There are signs that there is a growing diplomatic row between the US and Russia over energy and trade. The Times has reported how “American oil companies Chevron and ConocoPhillips could be shut out of a massive Arctic gas project in a sharp chilling of trade relations between Moscow and Washington”.
Blog Post
South American Biofuel Boom Sparks Ecological Fears
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is aiming to turn his country into a biofuel superpower using ethanol and biodiesel. But environmentalists are warning that this could trigger a massive expansion of the agricultural frontier deeper into the Amazon, destroying habitat and biodiversity.
British Government Wades Into Sakhalin Row
The British government has now waded into the spat between Russia and Shell over its $20bn Sakhalin-2 energy project, suggesting a diplomatic row could be brewing. Downing Street, is said to be following events “very closely” and says: “The government is raising its concerns about the decision with the Russian government”. The US state department … Read More
Carlyle Group Eyes Libya
US companies are thinking of moving back into the Libyan oil and gas market. US private equity giant Carlyle is in talks to acquire Libya’s state-controlled oil refining and marketing operation, Tamoil. Al-Saadi Gaddafi, the son of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, has confirmed that Carlyle is one of four or five groups involved in an international … Read More
Democrats: Get Sudanese Blood Off Our Federal Contracts
Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation that would bar some international companies from receiving U.S. government contracts if they continued to do business with Sudan. The bill is an attempt to put pressure on Sudan to do more to end the genocide in Darfur. Rep. Barbara Lee told reporters: “This bill is designed to wash the … Read More
UNCTAD: Rich Country Energy Needs are Shaping Aid in Africa
A new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) draws attention to the fact that rich countries are increasingly using aid money to advance their energy interests in Africa. The report argues that: “There are very clear signals that security concerns and energy politics are again shaping the policy debates on … Read More
Are You Loyal to Big Oil?
I pledge allegiance to Big Oil, run by the richest CEOs in America, and to the gas pump from which it flows: one profit margin, unchecked by Congress, with higher gas prices for all! Loyal to Big Oil—a partnership between Billionaires for Bush and Oil Change International’s Separation of Oil and State campaign—is a strategic … Read More
The Green Virgin or Green Conman?
Sir Richard Branson, the head of the Virgin group of companies, yesterday committed $3bn to “tackle” climate change. The billionaire pledged all profits from his Virgin air and rail interests over the next 10 years to combating rising global temperatures. However, the money will not go to charities but be invested in a new branch … Read More
Russians Fight Foreign Oil Multinationals
Over $70 billion dollars worth of Russian oil and gas licences could become part of a legal dispute between Russia and a group of oil multinationals. There have been press reports that a spokesperson for the Russian Natural Resources Ministry, said that the Russian Government was considering withdrawing the licence for ExxonMobil’s Sakhalin I offshore … Read More
Exxon: We Are Not Climate Sceptics
Here’s one to make you laugh or cry. For years, Exxon or Exxonsarous as it is sometimes known, has been the vanguard of the climate septics. It has funded some 40 right wing think tanks and front groups in an attempt to derail action on climate change. It has had undue influence at the White … Read More