Energy

Rising feedstock prices have led two Western Australian biodiesel companies to position themselves in the upstream supply of a more cost effective and sustainable feedstock – crude jatropha oil.

Australia’s bankers tell us that a US-style sub-prime credit crisis could never happen here. Oh yeah?

State Development Minister Eric Ripper has refuted television reports that the State Government is preparing to 'force' mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP to share rail access rights with smaller companies in the Pilbara.

Nedlands-based Helix Resources Ltd has raised more than $8.2 million before costs through a share placement of 17 million shares at 48.5 cents per share to institutional investor clients of Wilson HTM.

High-profile company director Tony Howarth has been elected president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia's peak national employer and business organisation.

Engineering and construction company Clough Ltd has announced that its Indonesia subsidiary, PT Petrosea Tbk, has been awarded two additional coal hauling contracts with a combined value of US$197 million ($222 million).

The State Government has called on the public to provide suggestions on the development of the Kemerton Industrial Park in the State's South-West.

Resources minister Francis Logan has announced the release of the first 'tight gas' acreage block, a source which could power Western Australia's entire domestic gas demand for more than a year.

One of the big surprises of the new Labor ministry was the selection of fomer ACTU president Martin Ferguson as the resources and energy minister, in place of WA senator Chris Evans who held that role in the shadow ministry.

Engineering and construction company Clough Limited has announced today that its Indonesia subsidiary, PT Petrosea Tbk has been awarded a long term alliance mining contract valued at approximately US$145 million ($164m).

L7 Solutions has signed its biggest contract to date, a multimillion dollar deal with Woodside for an extensive overhaul of their Local Area Network and IP Telephony infrastructure in Perth and North West regional areas.

Western Australians are seriously lagging behind other states when it comes to using renewable energy, according to a report tabled in Parliament today by auditor general Colin Murphy.

West Perth-based Comdek Ltd has taken a major step in its plans to reinvent iteslf as a coal miner by appointing prominent corporate lawyer Michael Hunt as its non-executive chairman.

Perth-based integrated energy company Aviva Corporation Limited has expanded its international presence by successfully listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange today.

Three major South African engineering and construction companies have entered the Australian market with a bang, and each has adopted a different strategy.

THE dispute over Western Power chief executive Doug Aberle’s annual bonus has been resolved, following negotiations between the utility’s chairman, Peter Mansell, and Energy Minister Francis Logan.

Lobbying firm Hawker Britton has a new team in Perth, led by former state government advisers Sean Walsh and John Whitelaw, who plan to educate their clients to have realistic expectations about dealing with government.

The government-versus-government blame game, one of the real blots on the Australian political and business landscape, has come to an end. Or has it?

Coogee Resources chairman Gordon Martin has described last year’s failed public share offer as “probably the best thing that could have happened” to the company, which is proceeding with its $800m oil project in the Timor Sea under private ownership.

Engineering and construction contractor Clough Ltd has told shareholders the company has dealt with its problem contracts and can look forward to profitable trading in future.

Advanced Nanotechnology Ltd - Harold Clough has resigned as a director. Ampella Mining Ltd - Paul Wright has resigned as non-executive chairman and director.

Now that the federal election is over there’ll be a few former Liberal MPs looking for work.

Booming iron ore exports have pushed resources royalties to the state government above the $2 billion mark for the first time.

A new occupational health and safety training centre has opened in Bibra Lake, through a joint venture between oil and gas and engineering companies.

Coogee Chemicals chairman Gordon Martin says his measures of success, and his leadership style, have changed dramatically during the past 36 years.

Outspoken former Western Australian Liberal Leader Colin Barnett will not contest the next election.

GB Energy Ltd has entered into a funding and subscription agreement to earn up to a 50 per cent stake in Australian Sustainable Energy Corporation Pty Ltd.

Rio Tinto Ltd today announced a $2.7 billion expansion of its Pilbara iron ore mining operations, which it will use to support its claim that it has better growth prospects than its competitors, including would-be suitor BHP Billiton Ltd.

Industry bodies have stated they will work with the new Labor government headed by Kevin Rudd, including the Master Builders Association.  

In the last View from the Arch, Andrew Hobbs wraps up the campaign for John Howard and Kevin Rudd, and casts a brief glace statewards.

Subiaco-based oil and gas explorer Red Fork Energy Ltd has announced plans to raise $10 million through a placement to fast track production at its Oklahoma assets.

It's official, Wesfarmers Ltd has become the Western Australia's most valuable company, the state's biggest employer and the nation's biggest retailer with today's implementation of a scheme of arrangement to take over the Coles Group Ltd.