Energy

Banks give Swan an interest rate slap; Bad year tipped for super; Race is on to power desalination plant; Alinta shareholders are better off: Indermauer; Investors wary after second stockmarket correction

Perth-based engineering services company, Neptune Marine Services Ltd, has secured its largest integrated subsea services project with global exploration and production company, Apache Energy.

Oil and gas producer Chevron is planning to seek environmental approval for an additional gas production train on Barrow Island, after deciding to expand the capacity of its proposed Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project by 50 per cent.

Engineering and construction company Clough Ltd has reached agreement with Uhde to sell its equity stake in engineering firm Shedden Uhde for $40m.

Former Western Australian opposition leader Matt Birney announced today that he would be retiring from politics at the next state election, due in early 2009, to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

Western Australia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken a swipe at the state government over its dependence on gas from the North West shelf, as the government-owned Western Power moved to allay fears of rolling blackouts this afternoon.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, the operator of the North West Shelf Joint Venture (NWSJV), has shut down the Karratha gas plant following an electrical fault.

Clough Ltd has successfully completed a capital raising of more than $45 million, via the placement of 108 million shares to its shareholders and the underwriter of the rights issue, Murray & Roberts Ltd.

South Perth-based bamboo flooring manufacturer Style Ltd has embarked on a major board restructure following a strategic review.

The state government has called for submissions on an issues paper released today as part of a review of electricity prices for all residential, community and business customers.

NewGen Power and Rick Stowe's Griffin Energy have signed long-term electricity supply contracts with state-owned retailer Synergy, paving the way for major new gas and coal-fired power stations to proceed.

Woodside Petroleum has awarded the engineering contract for its Pluto gas plant to a FosterWheeler WorleyParsons joint venture, continuing the run of success Sydney-based WorleyParsons has had in Western Australia.

Natural gas consumption in India has the potential to rise significantly- from 32 billion cubic metres in 2005 to 82 billion cubic metres in 2025- according to a new Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics report.

Political corruption scandals, the continuing China boom and corporate takeovers have been the dominant themes of 2007.

CONTRACT labour hire firm Workforce Solutions has rejected claims by the recruitment industry lobby group that federal government changes to the 457 visa scheme had thrown the sector into disarray.

This week’s property trust rout has highlighted the way in which an unexpected ‘x’ factor can change economic and market trends.

Western Australia continues to lead the nation in mineral exploration expenditure, recording a second consecutive quarterly rise to reach a record high of $293 million for the September quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

After a year of enormous highs and equally dramatic lows across Western Australia’s property industry, landlords will be counting more blessings than most this Christmas.

The resources industry was yet again the driving force behind Western Australia’s tearaway economy, but one commodity in particular stole the show.

NEDLANDS-BASED mining software developer, ISS Group Ltd, has signed a purchase agreement and subsequent four-year maintenance and support contract with BHP Billiton Nickel West for its BabelFish suite

A new Western Australian business is looking to build the country’s first demonstration pilot plant to mass-produce oil derived from algae for use as biodiesel.

Future generations of Western Australians are likely to recall 2007 because of several significant, indeed unique, political events.

The corporate sector’s focus on sustainable business practices has been reflected in the attention paid to environmental management, occupational health and safety and corporate governance awards.

Female business executives came to the fore in 2007, winning recognition in some of Australia’s most prominent business awards.

A1 Minerals Ltd - Peter Thomas has resigned as director. AuDAX Resources Ltd - Wolfgang Zimmer has been appointed as managing director.

Engineering company Clough Ltd's contract dispute over the G1 project in India has deepened after its client ONGC submitted a counterclaim worth US$1.2 billion (A$1.3 billion), a figure Clough insists ignores the limits of liability.

Perth-based coal exploration company East Energy Resources Ltd has made a successful start to public life, with its share price closing 60 per cent stronger at 40 cents, on an issue price of 25 cents.

Monadelphous Group Ltd has secured two new oil and gas contracts with a total value of approximately $140 million.

Rio Tinto will sell up to 15 million tonnes of iron ore on the lucrative spot market next year, which is likely to generate an additional $1.74 billion in revenue, the miner revealed today.

Emerging Australian gold company Emmerson Resources Ltd has made a steady debut on the Australian Securities Exchange, following the completion of its heavily oversubscribed $20 million Initial Public Offer.

Accomodation services provider MAC Services Group Ltd has been selected by the state government to construct a 1,400 unit accommodation village at Gap Ridge, near Karratha.

Contract labour hire firm Workforce Solutions has rejected claims by the recruitment industry lobby group that federal government changes to the 457 visa scheme had thrown the sector into disarray.