German energy revolution spells doom for village sitting on vast coal deposits

ATTERWASCH, Germany – Five days a week, a giant machine eats its way through soil at the Jaenschwalde open-cast mine in eastern Germany, exposing the brown coal buried beneath. Lignite, as this form of compressed peat is known, is becoming an increasingly important part of Germany's effort to phase out nuclear energy.

Oil prices hit fresh four-year lows in wake of Opec meeting

Oil prices hit a four-and-a half-year low in the wake of the decision by the Opec producers' cartel not to cut output.

UK supermarkets cut petrol price as oil barrel value plunges

Plunging world oil prices have prompted leading supermarkets to cut the cost of their fuel. First, Asda announced it was knocking 2p a litre off its petrol and diesel from Saturday.

Modi to Abe Favor Oil Bears as Plunge Aids Asian Economies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has oil to thank for helping an economic revival in India. Whether his luck holds depends on a meeting in Vienna tomorrow.

Russia hit hardest by plunging oil prices as producers brace for cut in profits

Falling oil prices knocked £1bn off the value of North Sea services firm Petrofac on Monday and are on course to cripple the Russian economy without a rescue package from the oil producers’ cartel Opec later this week.

Iran to push for Saudi oil output cut at OPEC: Mehr news agency

(Reuters) - Iran will try to persuade Saudi Arabia to cut oil production when the oil ministers from the two OPEC members meet this week in Vienna, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Sunday citing a television interview with the country's oil minister.

Russia to seek new partners if Western oil majors leave - minister

MOSCOW, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Moscow will seek new partners in countries that have not imposed sanctions on it if Western oil and gas companies pull out of projects with Russia, RIA news agency quoted Energy Minister Alexander Novak as saying on Saturday.

UN agency chief reports on Iran, DPR Korea nuclear files, measures to curb climate change

20 November 2014 – The safe and limited use of nuclear energy can help reduce the impact global energy demand is having on our planet’s volatile climate, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said today as he launched his agency’s latest report on the issue and discussed the nuclear programmes of Iran and the Democratic republic of Korea (DPRK).

China Exports Most Gasoline Since 2010 Amid Record Production

China’s net exports of gasoline last month rose to the highest rate in more than four years as refiners in the world’s second-largest oil consumer boosted production to a record.

Cheap Electricity for Poor Squeezing Out Solar in India

The villagers of Dharnai in northern India had been living without electricity for more than 30 years when Greenpeace installed a microgrid to supply reliable, low-cost solar power.

US Senate narrowly fails to pass Keystone XL pipeline bill

The US Senate has narrowly failed to pass a bill approving the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Indonesia raises fuel prices by more than 30%

The Indonesian government has increased fuel prices by more than 30% in an attempt to save the economy more than $8bn (£5bn) in 2015.

'Nuclear energy can still be a safe, reliable and clean source of energy': PM Modi

Brisbane, Nov. 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi told world leaders at the G-20 Summit here on Sunday that nuclear energy can still be a safe, reliable and clean source of energy.

Steven Chu warns UK its nuclear plans risk becoming financial drain

A leading energy expert has warned that although the British government is right to proceed with new nuclear plants they risk becoming a “financial drain” unless they can be built on time and on budget.

Oil Rises as Price Plunge Puts Pressure on OPEC to Act

Brent advanced on speculation that the drop in prices below $80 a barrel for the first time in four years increases the likelihood that OPEC will curb output.

G20 targets new global energy body: media

(Reuters) - Leaders at the G20 Summit are seeking to lay the foundations for a new global energy trade regime to help ensure open markets and prevent oil and gas supplies being used as tools of foreign policy, the Australian newspaper reported on Saturday.

Glencore to shut all Australian coal mines for three weeks as prices fall

Mining giant Glencore will shut down its Australian coal operations for three weeks due to an oversupply of the commodity.

Ministers' shale gas 'hype' attacked

Ministers have "completely oversold" the potential of shale gas, energy experts say. Researchers from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) told the BBC promises of lower prices and greater energy security from UK shale gas were “hype” and "lacking in evidence".

Nigeria Won’t Cut Spending Yet With Oil Above Budget Peg

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, won’t cut spending while crude prices remain above the benchmark used for this year’s budget, Trade and Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga said.

Russia, China ink framework deal on second major gas supply deal

(Reuters) - Russia and China signed a framework agreement on Sunday for a new gas deal, just months after the two sides sealed a long-awaited supply agreement worth up to $400 billion, part of President Vladimir Putin's strategy to bolster ties with Beijing.

Japan Expands, Extends Oil Storage Lease Contract With Abu Dhabi

Japan expanded and extended for three years a lease that allows Abu Dhabi to store crude oil in the Asian country.

Vladimir Putin: oil price decline has been engineered by political forces

Recent tumbles in the value of oil on global markets have been the creation of politicians, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, suggested on Thursday.

Petrol retailers urged to cut prices in line with falling oil costs

The government has urged petrol retailers to cut prices to bring them in line with plunging oil costs.

Oil Falls Fifth Day in Six as OPEC Cuts Demand Outlook

U.S. crude futures slid for a fifth time in six days after OPEC cut forecasts for the amount of oil it needs to supply and the dollar strengthened. West Texas Intermediate fell as much as 2 percent.

Deal to save Milford Haven oil refinery collapses

Hundreds of jobs in Wales are in danger after the collapse of a deal to secure the future of Milford Haven oil refinery. Murphy Oil, which owns the refinery, has been negotiating a sale with entrepreneur Gary Klesch for several months.

Britain will benefit from joining itself up to the European energy grid

In Europe, electricity is a commodity traded on an hourly or half-hourly basis, often months ahead of its actual use in homes or businesses.

Egypt signs $350 million in oil, power financing deals with Saudi Arabia

CAIRO: Egypt signed $350 million worth of financing agreements with Saudi Arabia on Saturday aimed at upgrading its power grid and securing imports of petroleum products as it seeks to end its worst energy crisis in decades.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation told to prepare for its demise

The Abbott government has instructed the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to prepare its accounts for the upcoming mid-year economic statement on the basis that it will stop making investments on 31 December and cease to exist on 30 June next year.

Russia-Ukraine gas deal secures EU winter supply

Russia has agreed to resume gas supplies to Ukraine over the winter in a deal brokered by the European Union. The deal will also ensure gas supplies to EU countries via Ukraine are secure.

Drones spotted over seven French nuclear sites, says EDF

France’s state-run power firm Électricité de France (EDF) on Wednesday said unidentified drones had flown over seven nuclear plants this month, leading it to file a complaint with the police.