Russia lays claim to vast areas of Arctic

Russia has submitted a bid to the UN claiming vast territories in the Arctic, the country’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

U.K. Proposes Rules to Let Fracking Under National Parks

The U.K. proposed new rules for hydraulic fracturing that would allow drillers to frack for oil and gas under national parks and UNESCO sites, drawing criticism from environmentalists who called the plan “outrageous.”

Fossil fuel-free funds outperformed conventional ones, analysis shows

Investors who have dumped holdings in fossil fuel companies have outperformed those that remain invested in coal, oil and gas over the past five years according to analysis by the world’s leading stock market index company, MSCI, which runs global indices used by more than 6,000 pension and hedge funds, found that investors who divested from fossil fuel companies would have earned an average return of 13% a year since 2010, compared to the 11.8%-a-year return earned by conventional investors.

Chile's energy dilemma after ditching megaproject

Following the Chilean government's decision to scrap what would have been the biggest energy project in the country's history, the BBC's Gideon Long asks what Chile will now do for energy instead.

Russia writes off 90 percent of North Korea debt, eyes gas pipeline

(Reuters) - Russia's parliament has agreed to write off almost $10 billion of North Korea's Soviet-era debt, in a deal expected to facilitate the building of a gas pipeline to South Korea across the reclusive state.

Fracking firms 'should pay £6bn a year tax to compensate for climate change'

Shale frackers operating in Britain should be paying £6bn a year in taxes by the middle of the 2020s to compensate for the damage wreaked on the environment, according to a study from Cambridge University.

Fracking produces annual toxic waste water enough to flood Washington DC

Fracking in America generated 280bn US gallons of toxic waste water last year – enough to flood all of Washington DC beneath a 22ft deep toxic lagoon, a new report out on Thursday found.

'Worrying' decline in oil and gas production

The sharp decline in production of oil and gas from under British waters is "worrying" industry leaders. Trade body Oil and Gas UK says there is record investment this year of £13.5bn.

Norway’s $740 Billion Oil Fund May Be Restructured, Solberg Says

Norway needs to review its $740 billion sovereign wealth fund to find a more competitive model that will boost returns, according to the head of the opposition bloc leading in polls ahead of elections next month.

Energy companies are paying a heavy price for shunning renewables

No wonder the big energy companies are spooked by the green dream. Have you seen their share prices lately? Witness npower last week, which warned that green policies will drive a 20% rise in energy bills by 2020.

Russia to Lower Crude Export Tax 4.5% in April After Urals Falls

Russia, the world’s biggest energy exporter, will reduce duties on most crude and oil product shipments overseas by 4.5 percent on April 1, down from a 10- month high, after a drop in benchmark Urals prices.

Overcoming challenges of Arctic oil drilling

Energy giants are investigating the potential riches in the Arctic region, but one has already broken ranks.

Climate change expert calls for nuclear power 'binge' to avert global warming

A leading British academic has called for accelerated research into futuristic geo-engineering and a worldwide nuclear power station "binge" to avoid runaway global warming.

Mitt Romney confirms he would end US wind power subsidies

Mitt Romney looks set to declare war on America's wind energy industry, further emphasising the dividing line between the presumptive Republican presidential candidate and President Barack Obama on energy issues.

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.

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.

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.

Thousands march as Japan shuts off nuclear power

TOKYO (AP) — Thousands of Japanese marched to celebrate the switching off of the last of their nation's 50 nuclear reactors Saturday, waving banners shaped as giant fish that have become a potent anti-nuclear symbol.

Merging their way ahead

“There is combination between more traditional corporate investors achieving a geographical balance and across the energy value chain. For national companies, it’s security,”

The energy sector is experiencing a healthy trend in increasing merger and acquisition (M&A) activity worldwide. The value of deals taking place in the oil and gas sector is back up to pre recession levels.