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China is Back in Town! Observations on the CNOOC-NEXEN Takeover Bid

China is Back in Town! Observations on the CNOOC-NEXEN Takeover Bid

Back in 2005, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) tabled a huge $18.5 billion offer for the American oil company Unocal. Despite the logic of strategically buying up Unocal for its Central Asian prospects, improving its Shale gas infrastructure and the tempting ‘all-cash’ nature of the buyout, the deal …

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AltaRock Leads the Way for U.S. Geothermal Research

AltaRock Leads the Way for U.S. Geothermal  Research

2012 could be the year that Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology takes off and enters the public consciousness. And to highlight this, Altarock, the Seattle based geothermal energy developer, has recently announced plans to undertake field tests by 2012 on a volcanic site in Oregon, with expected support from the …

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2011: Renewables, Year in Review

2011: Renewables, Year in Review


1. Summary of the Past Year
2011 seems to have been a mixed year for renewables. At the research and development level, we have seen maturity in wind, electric transport, solar technology and great marketing which has fuelled record growth in these sectors and this may have …

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Solar Panels, Good Trade Practices and RealPolitik

Solar Panels, Good Trade Practices and RealPolitik


A trade dispute has arisen between U.S solar firms and their Chinese equivalent in a row that is threatening to put a dampener on solar energy technology in the near future. The disagreement erupted when the US manufacturers called for a …

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The American Bio-fuel Strategy: The Curious Case of Ethanol

The American Bio-fuel Strategy: The Curious Case of Ethanol


Whether it provides an opportunity, or compromises our right to food, many of the currently used bio-fuel crops such as soybean, sugarcane and corn are traditionally used as staples. These staple food crops also have various other uses, such as animal feed, and for all intents …

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The EU to speak with a single voice?

The EU to speak with a single voice?


The spirit of the EU 2020 energy strategy seems to be well underway. The EU is planning to streamline the practice of deal making in the energy sector between EU members and outside parties and fortify the voice of Brussels. This sounds difficult, as the EU …

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