball into a first-rate crisis for the United States' regional policy in Central Asia.

A Down Market's Ripple Effect - If Oil Prices Fall, Will Interest in New Energy Sources Wane?

The Year Ahead in Energy

While 2006 has been a good year for many energy investors, it wasn't quite as strong as 2005. Moreover, there are growing concerns that oil and natural gas inventories are building and that an economic slowdown could curtail demand. Both could affect prices of commodities and energy stocks.

US Moves To Help Gulf Nations Protect Energy Sites

A quiet, U.S. government campaign to boost anti-terrorism measures at major Middle East oil installations may be running into resistance from some Persian Gulf governments, who have long sought to distance themselves publicly from any direct American involvement in regional oil issues.

Analysis: Is wind power for the birds?

Despite a recent endorsement from the National Audubon Society and improvements in bird-friendly technology, there is still some opposition to wind power.

China's need for crops may curb biofuel plans

Beijing - A shortage of farmland and a government priority to grow food crops for China, the most populous country, could hamper plans by the country's oil companies to produce biofuels on a large scale.

This Needs to Change

America is too reliant on fossil fuel and needs to find a new path, fast. Our security depends on it. Here are 10 ways to get there.

The New Coal Car

Powering cars with coal might seem like a recipe for ecological disaster. But if fuel experts are right, a liquefied form of the notoriously dirty mineral will be providing much of the world with its transport fuel within the next two decades.

Nevada On-Track to Quadruple Its Geothermal Power, Over 1000 MW to Be On-Line, New Report Concludes

A new report from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) concludes that Nevada is now on-track to be producing over 1000 MW of geothermal power -- quadrupling its current geothermal output -- over the next 3 to 5 years. This level of geothermal production would meet roughly 25% of the state's total power needs.

Resource warfare intensifies across "Grand Chessboard" and Horn of Africa

With the world now one full year off the Peak Oil and Gas cliff (according to work of geologists such as Kenneth Deffeyes), it is no surprise to see geostrategic tensions superheating quickly in several key oil and gas regions, as the world’s superpowers and multinational energy giants (supported by their nation’s militaries and intelligence agencies) intensify their combat over remaining energy supplies.

Pakistan: Reduction in petroleum prices may impact on credit rating'

LAHORE: Advisor to Prime Advisor on Finance, Dr. Salman Shah Friday said that there is deficit of Rs15 billion in oil imports; therefore, the prices of petroleum products cannot be lowered.

Canadian Energy Trusts Appeal Government Tax Decision

If an exemption isn't granted, energy trusts will be less likely to continue current rates of investment in developments such as enhanced oil recovery projects at marginal oil and gas fields, likely leading to lower Canadian production in the future, they said at a press conference held by the Coalition of Energy Trusts.

Statoil to Temporarily Decreases Production at Kvitebjorn

Statoil and the licensees in the Kvitebjorn field in the North Sea have decided to reduce gas and oil production temporarily to enable sound reservoir management and safe drilling operations for the wells remaining to be drilled.

"Happy Relocalisers", Doomers, Wheelwrights and the concept of Resilience

Mulling over Zachary Nowak’s recent piece, "Homeowner’s Insurance and Fire Extinguishers," it struck me that a key concept in the whole debate about whether one might prioritise individual survival over communal survival, or vice versa, may well be one found in the study of ecology, that of resilience. It is a concept I have been exploring a great deal over a lot over the last few weeks, and I have found it a useful way of looking at this whole question.

Outsize Profits, and Questions, in Effort to Cut Warming Gases

QUZHOU, China — Foreign businesses have embraced an obscure United Nations-backed program as a favored approach to limiting global warming. But the early efforts have revealed some hidden problems.

We Got Our Kicks in 2006: The top 10 green stories of the year

Salem couple are driven to make a change: Saving money inspires pair to replace engine with an electric motor

Going green: Earthaven provides a glimpse into an 'ecovillage'

When winter arrives, most Americans have the luxury of warmth of a central heating system. Not so for Earthaven resident Chris Farmer, for whom winter means fighting the brutal cold without electricity. He braces for the unforgiving wrath of Mother Nature by boiling water, sealing it in a Mason jar and holding it in his hands for warmth. Farmer often wakes up in the morning to find nothing but solid ice in his canteen.

Why do global warming and peak oil skeptics speak out against their own economic interests?

I don’t understand global warming and peak oil skeptics. What is their incentive to disprove global warming? Warming alarmists feel that they’re protecting the future of the planet—a pretty good incentive. But the skeptics don’t really get much payoff, unless they're energy majors, besides the opportunity to make fun of Al Gore. And yet people like Michael Crichton still get more press than Tyrell Owens on Monday Sportscenter.

The Kremlin's oil grab

Big oil has a long history of having assets appropriated by hostile governments. Yet no one has been quite prepared for the land grab by Gazprom of a 50% stake in the Sakhalin-2 project.

Schwarzenegger goes Green: California governor challenges GOP on global warming

...as governor of California, Schwarzenegger has engaged in a savvy makeover, befitting a Hollywood star. He retooled one of his four Hummers to run on alternative fuels and is quickly fashioning himself into one of the most aggressively pro-environment governors in a state known for leading the nation on that issue.

Nevada seeks to nix government nuclear waste storage plan

WASHINGTON - The state of Nevada on Friday asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reject the U.S. government's plan to store thousands of tons of nuclear waste temporarily above ground at a mountain located about 90 miles from Las Vegas.

Peak Oil Passnotes: Peak Oil vs. Cera - The Fight Continues

Officials: Nigerian refinery bombed

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria - An explosion rocked the outside of a government building in Nigeria's southern oil hub Saturday, soon after the military reported an overnight bombing of a water pipeline leading into a refinery.

The attacks came at the end of a week of violent strikes against petroleum companies in Africa's largest oil-producing nation. Militant groups say people in the oil region aren't benefiting enough from the wealth.

Georgia to pay more than double for gas

MOSCOW - Georgia will pay more than double what it pays now for Russian natural gas under an agreement signed Friday, a top executive with Russian gas giant OAO Gazprom said, in a deal that could potentially threaten its fragile economy.

US court cuts ExxonMobil damages for Valdez to $2.5 billion

SAN FRANCISCO - A US appeals court cut the punitive damages to be paid for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil tanker disaster to 2.5 billion dollars, saying the amount is more in line with legal precedent.