Electricity reforms under threat as top civil servant resigns

The government's controversial electricity market reform (EMR) programme has been dealt a serious blow with the resignation of the top civil servant working on the scheme, which aims to promote investment in energy infrastructure.

Crude Trims Biggest Weekly Gain Since June on U.S. Growth

West Texas Intermediate crude fell, trimming the biggest weekly increase since June, as the U.S. economy grew less than expected in the first quarter.

EPA: Alaska mine project could hurt salmon streams

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- Build-out of a large-scale mine near the headwaters of a world-class salmon fishery in Alaska could wipe out as many as 90 miles of streams and alter stream flows, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a revised assessment released Friday.

BP to use Angolan gas to fuel European homes

BP could be shipping Angolan gas to fuel European homes within months as the oil major confirmed a delayed $10bn (£6.5bn) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the west African nation should start exporting by June.

The Next Nuclear Reactor May Arrive Hauled by a Truck

THE first commercial nuclear plant in the United States, commissioned in 1957, was just a scaled-up version of the reactors that powered submarines, and for decades afterward engineers made them bigger and bigger to maximize economies of scale.

Exxon quarterly profit up slightly

(Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp said on Thursday its quarterly profit edged up, helped by higher earnings in its chemicals business but oil and gas production fell.

Drop in gas prices benefits US drivers, economy

NEW YORK (AP) -- A sharp decline in the price of oil this month is making gasoline cheaper at a time of year when it typically gets more expensive.

Greg Barker confirms plan to increase support for renewable heat technologies

The financial returns for businesses installing renewable heat technologies are likely to increase from next year, after climate minister Greg Barker confirmed an upcoming consultation on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme will increase tariffs for some technologies.

BP Still Uncertain Over Spill Cost at Third Anniversary

BP Plc (BP/) faces the third anniversary of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico today with no sure knowledge of how much more it will have to pay government and private plaintiffs over the disaster.

Report: Chevron El Segundo refinery pipes corroded

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Tests of pipe samples from Chevron Corp.'s El Segundo refinery found corrosion to an extent similar to the pipe that failed and caused a large fire at the company's Richmond facility, a report released Thursday found.

Europe Rejects Bid to Raise Cost of Carbon Emissions

LONDON — The European Parliament narrowly rejected an effort to raise companies’ costs of emitting greenhouse gases, a potential death blow to Europe’s world-leading effort to combat climate change.

Uganda says agrees on 30,000 bpd oil refinery with Total, CNOOC

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda, France's Total and China's CNOOC have agreed to build a small oil refinery in the east African country, Uganda's government said, in a step towards resolving disagreements that have delayed commercial oil production.

Oil falls to around $89 as China growth slows

The price of oil dropped to near $89 a barrel on Monday, its lowest level since mid-December, as a slowdown in China's growth added to doubts about the strength of the world economy and global demand for crude.

Exxon to remove damaged part of Arkansas oil pipeline on Monday

(Reuters) - A 52-feet section of Exxon Mobil Corp's damaged Arkansas crude oil pipeline will be cut and removed on Monday, the company said.

Big six energy firms accused of 'cold-blooded profiteering'

The big six energy suppliers have been accused of "cold-blooded profiteering" after official figures showed they had more than doubled their retail profit margins over the last 18 months and were now earning an average of £95 profit per household on dual-fuel bills.

Petrobras Debt Crunch Buoys Exxon’s Prospects in Brazil: Energy

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4)’s worst debt position in a decade is boosting chances the Brazilian oil company will step aside and let Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) buy offshore exploration licenses in Latin America’s biggest auction this year.

ConocoPhillips delays 2014 Arctic marine drilling

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- ConocoPhillips Alaska announced Wednesday it will not drill in Arctic waters off Alaska's northwest shore in 2014.

Iran Says Nuclear Plan Can’t Be Slowed as Facilities Open

Iran, celebrating its annual National Nuclear Technology Day amid pressure to curb its program, said it opened a uranium processing facility in the central Yazd province.

Gasoline at U.S. Pumps Drops to Lowest for Season in Three Years

Retail gasoline prices in the U.S. dropped to the lowest for this season in three years after crude futures capped the biggest weekly drop in six months.

EDF ‘in big trouble’ says French nuclear expert

Financial problems facing EDF could force the French energy giant to pull out of the £14bn project to build the first of a new generation of nuclear power plants in Britain, a French expert has warned.

Iran to Boost Gas Exports in Efforts to Cut Oil Sales Reliance

Iran plans increase its natural gas exports as a way to diminish its reliance on crude sales, a senior Iranian Oil Ministry official said.

China's Trina Solar eyes return to profit in H2

BOAO (Reuters) - Chinese solar panel marker Trina Solar Ltd hopes it can snap out of losses from June, its chairman said on Saturday, as it banks on China's rising demand for green energy and an easing in excess global supply.

Oil revival beckons as new technology, investors halt decline

LONDON (Reuters) - New operators and better technology are set to reverse a decline in Britain's North Sea oil and gas output over the next few years, and could help the country's economy return to health.

German energy surplus quadruples despite renewable push

Germany exported more electricity to neighbouring countries than it imported last year despite a government decision to scrap nuclear power in favour of an ambitious drive towards renewable energy.

Gazprom Sinks Below $100 Billion For First Time Since ’09

OAO Gazprom (OGZPY) is valued at less than $100 billion for the first time since 2009 as concern Vladimir Putin’s natural gas producer is being mismanaged fuels a rout in its shares.

UK prompt gas prices slide by up to 15pc

British prompt gas prices slid by up to 15pc on Tuesday to a two-week low as flows from North Sea pipelines and stocks of liquefied natural (LNG) gas at terminals rose sharply, although cold weather was expected to drive demand until next week.

Exxon oil spill cleanup ongoing in Arkansas, pipeline shut

MAYFLOWER, Ark./HOUSTON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp continued efforts on Monday to clean up thousands of barrels of heavy Canadian crude oil spilled from a near 65-year-old pipeline in Arkansas, as a debate raged about the safety of transporting rising volumes of the fuel into the United States.

Israel Taps an Offshore Natural Gas Field

JERUSALEM — Israel moved closer to its goal of energy independence on Sunday as natural gas from a large offshore field began flowing into the country, a harbinger of important change that will benefit the country strategically and economically, officials said.