September 2, 2010 - There are high expectations that the Silistar deepwater block in the Black Sea -- Bulgaria's first ever -- could contain major oil and gas resources. However, Gazprom-controlled Bulgarian gas company Overgas and three little known companies were the only bidders for the deepwater block.

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August 13, 2010 - OPEC on August 13 nudged up its forecasts of world oil demand and demand for its own crude, but warned that the second half of this year was likely to see the pace of economic growth slow as countries phase out fiscal stimulus and signs of overheating become apparent in some major emerging markets.

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August 10, 2010 - US energy markets face a new regulatory framework arising from the failings of the financial sector. Trading costs will rise, threatening liquidity. However, many key elements of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act have been passed on to regulators. Their true nature will emerge only with time.

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August 6, 2010 - A provision included in the new financial reform law that would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act some proprietary and client data financial institutions provide to the US Securities and Exchange Commission is drawing opposition from some members of Congress.

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August 5, 2010 - Despite success with its static kill operation, BP remained cautious August 4 about declaring victory in its 107-day battle with its runaway Macondo exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico.

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July 30, 2010 - State-owned NNPC CEO sought July 30 to reassure its foreign oil partners that new legislation aimed at overhauling Nigeria's oil and gas industry would not threaten their returns on investment.

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July 15, 2010 - As Japan tries to navigate its way through the big changes facing its oil sector through refinery rationalizations, mergers and modifications, industry sources and analysts see a potential for it to emerge as North Asia's premier trading hub.

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July 8, 2010 - Ethanol prices have not increased and production margins are not terribly attractive this year despite a dearth of imports, unprecedented levels of exports, and a government-mandated increase in demand, Platts data indicates.

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June 10, 2010 - Forecasts of a never-ending rise in Chinese demand growth are not taking into account a Chinese government that is determined to rein in those increases, according to a leading analyst of the Asia-Pacific region.

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June 4, 2010 - World energy consumption will increase 49% in the next 25 years, driven by rapidly developing countries such as China and India, the Energy Information Administration said the week ended May 28.

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May 25, 2010 - The Australian government's proposal to impose a 40% Resource Super Profits Tax from 2012 has provoked uproar in the country. Mining, metals and hydrocarbons projects, both new and existing, would be significantly affected by the new tax.

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May 24, 2010 - Russia's Natural Resources Ministry plans to issue 42 licenses to explore for and develop offshore reserves by 2020, the ministry said May 21.

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March 17, 2010 - In recent years Asia has risen as an enormous growth centre of oil demand, with China and to a lesser extent India leading the way. In response to these changes, exporters of crude oil have switched focus east, as can be seen in the way they have tailored their export strategies.

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February 10, 2010 - Late 2009, Saudi Arabia gave up its oil storage lease at the St Eustatius terminal in the Caribbean to Petrochina. The transfer of a lease held by the Saudis since the mid-1990s looked like the latest indication of a diminishing commitment to the US market.

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February 3, 2010 - Gasoline crack spreads in the US have diverged from European and Asian cracks in recent weeks, as high inventories and low demand have put downward pressure on the US. The rest of the world's gasoline markets are looking more bullish, with crack spreads in both Europe and Asia on the rise.

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January 08, 2010 - For the European ultra low sulfur diesel market, 2009 was the morning after the night before. The stellar performance of 2008 confirmed the latent strength of the middle distillate, with Europe's burgeoning thirst already attracting the attention of refiners globally.

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August 10, 2010 - US energy markets face a new regulatory framework arising from the failings of the financial sector. Trading costs will rise, threatening liquidity. However, many key elements of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act have been passed on to regulators. Their true nature will emerge only with time.

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July 28, 2010 - Several new analyses from energy regulators and renewables advocates make the case for treating renewable resources not as fringe or add-on sources of power generation but rather as part of the mainstream flow of electricity production.

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August 6, 2010 - A provision included in the new financial reform law that would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act some proprietary and client data financial institutions provide to the US Securities and Exchange Commission is drawing opposition from some members of Congress.

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July 7, 2010 - The Power Grid Corporation of India (Powergrid) is expected to begin tendering nine major Indian power transmission projects following approval from the regulatory authority.

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June 4, 2010 - World energy consumption will increase 49% in the next 25 years, driven by rapidly developing countries such as China and India, the Energy Information Administration said the week ended May 28.

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April 29, 2010 - The Energy in East Europe (EiEE) Power Plant Tracker -- a collaboration between Platts Editorial and its data management group PowerVision -- is a must-have document for all those interested in new capacity projects.

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April 22, 2010 - Alongside hi-tech renewables like wind and solar, France sees wood playing a key role in its energy future. It is already the country's leading source of renewable energy, but a government-sponsored program seeks a high-tech revolution in wood-burning appliances.

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April 9, 2010 - Major multilateral financial institutions have long touted their support for individual renewable energy initiatives in developing nations.

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March 31, 2010 - Gas prices could hold at low enough levels in 2010 for power generators to switch away from marginal coal-fired units to cheaper gas-fired plants, much the same way as the cycle in 2009, according to analysts.

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March 26, 2010 - The nuclear industry and several interest groups are at odds over the level at which the US government should set a fee that will be paid by builders of new nuclear power plants that get federal loan guarantees.

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February 12, 2010 - With utilities facing federal hurdles before they can receive stimulus funding for smart grid projects, they and their regulators are seeking some help at the Department of Energy, primarily to ensure that funding recipients would not be taxed on the money they receive.

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September 2, 2010 - There are high expectations that the Silistar deepwater block in the Black Sea -- Bulgaria's first ever -- could contain major oil and gas resources. However, Gazprom-controlled Bulgarian gas company Overgas and three little known companies were the only bidders for the deepwater block.

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August 27, 2010 - Mild weather, grim economic data and the lack of a storm threat to Gulf of Mexico production combined to send the September NYMEX gas futures contract down 5.4 cents August 26 to settle at $3.817/MMBtu -- the lowest front-month close in 11 months.

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August 18, 2010 - The rapid development of shale gas has had a dramatic impact on the US market and changed the dynamics of international trade in LNG. In Europe, the view is that shale gas will not change European energy markets dramatically, nor should it change the balance of energy policy.

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August 10, 2010 - US energy markets face a new regulatory framework arising from the failings of the financial sector. Trading costs will rise, threatening liquidity. However, many key elements of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act have been passed on to regulators. Their true nature will emerge only with time.

Read the full story...

August 6, 2010 - A provision included in the new financial reform law that would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act some proprietary and client data financial institutions provide to the US Securities and Exchange Commission is drawing opposition from some members of Congress.

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June 4, 2010 - World energy consumption will increase 49% in the next 25 years, driven by rapidly developing countries such as China and India, the Energy Information Administration said the week ended May 28.

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May 25, 2010 - The Australian government's proposal to impose a 40% Resource Super Profits Tax from 2012 has provoked uproar in the country. Mining, metals and hydrocarbons projects, both new and existing, would be significantly affected by the new tax.

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May 24, 2010 - Following the Kiev-Moscow rapprochement, Russian gas giant Gazprom wants to stitch back together the Ukraine-Russia gas pipeline system, but is keen still on South Stream. But the two goals are mutually exclusive.

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May 20, 2010 - Spot LNG purchases by Asian importers will continue to be driven by demand for the rest of 2010, despite a supply overhang keeping a lid on prices, analysts and market sources surveyed by Platts said this week.

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March 31, 2010 - Gas prices could hold at low enough levels in 2010 for power generators to switch away from marginal coal-fired units to cheaper gas-fired plants, much the same way as the cycle in 2009, according to analysts.

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March 3, 2010 - Shale gas in the US is becoming increasingly a by-product for the more profitable oil and liquids production, or even being abandoned in favour of outright oil production. In the EU though, the market has not even got that far.

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February 15, 2010 - The success of a massive Alaska gas pipeline is believed to depend on the participation of all three North Slope producers, and yet the competition between them is only heating up.

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July 8, 2010 - Ethanol prices have not increased and production margins are not terribly attractive this year despite a dearth of imports, unprecedented levels of exports, and a government-mandated increase in demand, Platts data indicates.

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June 16, 2010 - The European MTBE factor has recovered from all-time lows against Eurobob gasoline the week ended June 11 of 1.0255 but global demand remains weak and blenders are shunning oxygenated gasoline components in favor of non-oxy components such as alkylate and reformate, according to sources.

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January 27, 2010 - The Platts Global Petrochemical Index (PGPI) continued its march upwards, closing the week ended January 22 at $1,198.76/mt, surpassing the 2009 high of $1,100.04/mt recorded on December 31, 2009, although the market was showing signs of overheating, Platts data shows.

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January 20, 2010 - Accepting that they had no other choice, European polystyrene converters have had to agree the increases since they had depleted their stocks over December, in anticipation of a return to the market to replenish inventories at a minor feedstock increase.

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August 6, 2010 - A provision included in the new financial reform law that would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act some proprietary and client data financial institutions provide to the US Securities and Exchange Commission is drawing opposition from some members of Congress.

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June 4, 2010 - World energy consumption will increase 49% in the next 25 years, driven by rapidly developing countries such as China and India, the Energy Information Administration said the week ended May 28.

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May 25, 2010 - The Australian government's proposal to impose a 40% Resource Super Profits Tax from 2012 has provoked uproar in the country. Mining, metals and hydrocarbons projects, both new and existing, would be significantly affected by the new tax.

Read the full story...

May 13, 2010 - Coking coal prices just over a year ago had slid to less than a third of their mid-2008 peak only six months previously as customer orders for steel dried up in the grip of the global credit freeze.

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March 31, 2010 - Gas prices could hold at low enough levels in 2010 for power generators to switch away from marginal coal-fired units to cheaper gas-fired plants, much the same way as the cycle in 2009, according to analysts.

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March 11, 2010 - The continued decline of US coal production through the first half of the year, combined with increased domestic consumption, will likely lead to an uptick in coal prices in 2010 and beyond, according to a UBS report.

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February 8, 2010 - Cold weather and the approach of the Lunar New Year saw international seaborne coal prices spike in early January 2010. The 'China factor' is a major contributor, but not the only cause. Exports from key producers are constrained, demand widespread, while India, China and Russia are suffering internal transport problems.

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August 10, 2010 - US energy markets face a new regulatory framework arising from the failings of the financial sector. Trading costs will rise, threatening liquidity. However, many key elements of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act have been passed on to regulators. Their true nature will emerge only with time.

Read the full story...

August 6, 2010 - A provision included in the new financial reform law that would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act some proprietary and client data financial institutions provide to the US Securities and Exchange Commission is drawing opposition from some members of Congress.

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June 24, 2010 - With LME aluminum prices having fallen more than 20% over the past two months, cutbacks are threatening China aluminum smelters even as restarts in the US seem a distant prospect, analysts and company officials said the week ended June 18.

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May 25, 2010 - The Australian government's proposal to impose a 40% Resource Super Profits Tax from 2012 has provoked uproar in the country. Mining, metals and hydrocarbons projects, both new and existing, would be significantly affected by the new tax.

Read the full story...

May 13, 2010 - Coking coal prices just over a year ago had slid to less than a third of their mid-2008 peak only six months previously as customer orders for steel dried up in the grip of the global credit freeze.

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April 12, 2010 - The price for palladium has been propelled above the $500/oz mark on the back primarily of a strong auto recovery in China -- with some support coming from the US -- as well as ever increasing investor demand, analysts said.

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February 23, 2010 - Molybdenum market participants were gearing up for a brave new world the week ended February 19 as the London Metal Exchange prepared to launch futures trade in moly oxide.

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February 16, 2010 - This time of year, the news flow from the global iron ore market does not get much better. The posturing. The official statements. The anonymous comments and the attributable ones.

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