Energy

State hit by $731m blowout: Buswell; 'Morale' cash quietens builders; Only 'faint glimmer' WA will retain Inpex gas project, says Barnett; Strike move sees NW union revival; Turbulence forces Qantas to delay $2bn float

THE next stop for the Australian All Ordinaries Index now looks likely to be 4,300 points, which will be a 61.

A MANDATORY renewable energy target of 20 per cent would add up to $300 million a year to the cost of producing aluminium in Australia, according the country's leading producer.

THE gas crisis caused by a pipeline rupture at Varanus Island has left a bitter legacy for many Western Australian businesses, which have been scathing of the former state government's reaction.

IT'S difficult when assessing elections not to immediately reach for statistics - size of swings, percentage of preferences gained by parties, levels of various majorities, and other such measures that help assess how well or how badly parties and candida

A PERTH engineering company that has created a niche for itself in the lucrative mining vehicles market is hoping to do the same in the US.

THERE are many things likely to change following the recent state election, not just as a result of a new government but also due to the circumstances in which it took power.

THE CBD will face a power shortfall in 2010 unless Western Power installs $100 million worth of new electrical infrastructure to cater for the increased demand on the grid from new office and apartment buildings.

US oil company Chevron has selected three preferred sites in Western Australia for its planned Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project, with a decision expected mid next year.

Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd will find out before the end of the week whether an injunction preventing it from acquiring a stake in an African project will be extended.

Burke emerges as problem for new state government; Barnett: never on a Sunday; Premier backs Woodside on marketing, tax fight; Rudd acts to ease doubts on short-selling confusion; WA's $300m lobster industry facing disaster

Despite the volatility in the wider market, the Deloitte index of Western Australian stocks rose by nearly six per cent over the past 12 months, compared to the All Ordinaries index which declined by over 16 per cent.

Perth-based energy developer Aviva Corporation Ltd said the purchase of an additional mining lease could boost coal reserves at its Coolimba power station by up to 10 per cent.

Western Energy Pty Ltd has been given the green light by the Economic Regulation Authority to operate a 120 megawatt power station at Kwinana which will supply electricity to the South West Interconnected System.

Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has today confirmed that it is fighting a court injunction brought about by major shareholder Power United Ltd, which is seeking to block the acquisition of a stake in an African project.

South Perth-based Nomad Building Solutions Ltd has secured nearly $50 million worth of contracts for work at Rio Tinto's Brockman 4 iron project and Woodside Petroleum's Pluto operation.

Federal Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop was one of three Western Australian MPs promoted to senior roles as part of new leader Malcolm Turnbull's frontbench reshuffle.

Iron ore, coal and liquefied natural gas are all tipped to contribute heavily to Australia's commodity export earnings this financial year, forecast to rise to a record $214 billion.

Premier-elect Colin Barnett said he is pessimistic over the state's chances of hosting Inpex Ltd's $12 billion liquefied natural gas project following a meeting with representatives this morning.

The federal government will commit $100 million a year to a Global Institute, based in Australia, aimed at accelerating the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has urged its shareholders to carefully consider the resolutions proposed by Power United, which earlier this week proposed for the removal of several directors including executive chairman Tony Sage.

Concerns about the possibility of more gas rationing in the next few weeks have been raised by some Western Australian businesses as major industrial users come back on stream before Varanus Island's gas output is completely restored.

West Perth-based energy development company Eneabba Gas Ltd has secured a near $4 million gas supply agreement.

The Clough family, including patriarch Harold Clough, has sold its remaining shareholding in the engineering and construction company Clough Ltd, pocketing over $21 million from an on-market sale.

Oil Basins Ltd has applied to the Supreme Court of Western Australia for an urgent hearing into an alleged breach of obligations by a Perth-based Australian Worldwide Energy Ltd subsidiary over licences in the Canning Basin.

Fears of global crash see US take over big insurer; TLG knocked back tied gas supply; Moly Mines dips again on nervousness about project funding; Tidy windfall off back of credit slump; Employers win new IR powers

CONTROVERSIAL resources projects in the Mid West and the Pilbara regions of the state are looming as early tests for the newly elected government's approach to environmentally-sensitive developments.

Emeco Holdings appoints Cahill FORMER Alinta Infrastructure Holdings chief executive officer John Cahill has joined the board of mining services company Emeco Holdings Ltd as an independent non-execut

PERTH is emerging as the gateway for international service and maintenance firms in the oil and gas sector, with many strategically positioning themselves here for the expected boom in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

Oil and gas services companies see an abundance of opportunities in WA, but local firms aren’t assured of winning the work.

ONE of the many challenges facing the new state government will be development of a coherent industry policy.

CIVIL contractor Brierty Ltd has appointed former United Group Ltd executive manager Stuart Croft as its new chief executive to take over from company founder Alan Brierty.