Climate and the Clash between the Diversely Developed
Lydia Powell, Observer Research Foundation
Introduction
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ineteenth century Social Philosophers like Herbert Spenceri saw ‘energy’ not just as a physical variable that described the means to accomplish work but also as the key to higher stages of social evolution. The ability to produce and harness greater and greater quantities of energy was believed to lie at the foundations of society. In fact, Wilhelm Ostwald, winner of 1919 Nobel Prize in Chemistry saw the transformation of ‘crude’ energy into ‘useful’ energy at the base of all societal changeii.
All living organisms captured the needed energy in energy transformation, but only human beings were capable of developing cumulative surpluses. These surpluses propelled economic production and therefore the ‘progress’, of societies. The transition from food gathering and primitive farming to industrial production increased the surplus energy that was converted into more surpluses. Thus crucial to ‘progress’ symbolized by surplus accumulation was a rational economic system that could maximize economic surplus and transform them into vital uses. Capitalism which was the embodiment of material and physical efficiency was such a system.
This endless growth paradigm that feeds on the utilization of abundant supplies of energy to transform materials for consumption by ever growing populations has been questioned by, among others, Thomas Malthus (1798), the Second Law of Thermodynamics (1800s) and the Club of Rome (1972) and yet it has not only survived for over three hundred years but also emerged as the most successful means of social transformation. ‘Growth’ interpreted in terms of Gross Domestic Product has been the underlying basis of health, education and advancement of any ideological form of social equality. Despite the persistence of extreme inequality, the ‘growth’ paradigm is perceived to be the necessary precondition for civil coexistence and governance of humankind today.
Will the phenomenon of climate change succeed in replacing this consumptive growth paradigm with a more sustainable and equitable one? If so how will this extremely difficult social and political task be accomplished? How painful will this transformation be and what kind of a revolution will it entail? Will ‘climate change’ succeed in inducing a dramatic change in social, political and economic relationships or will climate change be turned into an excuse for preserving existing relationships?
This paper is an attempt to probe further into these questions. Population, Affluence and Technology identified by Commoner, Ehrlich & Holdreniii in their well known equation as factors having the greatest impact on the environment and the interpretation of these factors by the ‘affluent’ and ‘aspiring to be affluent’ nations serves as the basis for analysis. Though the IPAT formulation is a rough estimate of factors affecting the environment, it is a very effective framework to understand competing narratives on climate change. The IPAT formulation also facilitates crossing over from the realm of engineers and economists to the realm of social scientists, politicians and people, their needs, wants and aspirations which are more important from the perspective of policy making.
Background
The mathematical identity I=PAT says that the product of Population (P), Affluence (A) and Technology (T) measure environmental impact (I). What is interesting is that the equation essentially represents a compromise between views of the environment movement of the 1970s which blamed post war production technologies and material affluence (A & T) for environmental damage and the neo-Malthusian view that argued that the Earth’s carrying capacity was stressed primarily because of rapid population growth (P). The original formulation of Ehrlich and Holdreniv was intended to assign almost the entire blame for environmental degradation on population growth which the authors called ‘the most unyielding of all environmental pressures’. It was Commonerv who introduced Technology of Production as one of the most important factors in causing environmental damage. A decade later Ester Boserupvi raised the interesting question as to whether technology increased the carrying capacity of the Earth thereby facilitating population growth or whether population growth necessitated advancement of technology. Affluence was treated as an economic factor (output per capita) by Ehrlich and Holdren but Commoner distinguished between affluence that contributed to human welfare and ‘cultural’ affluence that did not necessarily contribute to human welfare.
Despite its simplicity, the IPAT equation has been enduring enough to play a prominent role in research compiled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Most emissions scenarios for the reports by the IPCC are based on the IPAT identityvii. In the context of generating emission scenarios, the ‘impact’ is the rate of Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions, ‘technology’ is the rate of green house gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) and ‘affluence’ is GDP per person. World population growth today is approximately 1.18 percent per yearviii, per capita GDP varies widely over time and country but recent estimates show that world GDP per capita growth is approximately 1.4 percent per yearix. CO2 emissions per unit GDP output display a well documented long term decline, persistent over the past century of about – 1.3 percent per yearx. The IPAT model indicates that adding these three rates should yield CO2 emissions growth rates. The sum is about 1.2-1.5 percent per year growth rate of world CO2 emissions and this is what is seen, albeit with significant inter-annual variations, when using estimates of CO2 emissions inventories.
Parameters in the IPAT equation dominate even the non technical global debate over climate change. Though hardly noticed, the so called ‘north-south’ divide in the climate dialogue is characterized by the difference in interpretation of the factors, ‘population’, ‘technology’ and ‘affluence’ by the developed (‘affluent’) and the developing (‘aspiring to be affluent’) nations. The key argument put forth by the developing nations’ against uncompensated mitigation action being imposed on them invokes the principle of equity in the context of ‘affluence’ and asks as to why developing nations should pay for the consequences of unrestrained emissions of green house gases (GHG) during the industrial era by the developed nations that contributed to climate change and defends the right of developing nations to become ‘affluent’. The argument of the developed nations traces the neo-Malthusian line that essentially attacks population numbers in less affluent nations. The low per capita GHG emissions from developing nations is brushed aside and the aggregate emission level which tends to be high on account of the population numbers is targeted for attack. Technology is used by all parties albeit from different perspectives. In complete contrast to the radical environmental movement of the 1970s which saw environmental decline as an anomaly of the indiscriminate use of modern technology for economic progress, technology is seen as the ‘saviour’ by both developed and developing nations. The disagreement is only over how technological change will be facilitated.
Notes:
i. Rosa, E A, Machlis, G E & Keating, K M. 1988. ‘Energy & Society’. Annual Review of Sociology. Vol 14 (1988) pp 149-172.
ii. Ibid
iii. Holdren, J & P Ehrlich. 1974. Human Population and the global Environment. American Scientist 62: 282-292.
iv. Ehrlich, P & Holderan . 1972. Impact of Population Growth. Science 171: 1212-1217
v. Commoner, B., Corr, M & Stamler, P.J. 1971. The
vi. Boserup, E. 1981. Popluation & Technological Change. The
vii. Radiative forcing of Climate change: Expanding the concept and addressing uncertainties, Committee on Radiative Forcing Effects on Climate, Climate Research Committee, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Academic Press. 2005 Division on Earth and Life Studies
viii. Average population growth rate between 2005 and 2010 from the United Nations Population Database
ix. Human Development Report 2007/2008
x. Nakićenović, N. 1996. Freeing energy from carbon. Daedalus 125(3):95-112
to be continued…
Views are those of the author
You can reach the author at [email protected]
Gas in
Continued from Volume VI, Issue No. 9…
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he energy industry faces a multi-dimensional crisis. On the one hand, there is price volatility of crude along with a global catastrophe in banking institutions. On the other hand, the industry faces supply chain constraints and the shortage of technical and skilled manpower. Yet the hunger for growth has not slowed down. How will the energy industry address these challenges?
In
In 2002, there was the KG basin find and in and in 2006-07 there was the Cauvery oil find. The pessimism is converting to prospectivity and the myths are being replaced by prosperous reality today. North Mahanadhi, middle Krishna Kodhavari and South Cauvery form a golden triangle in the East Coast and that golden triangle has started giving India gold. It is possible that this is just the tip of the ice berg. In the West Coast, Gujarat Suarashtra, and Kerala Konkan are also emerging as rich prospects. Most of the exploration & production activities so far have been confined to conventional reservoirs of gas. But looking beyond conventional reservoirs, one comes across vast unconventional reservoirs which are closely associated with the conventional system. The reservoirs that cannot be produced at economic flow rates unless supplemented by a special recovery process and technologies are known as unconventional reservoirs. Gas cells, coal bed methane, basin centred gas, tide gas and gas hydrates are unconventional gas resources in the Indian context.
Conventional and Unconventional Gas Resources
If you put
Figure 1: Resource Triangle
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Source: Presentation by Dr. Rabi Bastia at 7th Petro
Figure 2 is a schematic showing conventional and unconventional oil and gas prospects. Oil cells are generally very close to either the seabed or close to the landmass. Shallow methane too is very close to the landmass but it is possible to find methane deeper down.
Figure 2: Unconventional EXPLORATION
Source: Presentation by Dr. Rabi Bastia at 7th Petro
When we start moving from conventional to unconventional gas resources, the permeability reduces from gradually. Even at very low permeability levels, resources can flow if it is a gas reservoir [Figure 3].
Figure 3: Comparing Conventional and Unconventional Gas
Source: Presentation by Dr. Rabi Bastia at 7th Petro
to be continued…
Summary of proceedings at the 7th Petro India Conference on ‘Gas in India – Issues, Opportunities and Challenges’ organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the India Energy Forum (IEF) on 25th & 26th September 2008,
NEWS BRIEF
NATIONAL
OIL & GAS
Upstream
Cairn, ONGC to invest $4 bn in Rajasthan
August 19, 2009. Cairn
HOEC says PY-3 production to resume in September
August 19, 2009. Hindustan Oil Exploration Co. Ltd. (HOEC) has announced that Hardy Exploration & Production (
Production from the PY-3 field was shutdown, on July 5, due to unscheduled repairs and maintenance of the offshore mooring facility. Adverse marine conditions have frustrated efforts of the contractor to assess and undertake necessary repairs to commence production, Hardy said in the interim results. PY-3 production is expected to re-commence in September, it added. Hardy is the operator of the PY-3 Field. HOEC has a 21% non-operating participating interest in the field.
Essar Oil in talks for $750 mn loan
August 24, 2009. Essar Oil Ltd is in talks with UBS, Citigroup and JPMorgan for a loan of up to $750 million if it wins the bidding for three European refineries put up for sale by Royal Dutch Shell. Essar Oil, which placed bids earlier this month for the three refineries, hopes to win at least one of them and is finalising its funding structure. UBS is advising Essar on the acquisition. Last week, Essar is said to have submitted bids for Shell's 267,000 barrels-per-day Stanlow refinery,
Refiners worried more about fuel losses than crude price spurt
August 24, 2009. The steady climb in crude prices could be of some concern to the public sector refiners but what is causing them a lot more anxiety are the growing losses on subsidised fuels and the absence of a clear-cut compensation mechanism. Globally, crude is inching towards the $75/barrel mark but the PSU trio of IndianOil, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation believes that it will not breach the $85-mark, at least not in a hurry. The same sentiment, however, does not hold true for losses on the four subsidised fuels: diesel, petrol, kerosene and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, better known as cooking gas). During the space of three weeks, petrol and diesel have seen a sudden spurt in prices which have increased the margin of losses, commonly referred to as under-recoveries. Losses on these two fuels were made good in the first quarter of this fiscal by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation with a little support from Oil
Indian Oil to buy petrol, diesel from local refineries
August 21, 2009. Indian Oil said that diesel sales growth is in double digits because of the weak monsoon. Indian Oil Corp. plans to buy petrol and diesel from domestic refineries and also plans not to import fuels this year to cope with increased demand.
Transportation / Trade
Petronet to sell 2.2MT of LNG to NTPC
August 24, 2009. NTPC Ltd.,will reportedly secure 2.2MT a year of liquefied natural gas from Petronet LNG Ltd. for a power plant in the southern state of Kerala. NTPC will sign an initial contract for 1.2MT a year and Petronet will supply the rest in the future, add reports. Petronet is said to commission a LNG terminal with 2.5MT a year capacity in
Punj Lloyd bags order from Gail
August 24, 2009. Punj Lloyd Ltd. said it has secured an order from GAIL (
Kencana Petroleum bags contract from Afcons-Gunanusa JV
August 19, 2009. The Board of Directors of Kencana Petroleum Berhad has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Kencana HL Sdn. Bhd. has been awarded with a contract from Afcons-Gunanusa Joint Venture, a company based in Mumbai, India for the construction of jackets for offshore process platform The Contract comprises the scope of fabrication, load out, sea-fastening and transportation of the ICP-R main jacket and ICP-F3 flare jacket to offshore India. The project owner is Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., India.The Contract value is estimated at approximately RM50.5 million. The Contract is a one-off construction contract and is expected to be delivered within the third quarter of 2010.
GAIL restores supply to
August 19, 2009. Gujarat Gas Co. Ltd. announced that the volume of gas supplied by GAIL to the company from the Panna and Mukta fields have been restored. The volume has been restored approximately to the levels of gas supplies prior to the notification of the Force Majeure (FM) event at the oil evacuation system of the PMT fields.
Policy / Performance
Oil
August 25, 2009. The government has fixed a price band of Rs 950-1,050 per share for the initial public offering of Oil India Ltd. The company will raise up to Rs 49.82bn in the initial public offering. The company will offer fresh equity of 2.64 crore shares or 11%, while the government will put on offer 10% of its stake in the company to state refiners.
RIL hits back, says KG cost among world's lowest
August 25, 2009. Reliance Industries (RIL) has informed the oil ministry that the development cost of its famous Krishna Godavari basin project is among the lowest in the world.
NTPC to file SLP in SC for gas at contracted price from RIL
August 25, 2009. State-run NTPC will file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court for procuring gas from Reliance Industries' KG-D6 at the contracted price of USD 2.34 per mmBtu. NTPC is fighting a case in the Bombay High Court to get gas from RIL at a committed price of USD 2.34 per mmBtu.
Oil majors shrug off gas price shadow on NELP
August 25, 2009. Global energy majors will take investments decision based on the prospectivity of Indian sedimentary basins and the country's competitive business environment rather than an one-off issue of the gas dispute, senior executives of some leading multinational firms said after the road show of eighth round of new exploration licensing policy (NELP-VIII) at
IGL receives first supplies of RIL gas from KG-D6 fields
August 24, 2009. Reliance Industries'
Deora rules out immediate hike in petroleum prices
August 23, 2009. Petroleum Minister Murli Deora ruled out any immediate hike in the prices of petroleum products and said that a call would be taken after the crude prices stabilise. On July 1, the Government increased the petrol and diesel prices by Rs four and two per litre respectively to cut losses of oil companies.
GSPC to bid ‘selectively’ in NELP-VIII
August 22, 2009. The Union Government’s recent decisions, which might impact the return on gas production, has set Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) mulling to participate selectively in the ensuing NELP-VIII bidding round for oil and gas E&P assets. The quality of blocks on offer too, has proved to be a dampener, it is learnt. It is felt that GSPC’s role might be limited in the forthcoming bidding round. A major player in the domestic gas vertical, GSPC is credited with one of the major gas discoveries in KG basin in recent years.
‘Not carrying on any propaganda against govt’: ADAG
August 22, 2009. Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) said that it is committed to upholding the dignity of the legal system in the country, and has not made any comments on matters that are sub-judice. There is no question of carrying on any propaganda against the Government or public misinformation, ADAG said in response to the Centre's displeasure over RNRL's advertising blitzkrieg. The facts relating to certain actions of the Petroleum Ministry alone have simply been stated in public and national interest, the ADAG said in a statement.
GAIL to set up
August 22, 2009. The Foundation Stone of a GAIL sponsored
AP likely to reduce VAT on natural gas
August 21, 2009. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has agreed in-principle to reduce VAT on natural gas sales from the present 12 per cent to 4 per cent. This follows a meeting the Chief Minister with the Chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Mr. L.Mansingh. It is learnt that the latter advised Dr Reddy to consider reduction in VAT rate. Dr Reddy and the Board Chairman discussed issues relating to gas distribution through a pipeline grid and status of the bidding process.
NTPC to buy gas from GAIL at $8 per mmBtu
August 21, 2009. State-run power utility NTPC Ltd has signed an agreement to buy gas from GAIL India for 10 years at a delivered price of close to USD 8 per million British thermal unit. NTPC will buy 2 million standard cubic meters per day of gas for 10 years beginning fourth quarter of 2009, a company official said.
GAIL has committed to sell the liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be imported from
The price is higher than USD 4.2 per mmBtu rate at which Reliance Industries sells gas from its KG-D6 fields. The delivered price of KG-D6 gas at NTPC's plants in
Industry sources said government has offered KG-D6 gas to NTPC but the firm has chosen to buy expensive imported fuel. It has in fact floated another tender to buy 1.9 mmsmcd of gas for six months beginning September. Besides GAIL, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum are likely to bid for the tender quoting the R-LNG pooled price.
AP Gas Corp at NELP roadshow
August 21, 2009. The newly carved out state-owned AP Gas Infrastructure Corporation interacted with several petroleum majors, including British Gas, at
The Andhra Pradesh Government also announced its foray into oil exploration and production at
RIL expands board, appoints two new Directors
August 21, 2009. The Board of Directors of Reliance Industries announced the appointment of R. Ravimohan and P.M.S. Prasad as Executive Directors on the Board with immediate effect. With this, the Board will expand to 14 members with 7 members on the Board being Independent Directors. R. Ravimohan is the former Chairman of CRISIL Ltd and the Managing Director and Region Head of Standard & Poor's for South & South East Asia. Recognised as one of the finest professionals in the energy industry, Prasad has been with Reliance Industries for over 28 years. Presently, he heads the upstream and refining businesses, which comprises of exploration and production and refinery Supply and Trading.
GAIL to make gas available in Rajasthan
August 20, 2009. To attract new investments in Rajasthan, land allotment will be at 10% discount in non-saturated industrial areas of Manda, Ramchandrapura, Sitapura and Kaharani (Bhiwadi).
Gas Authority of India (GAIL) has also assured availability of gas, an industrial fuel in Rajasthan NCR (Neemrana, Bhiwadi and Khushkhera) by January 2010. Reasonable land and gas availability, the two most important ingredients for setting up of industry is bound to attract major industries to invest in Rajasthan.
Oil Ministry pledges support for NTPC in legal fight with RIL
August 19, 2009. The Petroleum Ministry is believed to have told the Power Ministry that it would support NTPC Ltd in the state power firm's legal fight to get natural gas from Reliance Industries at prices the Mukesh Ambani-led firm had quoted in the 2004 tender.
NTPC is seeking gas for its Kawas and Gandhar expansion projects in
RIL open to CAG audit on gas field expenditure
August 19, 2009. RIL has reportedly written to the government that it has no objection to the Comptroller and Auditor General of
POWER
Generation
BGR Energy bags contract from Nuclear Power Corp
August 24, 2009. Electrical Projects Division of BGR Energy Systems Ltd, the EPC Company for Power projects has secured a turnkey contract from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, for implementation of 415 V Motor Control Centers (MCC) package for Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) Project at Kalpakkam, Chennai. The contract is valued at Rs271mn and will be completed over 12 months. The scope of the contract includes supply of complete 415 V MCC Panels and associated Automation Systems for the 500 MW Plant. BGR Energy was successful against the only other qualified bidder viz., Larsen & Toubro in this tender.
Adani Power may commission second unit at Mundra soon
August 24, 2009. Adani Power Ltd (APL) is likely to commission its second 330-MW unit at Mundra towards the end of September or early October. Meanwhile, the generation from the existing 330-MW unit was stabilised at full capacity. The unit was brought on stream in May. However, the existing unit is now undertaking rectification of ‘minor problems’ in the sea water processing equipment. The work is expected to be over in a couple of days. It is said that in the absence of any supply commitment till February 2010, APL was selling its entire generation as merchant power on spot basis through the power-trading arm of its parent, Adani Enterprises. Though details of power sales are not available, unconfirmed sources said that parts of generation were sold to Punjab state utility at approximately Rs 6.5/unit.
JSW Energy to commission 300 MW power plant at Jaigarh in January
August 22, 2009. JSW Energy plans to commission the first phase of its 300 MW power plant at Jaigarh in
BHEL bags orders worth Rs 2630 cr
August 21, 2009. Shares of BHEL picked up momentum after the power and engineering equipment firm has secured an order for a power project in eastern
Era Infra bags contract from BHEL
August 19, 2009. Era Infra Engineering Ltd. said it has secured a contract from Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) valued at Rs460mn for the construction of General Civil Works for the Main Plant and
Transmission / Distribution / Trade
ABB
August 25, 2009. Power and automation technology provider ABB said it has bagged an order worth Rs 128.3 crore from state-run Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) for setting up a sub-station in
Transmission woes take fuse out of traded power
August 25, 2009. Inadequate power transmission capacity, one of the worst fears of operators of the Indian power exchanges, has finally come alive. While volumes of electricity traded at the electronic platform have jumped multifold in the past one year, the absence of a comparable increase in the transmission capacity to support the evacuation of such huge volumes is leading to their curtailment. While this could further increase the gap in the demand and supply of power especially for shortage prone areas like the northern region, experts believe that the continued pressure on market volumes could choke the growth of the power market in the country. It is said that more than 20 per cent of the volume of power scheduled at the exchange every day is getting curtailed (not getting evacuated) due to lack of transfer capacity. While bids are placed for over 20 million units of power daily, anything above 14 million units is unable to flow. The remaining 6 MUs of curtailed power translates to a daily revenue loss of over Rs 4 crore for the Indian power market. In order to evacuate the 20 MUs of power transacted at the exchange, IEX requires a transmission capacity of up to 1,000 Mw on a daily basis. As against this requirement, a grid capacity of only 400 Mw becomes available.
Power equipment industry rose 1.24 pc growth in June
August 21, 2009. The power equipment industry has clocked 1.24% growth in the June quarter. The highest on-year segmental growth in the equipment industry was reported in the transmission lines segment at 18.44%, while capacitor segment grew at 12.39% in April-June, data from IEEMA showed. The growth in transmission sector is largely attributed to orders to conductor and tower makers by state-run Power Grid Corp, IEEMA statement said.
Power cuts set to get longer in Hyderabad
August 20, 2009. The power situation in the state is worsening with the domestic sector facing the brunt by being subjected to three hours or more power cut in the Greater Hyderabad region and more than five hours in rural areas.
The euphoria generated by the heavy rains across the state turned out to be shortlived as the demand continues to hover around 8,869 MW per day. The shortfall was 786 MW and the supply is largely being catered to by thermal units (4,000 MW), naphtha and gas-based units and power purchase from the Power Trading Corporation.
Adani makes lacklustre
August 20 2009. Adani Power, which raised $630m in one of the biggest initial public offerings in
Jaiprakash Hydro Power to raise up to Rs 15 bn
August 19, 2009. Jaiprakash Hydro Power would raise up to Rs15bn through various means, including stake-sale or issue of securities in domestic as well as global markets for funding its projects, according to a report. Shareholders of the company have approved the proposal for raising funds up to Rs 15bn through FPO (follow-on public offer) or ADRs and GDRs among others, Jaiprakash Hydro said in a filing to stock exchanges. Further, they have also approved the change in the company's name to Jaiprakash Power Venture Ltd, after its amalgamation with Jaiprakash Power, report stated.
Himachal approves 311 mini-hydro projects since December ’07
August 25, 2009. Himachal Pradesh has approved 311 mini-hydroelectric power projects with a combined generation capacity of 608 MW since December 2007. Out of these projects, 273 have been allotted to those who are natives of the state, 19 to the Himurja (state energy development agency) and 19 to those living outside the state, he said. Himachal Pradesh has abundant water resources, with five major rivers flowing down the slopes of the
Govt may divest stake in Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam
August 25, 2009. The government may sell 10 percent of its stake through a public offering in power producer Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. The Himachal Pradesh government holds 25 percent stake in the firm, while the remaining 75 percent is held by the federal government.
Himachal Pradesh government has given NOC (to the federal government) and has supplied them a roadmap for disinvestment in seven months. The company currently has a capacity to generate 1,500 megwatt of hydro power and it aims to raise the capacity to 4,800 MW by 2017.
Govt plans power plant in
August 24, 2009.
Power-starved
August 24, 2009. Reeling under massive power cuts, the Nitish Kumar-led
Tax sops for supercritical tech
August 21, 2009. The government has proposed to extend the excise waiver and income-tax holiday benefit to power projects based on supercritical technology, including large-sized energy-efficient power equipment. The proposal is part of the new mega power policy being worked out. The existing policy has no provision for giving incentives to the new-generation supercritical power projects. In addition, the new policy would also allow projects that have completed financial closure but have not tied up requisite long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to apply for mega power status and avail incentives. A committee of secretaries (CoS) cleared the new mega power policy early this month. The power ministry would include the changes in the draft policy before putting it before the Cabinet for approval, the official said, requesting anonymity.
NTPC appoints Macquarie to advice on
August 20, 2009. NTPC Ltd has appointed Australian advisory and investment services firm Macquarie to advise it on buying a stake in a coal mine in
REC mulls FPO in Oct-Nov to finance electrification projects
August 20, 2009. The Government is likely to divest some of its holding in public sector Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) through a follow-on public offer by October-November, a senior government official said. A senior company official had earlier said that the company was looking at raising Rs 2,000-crore through the QIP (Qualified Institutional Placement) route. The proceeds of the FPO will be deployed to refinance existing rural electrification projects and ultra-mega power projects, Brahma said.
No move to privatise Singareni Collieries
August 19, 2009. The Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister denied any moves to privatise the State-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. Answering queries in the State Legislative Assembly Mr Rosaiah said that SCCL was a major turnaround story and plans to produce about 50 million tonnes of coal during 2009-2010, up from 44.5 million tonnes last year.
The loss-making company has moved into profitability mode over the last few years and continues to invest in expansion and new mines, he said. In fact, if one goes by the performance in the recent past, it has managed to do better than the Coal India Ltd, he told the House.
Kakodkar rules out FDI in nuke plants
August 19, 2009.
The Survey called for allowing up to 49 per cent FDI in nuclear power and amending the Atomic Energy Act to allow private companies in the sector. In an interview to Asian Nuclear Energy, a portal dedicated to nuclear commerce, he said
Power majors vie for MahaDiscom’s supply contract
August 19, 2009. Seven private power generators, including Reliance Power, Adani Power, Essar Energy and the state-owned power trader PTC India, have evinced interest in supplying 2,000 mw to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MahaDiscom).
The technical bids of the companies were opened and they have been asked to submit the supporting documents. The winning bidders will sign long-term agreements with the state distribution unit for supplying around 2,000 mw for 25 years. In order to ensure serious participation and timely completion of commencement of power supply for the bidding process, the central government has added new clauses in the Electricity Act, 2003. This includes the bidder acquiring at least 50% of the land and submitting the required proposal for environmental and forest clearance, apart from securing a firm arrangement of fuel and water.
INTERNATIONAL
OIL & GAS
Upstream
Capacity of CNPC's oil fields to hit 100 million tons
August 25, 2009. The exploitable quantity of CNPC's petroleum and natural gas will retain a double-digit growth this year, and the capacity of crude oil from the firm's oversea oil fields will top 100 million tons. CNPC boasts six oil fields with an oil and gas equivalent exceeding 10 million tons, the Daqing oil field boasts a capacity of 40 million tons, and the
Daewoo to spend $1.68 bn on
August 25, 2009. Daewoo International Corp., a South Korean trading company, said that it will invest US $1.68 billion to build facilities that produce and transport natural gas at its offshore gas field in northwestern
Mitsubishi joins South Gas Utilization Project in
August 25, 2009. Following the agreement made between a wholly-owned affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell plc and Mitsubishi Corporation ("MC"), MC has accepted an invitation letter issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil ("MoO") and Shell to take a 5% interest in the proposed South Gas Utilization Project Joint Venture ("JV") currently under development by the MoO and Shell.
As a new partner in the proposed JV, MC brings knowledge of the existing South Gas Company facilities and complementary technical and commercial capabilities in order to enhance the value of the project. In September 2008, MoO and Shell signed a Heads of Agreement that sets out the commercial principles to establish the joint venture with the Iraqi South Gas Company, an affiliate of MoO.
Eni fires up gas production in Mediterranean Sea
August 25, 2009. Eni started up subsea gas production in North Bardawil field, within the North Bardawil Concession, located in the Mediterranean offshore of
Iraq’s second oil bidding round needs higher fees to succeed
August 24, 2009.
International companies vying for the untapped deposits, including
Bangladesh awards exploration rights in three offshore gas blocks
August 24, 2009. Bangladesh awarded three offshore gas blocks to two international oil companies for exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon in its territorial waters in the
Indonesia's Cepu oil field to start production late August
August 21, 2009.
But the Cepu oil production which is planned at 20,000 barrels per day is initially expected to be started at the end of 2008 but had been delayed for several times. Of the 20,000 barrels, some 14,000 barrels are planned to be channeled to the joint Petrochina-Pertamina tanks while the remaining 6,000 barrels will be processed in a refinery plant belonging to PT Tri Wahana Universal (TWU).
Rosneft fires up O&G production at Vankor field
August 21, 2009. An official ceremony was held in Turukhansky District (
Petrobras digs deep, hits black gold in
August 21, 2009. Petrobras has announced a new oil discovery in carbonate reservoirs in the
Pertamina repeats plan to takeover Mahakam gas block
August 21, 2009. Indonesia's state oil and gas company PT Pertamina has repeated showing its interest in taking over the Mahakam gas block in
First Hungarian gas development on stream
August 19, 2009. JKX Oil & Gas has announced the commencement of commercial gas production from the Hajdúnánás field in northeast
Kuwait says OPEC should keep output steady next month
August 19, 2009. OPEC should agree to maintain oil production targets when it meets next month to decide quotas,
Angola’s oil exports set to rise to highest this year
August 19, 2009.
Chevron hits gas offshore
August 19, 2009. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, announced two natural gas discoveries in the
Pemex plans 200 oil wells in southern district
August 19, 2009. Petroleos Mexicanos is seeking contractors to drill 200 oil wells in the southern district as the state oil company struggles to stabilize plummeting oil production. Drilling is scheduled to start in early October and last for three years. Pemex has ramped up investments despite the oil price crash of late 2008 and early 2009, providing opportunities for oil services companies such as Halliburton Co. and Schlumberger Ltd. at a time when activity has slowed in major markets such as the
Petrobras' national oil production up 3.8 pc in July
August 19, 2009. Petrobras' average oil and gas production in Brazil, in July, topped out at 2,254,409 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed), 2.7% more than a year ago (2,195,855 boed). The exclusive domestic field oil production, 1,937,587 barrels per day, was 3,8% higher than July 2008. July's 11,000-barrel-per-day higher average volume was the outcome of production going back on line after scheduled shutdowns and of increased production at wells that are interconnected to the P-35 platform, in the Marlim field, and to the P-53 platform, in the Marlim Leste field, both in the
Downstream
Aker Solutions, IHI partnership completes Cameron LNG Terminal
August 25, 2009. The Aker Solutions and IHI partnership has received a signed Notice of Substantial Completion for Sempra LNG's Cameron LNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) receipt terminal near
Sinopec says Addax deal got Iraqi approval
August 25, 2009. China Sinopec Group's $7.24 billion acquisition of Swiss oil firm Addax Petroleum Corp was approved by the Iraqi government, a local paper quoted a senior Sinopec official as saying. The remark came in response to a Reuters report that
PetroChina’s stake in
August 25, 2009. PetroChina Co.’s stake in Singapore Petroleum Co. reached more than 90 percent, which will lead to a suspension in the trading of the
Exxon has emergency shutdown of
August 25, 2009. Exxon Mobil Corp. reported to state regulators an emergency shutdown of a hydrocracker at its 365,000-barrel-a-day
Sinopec to boost overseas expansion as profit
August 24, 2009. China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.,
Ahmadinejad dismisses
August 20, 2009. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shrugged the impact of any sanctions targeting
Kuwait may revive
August 19, 2009. Kuwait may revive plans to build a joint venture refinery in
Construction on new PetroChina refinery set to start in November
August 19, 2009. The feasibility study on PetroChina's 20-million-tons/year Jieyang Petrochemical refinery in
Transportation / Trade
Dolphin constructs Taweelah-Fujairah gas pipeline
August 25, 2009. Dolphin Energy announced that works on the cross-country gas pipeline to pump gas from
Turkey aspires to be world energy hub
August 24, 2009. Turkey, which is short of gas and oil, is trying to turn itself into the largest energy hub in the world through forging a series of high-profile transit agreements. First,
Woodside’s world-record LNG targets ‘not a stretch’
August 21, 2009. Woodside Petroleum Ltd., operator of the A$12 billion ($10 billion) Pluto liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia, said “world-record” targets for the pace of development at the venture are achievable. The first LNG from Pluto is due to be shipped in 2011, just six years after gas was discovered, and faster than any project of its type. Pluto is due to start production from a second unit in 2013, and a third in 2014, with two more to follow as the
Construction set to start on Rizhao-Dongming crude oil pipeline
August 19, 2009. PetroChina has seen the preliminary design for the Rizhao-Dongming crude oil pipeline in
Syrian, Turkish ministers sign protocol on building gas pipeline
August 20, 2009. Turkey and
Exxon Mobil and
August 19, 2009. Exxon Mobil and PetroChina signed a US$41bn liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal. PetroChina will buy 2.25 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG from the Gorgon LNG project for 20 years. The gas sale agreement between Exxon and PetroChina comes just weeks after the US oil major signed a A$10bn Gorgon LNG sales deal with India's Petronet LNG, which marked Australia's first ever LNG contract with India. The two deals, along with regulatory approvals process from the government now nearing completion, means that the Gorgon project partners could approve the massive LNG project, located off
Policy / Performance
Zambia extends deadline for petroleum exploration bids
August 25, 2009.
RJ Governor opposes
August 24, 2009. Rio de Janeiro state Gov. Sergio Cabral said he would oppose a new bill governing oil royalties, Brazilian media reported. Cabral, a friend of Lula's and one of the most influential members of the PMDB party, said he would lead protests against the "unfair" reduction in revenues for his state, which has Brazil's largest offshore oil reserves, including those in the so-called "pre-salt" layer. Discovery of the pre-salt oil reserves, so called because they are located under a thick layer of salt under the ocean floor, was first announced in late 2007.
State Department gives green light to Canada-U.S. oil pipeline
August 21, 2009. The State Department has approved the construction of a multibillion-dollar pipeline from Canadian oil sands to refineries in the
8 Cos on Tullow's list to join
August 21, 2009. Tullow Oil has compiled a shortlist of eight prospective partners to join its development of oil resources discovered in the Lake Albert region of
Natural gas falls below $3, first time since ’02, on supply glut
August 20, 2009. Natural gas futures fell below $3 per million British thermal units for the first time in more than seven years after a government report showed rising supplies of the industrial and power-plant fuel.
U.S.,
August 20, 2009. The U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission and the U.K. Financial Services Authority said they are boosting cooperation in their supervision of energy markets in an effort to limit speculation and manipulation. The CFTC will be able to inspect Intercontinental Exchange Inc.’s
Gas industry girds to fight in the senate over climate
August 20, 2009. The
Oil industry backs protests of emissions bill
August 19, 2009. Hard on the heels of the health care protests, another citizen movement seems to have sprung up, this one to oppose
CFTC muscles into emerging
August 19, 2009. A proposal by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to oversee a greenhouse gas contract on a voluntary
Vietnam's refinery budget balloons to $3.1 bn
August 20, 2009. The investment package for
Egypt inks 3 oil agreements with Apache to dig in
August 20, 2009. Egypt signed three oil agreements with the US Apache Corp worth $30 million to dig 14 wells in the
Africa oil farms-out East African block interests to Raytec
August 20, 2009. Africa Oil has entered into a farm-out agreement with Raytec Metals Corp., previously announced on May 28, 2009. The Agreement relates to production sharing contracts in which Africa Oil has an interest in both the State of
Bolivia gas sector says certainty lacking in Argentine market
August 19, 2009. BoliviaEnergy companies in
POWER
US Grays Harbor PUD may join nuclear plant project
August 25, 2009. The Grays Harbor Public Utility District is considering taking part in an Energy Northwest plan to build a new nuclear power plant near
Mindoro hydro project gets funding
August 22, 2009. The development bank of the
Transmission / Distribution / Trade
US States must cooperate on power lines
August 25, 2009. The Western electrical grid in the
Uganda: Hoima Plant to supply electricity
August 23, 2009. The construction of the Buseruka hydro power dam in Hoima district will be completed in January next year. The project was part of the President's election promises in 2006 under the rural electrification programme. Hydromax Power Company engineer said the $27m project would produce 9 MW of power, which will be connected to the national grid at Kinubi substation in Hoima. Hydromax is the company constructing the dam. The project, which is being constructed on River Wambabya in Buseruka sub-county, will have three turbines, each producing three megga watts.
Kenya: Consumers to pay 37 pc more for electricity
August 22, 2009. Kenyans are set to pay the highest price for power ever after recent contracting of 140 emergency megawatts (MW) brought the thermal (fuel) production portion to one third of the total. The cost of contracting
Italian Cabinet acts on power prices
August 25, 2009. The government called on an Extraordinary Cabinet Council to take action against recent about recent increases in electricity bills, after President Ricardo Martinelli had promised decreases. A resolution was passed ordering measures like revising the tariff on water used for hydro-electric generation to establish a rate non transferable to the consumer. The suspension of demand charge to all residential users was also ordered. The Energy Secretariat and the Authority of Public Services (ASEP) must check all public tender procedures to buy power and energy from the energy distributors so this clarification guarantees separate formulas for tenders on hydraulic and thermic plants.
Australia's Macarthur Coal doubles yr profit
August 25, 2009.
GE Energy lands $45M
August 25, 2009. GE Energy inked a $45 million-plus, multi-year service contract with Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) to trim the cost of aluminum production while boosting reliability and performance of 19 GE gas turbines at the DUBAL production complex. As part of the service agreement, the nitrogen oxide emissions of certain units will be reduced by 15 percent, Atlanta-based GE Energy said. The deal also covers the supply of parts, performance uprates, repairs and field services for planned outages for the gas turbines over seven years. The DUBAL aluminum-producing complex can produce more than 960,000 tons of hot metal aluminum annually for customers in more than 48 countries.
Entergy nuclear spinoff won't be decided in ’09
August 24, 2009. New York utility regulators likely will not decide the fate of Entergy Corp.'s plan to spin off its wholesale nuclear power generators into a separate company until at least early in 2010. New Orleans-based Entergy had hoped for a decision in November on whether it put six nuclear reactors under a separate publicly traded company known as Enexus Energy Corp. But administrative law judges for the New York Public Service Commission have proposed a schedule under which regulators would make a final decision in January.
Power cuts may threaten S. African economic rebound
August 24, 2009. The pace of
Coal rally ending as
August 24, 2009. China’s unprecedented appetite for imported coal is about to be sated, jeopardizing a five-month rally in prices by adding to a global surplus of the fuel used in power plants from Perth to Chicago. After importing a record 48 million tons in the first six months, China is opening mines idled by worker deaths this year following safety upgrades in a bid to bolster economic growth. Huadian Power International Corp. expects
Southern Co. seeks funds for carbon capture project
August 24, 2009. Southern Co., the second-largest burner of coal for power in the
Tanzania: Vast electricity potential lies in sisal waste
August 22, 2009. Tanzania lacks adequate technical know how to exploit fully its vast power potential in the sisal sub-sector which could significantly reduce electricity shortages. The sub-sector produces almost 40, 000 tonnes annually of sisal biomass which could be harnessed to produce gas that can generate more than 45MWof electricity from the private sisal plantations. The electricity produced can be used primarily by the sisal estates themselves, which need only 30 per cent of the 45MW, meaning the surplus can be rerouted to the national grid or utilized locally. But if small sisal holders' capacities in other regions where sisal is not formalized are improved, the country can get 1 million tonnes of sisal waste that can generate 500 MW of electricity that can be distributed to the national grid.
Ofgem warns gas and electricity suppliers over small businesses
August 22, 2009.
Nigeria: NERC says subsidy on electricity to gulp N177 billion in three years
August 21, 2009. The Federal Government will pay N177 billion as subsidy for electricity consumers nationwide in the next three years. The amount, which had already been submitted to the Federal Executive Council for approval, represents the N5.20 tariff increase expected to be paid by consumers for the next three years.
Germany launches CO2 scrubbing at RWE plant
August 19, 2009. German companies launched carbon dioxide scrubbing from flue gases at a coal fired power station operated by utility RWE in western
The EU wants all new coal-to-power plants after 2020 to be equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
Renewable Energy Trends
National
Rajasthan hospitality sector to adopt alternative energy sources
August 25, 2009. The hospitality sector, a major area of Rajasthan’s economy, has pledged before the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah to adopt techniques for alternative energy sources.
The hotel industry, especially the heritage hotels, can be vanguards in the movement for green energy in a sun-rich State like Rajasthan, they said. For his part Dr. Abdullah said it was for the doyens of the hospitality industry, among whom were many former rulers of the erstwhile princely States, to show the way.
The captains of the hospitality sector in the State identified solar water heating, solar air-conditioning, geo-thermal cooling and adaptation of wind energy devices as areas they can try out if the Government comes up with adequate incentives.
Bharat Forge to foray into wind energy
August 25, 2009. Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL), the flagship company of the $2.4-billion Kalyani Group, is set to enter the wind energy business. The company will be supplying 1.5 mw wind turbines for Tata Power's upcoming 10 mw power plant to at Satara. The company's client base in the renewable energy sector includes GE and Siemens. In the thermal energy sector, BFL works with BHEL and in oil and gas with clients such as
Central govt to develop solar cities in Himachal
August 25, 2009. The central government has decided to develop two Himachal Pradesh towns as solar cities and two educational institutes as energy parks. The central government has agreed in principle to develop Shimla and Hamirpur towns as solar cities and the Dr.Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Nauni in Solan district and the National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur as energy parks under the Ministry of New Renewable Energy's programmes,' said the statement. As many as 292 micro projects up to 5 MW have been allotted during the past one year of which 273 projects, with aggregate capacity of 456 MW, have been allotted to those entrepreneurs who are natives of the state.
PM approves national mission on energy efficiency
August 24, 2009. The Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change has given an in-principle nod to the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency. According to an official communiqué approving the
Gujarat tops on solar projects with $2.4 bn investment
August 23, 2009. The
Sharp fall in wind power generation in TN
August 22, 2009. Going by the generation figures, it appears to be the end of the season for wind power in Tamil Nadu. After hitting highs of 46 million units a day early this month, wind power generation began dropping, to 41 MUs on August 11, and then to around 13 MUs on August 16. But since then, the generation has been hovering around 3 MUs a day, picking up slightly to 10 MUs. This is not good news for the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, which had targeted generation of 1,315 million units for August, against which the achievement has been 630 MUs. To add to the State’s woes, hydel power generation too thus far in the current financial year has been lower than in the corresponding period last year.
India: Betting big on solar power
August 21, 2009. The government's proposal to roll out a plan by the year-end to raise solar power generation capacity to 20,000 mega watts (MW) by 2020 is laudable but could be a case of vaulting ambition, and therefore not very realistic. The Prime Minister's council on climate change has approved the setting up of a national solar mission for this purpose. If this goal is to be met, it would mean generating 10 per cent of the country's total power by tapping sunlight. Such a massive production capacity would be sufficient to meet the electricity needs of three of the country's biggest cities. There is no doubt that the country needs more power, and producing it from clean sources is the way to go when environmental pollution and global warming have become major issues. But the record of tapping solar energy does not inspire much confidence. No more than 500 MW of solar power production capacity has yet been installed. A sizeable part of even this is said to be lying unused. Considering the high initial cost of harnessing solar energy, the target will require investment in excess of Rs 90,000 crore (Rs 900 billion), most of it in the private sector. This may be difficult to arrange.
Global
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical eyes synthesizing DME from natural gas
August 25, 2009. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. is building on the experience it has gained with natural gas and chemicals to branch out into new energy fields. As a first step, it will participate in two research projects: an environmental impact study regarding the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) in
$290 mn sought to capture carbon at
August 25, 2009. A Virginia Tech center is leading a coalition seeking $290 million in federal stimulus money for a six-year project to capture and store carbon dioxide from a new power plant in
Pakistan seeks US,
August 25, 2009. Energy-deficient
China racing ahead of
August 24, 2009. President Obama wants to make the
Chinese companies have already played a leading role in pushing down the price of solar panels by almost half over the last year. Backed by lavish government support, the Chinese are preparing to build plants to assemble their products in the
As Japanese automakers did decades ago, Chinese solar companies are encouraging their
Farmers that plant trees new allies in climate-change battle
August 24, 2009. Farmers willing to plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide from industrial pollutants as well as provide alternative sources of fuel are new potential allies in the fight against greenhouse-gas emissions. A study from the
Almost half of the world’s total farmland has at least 10 percent tree-cover, researchers say. Cutting down trees and letting them rot or burn accounts for about a fifth of the greenhouse-gas emissions blamed for global warming, according to the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change. In December, more than 180 countries will meet in
China mulls renewable energy development fund
August 24, 2009. Chinese lawmakers are considering a government fund for renewable energy development, in a move to support the industry and strengthen governmental macro-economic regulation. The draft amendment to the renewable energy law was submitted to the country's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), for its first reading.
The 10th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 11th NPC, scheduled from August 24 to 27, is also to focus on a State Council (Cabinet) report on tackling climate change and the second draft of a law regulating armed police.
Under the current Renewable Energy Law (2005), the State set up a special fund for renewable energy development. If the draft amendment is approved, a new fund with two sources of income will be set up -- one from the special fund and one from the income deriving from surcharges on renewable energy electricity prices.
Ohio researchers hike butanol production
August 24, 2009.
Waxman-Markey would outsource US refining - study
August 24, 2009. The United States will be more dependent on imports of gasoline and other petroleum fuels while U.S. refining production would be shifted overseas if a climate change bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives becomes law, a study shows. An analysis by global consulting firm EnSys Energy of the impact of the "American Clean Energy and Security Act", which passed by a narrow 219-212 vote in the House in June, on the U.S. refining sector showed that investment in U.S. refining capacity could plummet because the cost of doing business could soar. Production at
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