UBS downgrades Exxon; 'disappointing' production

NEW YORK (AP) — Exxon Mobil Corp. was downgraded Friday by UBS because of "disappointing" production trends, increasing reliance on asset sales to hit earnings numbers, and other factors.

Japan anti-nuclear groups protest at parliament

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people protested against nuclear power outside Japan's parliament on Sunday, the same day a proponent of using renewable energy to replace nuclear following the Fukushima disaster was defeated in a local election.

Oil up fourth day as stimulus hopes support

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose a fourth day on Friday on hopes for more stimulus from the U.S. Federal Reserve after data showed U.S. economic growth slowed in the second quarter as expected.

Centrica defends 23pc leap in British Gas energy profits

Centrica defended a 23pc surge in profits at its British Gas household division, insisting the jump was due to the comparison with a “weak” 2011.

Japan PM atomic energy stance on trial in local poll

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's post-Fukushima nuclear energy policy will be on trial in a local governor's election on Sunday, where an upset victory by a renewable energy candidate would deal Noda's wobbly administration a new blow.

Iraq blacklists Chevron for Kurdish oil deals

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq hit out at Chevron Corp over its just-signed oil contract with Kurdistan, barring it from any oil agreements with the central government in a move meant to deter other companies from dealing directly with the semi-autonomous northern region.

BP and Transocean 'dropped the ball' on safety ahead of Gulf disaster

BP and Transocean "dropped the ball" on safety ahead of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, failing to focus on the risks of major accidents on the Deepwater Horizon rig, US regulators said.

Treasury messing with UK clean energy policy, say MPs

MPs have accused the Treasury of making the government's clean energy revolution unworkable and creating the risk of higher household bills.

China to investigate U.S., South Korean solar materials imports

BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China will open investigations into imported U.S. and South Korean solar-grade polysilicon, the country's trade ministry said on Friday, in the latest instance of growing tensions between major solar manufacturers.

U.S. missing out on Arctic land grab

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- There's an international race to divvy up the Arctic Ocean's oil and mineral bounty, but the United States could lose out on a big chunk of it because it hasn't signed a United Nations treaty governing the area.

Energy subsidy row 'may deter UK investment’

Delays and political interference in the setting of subsidies for wind farms may deter investment in the UK, energy companies have warned.

Nuclear issue puts increasing pressure on Japan government

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government came under fire on Tuesday over its handling of public hearings on nuclear energy policy, threatening to dent already sagging support for the ruling party ahead of an election many expect to be this year.

Oil prices could be rigged by traders warns G20 report

A report commissioned by the G20 group of the world's biggest economies has warned oil prices could be vulnerable to a Libor-style rigging scandal.

Falkland Islands: Premier Oil plan leads UK and Argentina to new dispute

Britain put itself on a collision course with Argentina over the disputed sovereignty of the Falkland Islands when it gave explicit support to a £600m plan to develop oil reserves in the south Atlantic on Wednesday.

Oil prices fall to below $85 a barrel in Europe

Oil fell below $85 a barrel Thursday on expectations of just a small rise in global demand for crude in 2013 and as signs of slowing global economic growth offset hopes that central banks will soon implement stimulus measures.

Russian Oil Drilling Off Cuba Is Delayed by Old Embargo

MOSCOW — A Russian oil company will delay drilling its first exploratory well off the northern coast of Cuba, about 180 miles from Florida, after apparently struggling to find a drilling rig that would not violate a United States embargo.

Trade deficit narrows on exports, cheaper oil

(Reuters) - The trade deficit narrowed slightly in May as lower oil prices and a rise in exports, including those bound for Europe and China, eased the pain of a slowdown in the broader economy.

Norway Facing Shutdown of Oil and Gas Production

Norway, the largest producer of oil and gas in Western Europe, was on the brink of a large-scale industry shutdown on Monday that could cause an upturn in world petroleum prices, which lately have been softening because of slack economic demand.

Centrica criticises policy as seabirds block Docking Shoal wind farm

Centrica has criticised conflicting Government policies after ministers blocked plans for a wind farm to power 400,000 homes because of concerns about seabirds.

IMF urges Ukraine to hike gas prices for consumers

The International Monetary Fund again urged Ukraine Friday to raise gas prices for consumers, a sticking point in the resumption of an IMF bailout.

Renewable UK threatens legal action as Tory MPs call for wind policy U-turn

The government is under intensifying pressure over its wind energy policy with a lobby group threatening legal action and a key investor warning that a planned £200m facility could be at risk.

Oil down near $86 after Europe, China rate cuts

SINGAPORE (AP) — Oil fell to near $86 a barrel Friday in Asia amid doubts that Europe and China's interest rate cuts will be enough to halt an economic slowdown.

Japan nuclear disaster "clearly man-made," report says

TOKYO - Last year's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant was "a man-made disaster," and not only due to the tsunami, a Japanese parliamentary panel said in a report.

Oil and gas are the new African queens

When Royal Dutch Shell proposed a 195p-a-share, £992m offer for Mozambique-focused oil and gas explorer Cove Energy in February, many in the City regarded it as a “full” offer.

Offshore wind power cost 'could fall one-third by 2020'

The costs of offshore wind power generation could be brought down by one-third by the end of the decade, making this form of renewable energy commercially viable in the UK, according to new reports by the wind industry and government.

Oil slips on more signs of slowing economy

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower on Monday as weak manufacturing data from the United States, Europe and China reinforced concerns about slowing economic growth and its threat to demand for petroleum.

Government must resist new 'dash for gas', advisers say

The government needs to multiply investment in clean energy four-fold to avoid breaking laws on renewables and climate change, official advisers say.

BP considers Gazprom gas pipeline to UK

BP is considering building a pipeline to import Russian gas to the UK in tandem with state-controlled energy giant Gazprom.