Western Australia will not be immune from Japan's worst economic slump since World War II, however demand will continue for key commodities iron ore and liquefied natural gas, an economist said.
Shares in South Perth-based Central Petroleum soared 56 per cent before entering a trading halt, following a report that more than a trillion tonnes of coal could be extracted on the South Australia and Northern Territory border.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra has announced that this year's tour of Japan, which was backed by the North West Shelf gas joint venture, will not proceed due to the downturn in the Australian and Japanese economies.
Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel is planning to close all of its mining and exploration operations in Western Australia, resulting in the loss of about 330 jobs.
Wesfarmers has confirmed a sharp downturn in earnings in two of its Perth-based business units, with the energy and chemicals & fertilizer divisions both adversely affected by last year's Varanus Island gas explosion.
Directors in Incremental Petroleum have unanimously recommended TransAtlantic Petroleum's takeover offer after securing a further increase in the cash bid.
Rio, Chinalco ink $US20bn deal; Arrow fires new Pure Energy bid to oust rival; CBA flags first cut in 17 years; China's trade slump fuels global fears; WA chases miners for $300m
ENERGY-EFFICIENT air-conditioning systems, wind turbine component manufacturing and efficient grinding mills are among Western Australian projects to receive federal funding in the first round of Climate Ready grants.
CORPORATE activity in the energy sector picked up a notch this week when acquisitive BG Group launched a $796 million cash offer for South Perth-based Pure Energy Resources.
The owners of the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline have taken direct control of asset management activities that previously were run by Babcock & Brown Infrastructure subsidiary Westnet Energy.
The takeover battle for Pure Energy Resources has escalated with first suitor Arrow Energy trumping BG Group's $796 million offer with an $890 million cash and scrip bid.
The state opposition has urged the government to make haste with the awarding of over $9 million of grants to developers of innovative energy technologies.
Shares in Emeco Holdings soared after the earthmoving equipment provider foreshadowed a record interim result and full year earnings in line with expectations.
The global economic slowdown has forced engineering company Sedgman to write-off $20 million of goodwill value from its Perth-based subsidiary Intermet Engineering, which it bought less than two years ago for $32 million.
Golden Gate Petroleum plans to raise up to $6.32 million through a share purchase plan, with funds to go towards ongoing development work at its Bullseye oil project in the United States.
Shares in Forge Group have surged as much as 59 per cent as the company secures $97 million worth of contracts, including work on the Pluto liquefied natural gas project and the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline.
Perth-headquartered Pure Energy Resources shares have surged as much as 29 per cent after BG Group launched a $796 million takeover bid for the coal seam gas explorer.
The DomGas Alliance says the federal government's emissions trading scheme could lead to higher gas and electricity prices, domestic gas shortages and undermine the country's efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Directors in oil and gas explorer Comet Ridge have unanimously recommended a friendly merger with unlisted public company Chartwell Energy, which has coal seam gas assets in New Zealand.
The owners of the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline have taken direct control of asset management activities that previously were run by Babcock & Brown Infrastructure subsidiary Westnet Energy.
Oakajee 'the only long-term option'; Sage snaps up $73m debt; Coke deal loses its fizz; LNG aid irks gas alliance; BHP rules out Rio bid, concedes Ravensthorpe flawed
Staff numbers at the Western Australian arm of engineering contractor Clough will be cut by around 45 as part of restructure plans to ensure operational effectiveness.
Treasury head says spend now; Suncorp's issue shock as CEO goes; Macquarie profit set to slump; Cost cuts spook PwC partners; Lend Lease slumps on raising
The state opposition says hundreds of sustainable jobs could be created in Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun from the investment in a biomass power plant and wave technologies, rather than a $60 million road.
Battle lines drawn on $42bn plan; Fortescue to raise $77m for payouts; BHP slashes spending to combat metals downturn; Crisis picks up speed; GE Capital to axe 400 more jobs as part of revamp
THERE'S not much talk of the global economic downturn or falling commodity prices when you listen to companies with an interest in iron ore mining and infrastructure projects in the Mid West region.
