Energy

WA grapples with energy shortfall; Burrup float in jeopardy; Investment banks' fees fall 27pc; Ship costs jump lifts BHP, Rio case; Bankrupted, but Cumins vows one last tax appeal

The Carpenter government's newly formed energy working group will be seeking more details tonight on the impact of the state's gas crisis on local industries, as it continues to develop its contigency plans.

Burrup float faces delay over gas shortage; Smiles for Walker as Metex takes off; Fortescue seals China link with new board; Investors warned of oil spike dangers; Macquarie's investment fund loses $750m

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will begin its review of BHP Billiton Ltd's proposed $200 billion acquisition of Rio Tinto Ltd after paperwork for the takeover was filed today.

Perth oil and gas explorer Nuenco NL has executed a gas sales agreement for all production from the Southeast Lost Hills projects with a major Californian oil and gas company.

West Perth-based Lion Energy Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lion International Investments Ltd, has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 20.7 million ordinary shares in Papua Petroleum Ltd.

As concern grows about the impact of Tuesday's explosion at the Varanus Island gas plant the spectre of the 1998 Longford gas explosion in Victoria looms, notably in terms of economic cost.

Belmont-based mineral exploration company Richmond Mining Ltd expects to list on the stock market next week after its initial public offer closed oversubscribed.

US-based company Apache Energy Ltd said it will have a clearer picture over the coming days of the extent of the damage and the impact on gas supplies caused by an explosion at its Varanus Island gas plant.

Global steel company ArcelorMittal will increase its stake in Perth-based coal producer Coal of Africa Ltd beyond 15 per cent following approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board.

Subiaco-based Brockman Resources Ltd is targeting first ore production in late 2009 as it embarks on a hefty capital raising to accelerate development of its flagship Marillana iron ore project.

Midwest investor swing to Sinosteel; Rudd to drive Asian union; Opes director recanted fraud claim; Burrup eyes early shutdown as gas dwindles; Upgrade by Ausdrill fails to impress

For more than 30 years, the Riding for the Disabled Association has struggled to operate its hippotherapeutic animal rides in Western Australia.

Businesses could be faced with an added layer of environmental assessment when planning new developments and projects to take into consideration the effects of climate change.

Renewable energy may have been touted as one of the key solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the development of renewable energy projects in Western Australia has stalled, with no major facilities coming online since 2006.

Rick Stowe’s The Griffin Group is facing the risk of industrial action as it seeks to complete the negotiation of new work agreements for its Collie coal workers.

Visiting WA: Dr Martin Selligman, the founder of the ‘positive psychology phenomenon’ is to present a half-day program on creating personal and professional wellbeing through positive work cultures o

Faced with rising energy prices, Australia's politicians, like most politicians on the planet, are scrambling around looking for places to hide, or behaving like stunned rabbits in the lights of an oncoming vehicle (which unfortunately is not electric).

Exploration into second-generation technologies and feedstocks is gathering pace as rising feedstock prices significantly affect the viability of the biofuel industry.

The move towards a carbon-constrained future for Western Australin industry is fast approaching, and with it comes costs and opportunities. Janelle Macri reports.

The market may be tired of hearing about Andrew Forrest's ever-growing paper fortune, but the continuing rise of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd is astounding.

Some of Western Australia's largest mining companies are bracing for production disruptions after yesterday's explosion at the Varanus Island gas plant, which could force its operator Apache Energy Ltd to pay compensation to its customers.

Plantation manager Great Southern Ltd has marked its entrance into the bioenergy market, signing an exclusive agreement to supply harvest residues to Pacific Energy's Great Southern Biomass project.

The disruption to state gas supplies following the Varanus Island gas explosion has prompted the state opposition and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA to renew their calls for the development of a comprehensive state energy policy.

An explosion at Varanus Island, a majr gas processing facility off the Pilbara coast, is expected to disrupt gas supplies to the Western Australian market for "a number of days".

Shell shoots $776m at Arrow's coal gas; Swan boosts banking safeguards; Metcash's chief takes aim at pricing; MacTiernan assures on Oakajee port; Centro secures breathing space

Mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd has signed up YMCA of Perth Inc to develop a childcare strategy for the Pilbara, the centre of its iron ore operations.

An ambitious $6 billion dollar development proposed for Rous Head in Fremantle has attracted a mixed response from Western Australia's sustainability experts.

A delegation of leading Australian solar companies, including Welshpool based Solco Ltd, have taken their concerns about the Rudd Government's means test on the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Rebate Program directly to Environment Minister Peter Garrett, Shadow

Perth based Eden Energy Limited has announced encouraging results in the development of the Hythane/diesel dual fuel powered generators for the Indian electricity market, with trials showing a 40 per cent drop in diesel generator costs.

Shares of oil and gas producer Santos Ltd have been placed in a trading halt, at the request of the company, pending the release of an announcement.

The development of BHP Billiton’s $2.2 billion Ravensthorpe nickel project and the consequent transformation of a nearby small rural town has brought into focus the benefits of funding collaboration between state and federal governments.