Natural gas

“I’d rather you didn’t mention the company by name. In fact, better not mention my name, either, because the story is a disaster. We don’t want (the information) out yet.”

From an officer in a small oilsands company – call him Don Fischer, – that comment sums things up for many juniors. Fischer argues, however, that the recent meltdown in global financial markets is only the killer blow in a credit squeeze within Canada’s petroleum sector that has been developing for three years.

With U.S. and EU participation, a vital meeting in the Hungarian capital next January will seal commitments for the long-contemplated Turkey-Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria (Nabucco) gas pipeline. Opposition from Russia’s mighty Gazprom, uncertainty surrounding relations with Iran, and the roiling world economic turmoil cast doubt on the project’s future.

Environmentalists win big EPA ruling on coal emissions
Does natural-gas drilling endanger water supplies?
Limited feasibility of Carbon Capture and Storage systems will mean more nuclear electric power

EU unveils plan to weaken Russian grip on gas supply
EU Considers Energy Options as Winter Looms
Fossil fuels central to EU's long-term energy security vision

U.S. 2008 oil demand to drop most since 1980: EIA
Dirty coal to remain world's top power source: IEA
Study Points to Major Source of Natural Gas in Alaska

The whole question of how to communicate peak oil to local government, and how to support and encourage their creative and rapid responses to it, is huge and very timely. Preparing for Peak Oil is an excellent guidebook for anyone who wants to bring their local authority up to speed on energy depletion and climate change issues. It is clear, well presented, and achieves an excellent balance between presenting the hard facts about peak oil alongside some positive and inspiring examples of change, as well as some clear and well thought through thinking tools.

Obama will act quickly on climate change: adviser
Japan CO2 hits record
Under a Sooty Exterior, A Green China Emerges
Temperature set to rise by 6C, energy agency warns
Does Natural-Gas Drilling Endanger Water Supplies?

IEA documents online
The Oil Drum's first look at the IEA report (new)
International Energy Agency warns of future oil 'supply crunch'
Greenpeace: IEA falls short of an Energy Revolution needed to avert catastrophic climate change
IEA doesn't see peak oil by 2030
Peak oil: Get ready for the oil-supply crunch, IEA says

Internet revolution that elected Obama could save Earth: Gore
Obama likely to tackle energy early on
Al Gore group urges Obama to create U.S. power grid

A digest of news and commentary from a UK peak oil perspective