(EnergyAsia, September 15) — US Energy Initiatives Corporation has announced the final delivery in Thailand of its dual-fuel conversion system for use in the General Motors Thailand (GMTH) Colorado pickup. US Energy is an ISO-9001 certified manufacturer of a patent dual-fuel diesel to natural gas conversion technology.   For 2007 models, GMTH intends to offer...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) —– Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will extend a US$600,000 grant to help China set up a fund to help the country benefit from the potential multi billion dollar revenue from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Established under the Kyoto Protocol, the CDM allows developed (or Annex 1) countries of the...

(EnergyAsia, September 18) — India’s National Gas Grid (NGG), the central pipeline network to supply LPG and CNG to domestic users, is likely to become operational by 2008, said Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) chairman and managing director S.P. Rao. GAIL is in negotiations to secure gas supplies from Iran and Myanmar.   Speaking...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — Singapore-listed Advanced Holdings Ltd, a designer and provider of process equipment for the oil, gas, petrochemical and power industries, said it has obtained pioneer tax status for its biodiesel project to be located in Kuantan town in Malaysia’s Pahang state. The pioneer status, granted by the Malaysian government, will exempt all...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — ExxonMobil Corp, the world’s largest energy company, has dismissed as ‘speculative’ reports in the local media that it is planning to de-list its Malaysian public-listed downstream company and to take it private later this year.   The Malaysian Business Times reported that the major’s subsidiary, ExxonMobil International Holdings Inc, which owns...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — Kulim (M) Bhd and IBZI Holdings Sdn Bhd have signed an agreement to form a 80/20 strategic alliance to jointly develop biofuels businesses in Malaysia.   In a statement filing to the local stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia, Kulim said the business will be driven by newly formed subsidiary, Kulim Energy Sdn...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — US-based Alliant Energy Corp said it has begun the process of selling its interest in its Alliant Energy New Zealand Limited (AENZ) unit. AENZ holds a 23.77 % stake in TrustPower Ltd, the country’s fourth largest electricity retailer, and a 5.07 % stake in Infratil Ltd, an investor in infrastructure and...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — New Zealand’s Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said that the acceptance by an Australian Senate committee that oil production will peak well before 2030 should serve as a wakeup call to the New Zealand government, especially in light of other evidence that it will peak even earlier. Dr Norman was commenting...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — Two Singapore companies, Tuas Power Ltd and Gas Supply Pte Ltd (GSPL), said they have entered into a joint venture (JV) to form TPGS Green Energy Pte Ltd (TPGS). The new company will introduce the energy-efficient and environment-friendly trigeneration technology in Singapore.             Leveraging on the expertise of both companies in...

(EnergyAsia, September 15) — Indian Oil Corporation Limited said it has successfully sold off Rs12.55 billion worth of oil bonds of various maturities ranging from three to nine years in the secondary market. (US$1=Rs46).   The Indian government issued the bonds to IndianOil in March 2006 to help oil companies cover for their losses from...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — Executives of Michigan, US-based Titan Energy Development Inc and parent company Safe Travel Care Inc will travel to Asia from September 16 to meet with representatives of Chinese machine manufacturers, tour manufacturing facilities and to explore the market for Titan systems in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and neighbouring countries.   Titan Energy...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd said its US operations, VT Halter Marine Inc, has secured a third contract from Crowley Maritime Corporation’s subsidiary, Vessel Management Services Inc., to build four additional articulated tug barge (ATB) units.  The vessels, which include the cost of owner furnished equipment, are valued at around US$240 million....

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — Oilfield services company Schlumberger recently celebrated the official opening of the Schlumberger Singapore Artificial Lift Product Center at Benoi Crescent in Jurong. The September 8 event marked the opening of a near 50% expansion of the facility, which manufactures electric submersible pumping (ESP) systems, both fully assembled units as well as...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — While foreign participation is critical to China’s goal of meeting its monumental energy challenges, the usual project-oriented approach of global energy companies may not be the best approach, said The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).   In its latest report, “Unlocking China’s Energy Potential,” BCG said that energy companies venturing into China...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — US-based Synthesis Energy Systems Inc said it has appointed Carol Pearson as corporate controller and Luo Guangliang as chief engineer in China in addition to naming others to senior management positions, coinciding with its global head office in Houston, Texas.   Synthesis Energy is involved in the Hai Hua gasification project...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — India’s main gas company, state-owned GAIL, has paid a total of Rs4.85 billion in dividends to the government for the year ended March 31 2006. (US$1=Rs46).   At a recent ceremony, GAIL chairman and managing director S.P. Rao presented a cheque for Rs969.8 million as the year’s final dividend payment to...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — The fundamentals of the oil remain strong despite the recent steep decline in oil prices, said commodities trader Fimat. It said the steep downward correction has more to do with temporary changes in risk perception than with any significant, durable shift in market fundamentals.   In a commentary, Fimat said: “For...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — Asia’s energy-hungry economies have led to a boom in nuclear power plant construction, pushing uranium prices up seven-fold in the last five years, according to CIBC World Markets latest Monthly Indicators report. The Canadian bank said the additional Asian demand “threatens to eat up current global supply.”            It said that...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — Exxon Mobil Corp said its subsidiary, Exxon Neftgas Limited, has commissioned the crude oil export system for the multiphase Sakhalin-1 project offshore Russia, bringing to eight the total of ExxonMobil-operated startups within the last 12 months.   These ‘significant’ projects, located in the North Sea, Malaysia, Qatar and in West Africa,...

(EnergyAsia, September 14) — French engineering giant Technip said it has been awarded a reimbursable (cost plus fee) contract worth approximately US$200 million by Origin Energy Resources (Kupe) Limited for the overall development of the Kupe gas project. The development is located in the Taranaki Basin, 30km off the west coast of the North Island...

(EnergyAsia, September 13) — The Sri Lankan army could be headed for a clash with Tamil Tiger separatists in an area in the Jaffna peninsula where an oil storage terminal, a Japanese flour mill and a cement factory are located.   Local media reports said Sri Lankan army troops are advancing towards Elephant Pass despite...

(EnergyAsia, September 13) — The Philippine economy will grow 5.4% in 2006 supported by the strong performance of the agricultural sector and exports, according to a major report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The forecast is up from 5% growth anticipated in April. The outlook for 2007 growth is unchanged at 5.3%. “The...

(EnergyAsia, September 13) — The world economy is facing increasing risks from high fuel prices and a cooling US housing market, making the policy environment has much more challenging, said Rodrigo de Rato, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a speech at OPEC’s Third Annual Conference in Vienna, Austria this week, he...

(EnergyAsia, September 13) — Malaysia will play a key role in developing renewable energy technology and use in Southeast Asia under a regional programme to start next year.   Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Jamaludin Jarjis said Malaysia has been chosen to lead one of the four flagship programmes under the Asean Plan of Action...

(EnergyAsia, September 13) — Indian state upstream company Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) said its board has approved a proposal to redevelop the Heera and South Heera oil and gas fields in the Arabian Sea. The board gave the greenlight for the Rs23.05 billion project at its 159th meeting last week. (US$1=Rs46).  ...