Category: Editorial

Low LNG prices and pressing environmental challenges are becoming key drivers for the gas-to-power sector. But widespread adoption faces political and technological hurdles Gas-to-power technology has been presented as a potential panacea both for developing countries looking to wean themselves off coal, and developed countries seeking transition-friendly energy solutions. But uncertainties remain over who will…

Political turmoil is unsettling Algeria’s energy sector and its IOC investors Algeria’s energy sector finds itself in the firing line once more. Following the ousting of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika after mass street protests, the boss of state energy giant Sonatrach has been sacked and prosecutors are re-opening corruption investigations into the company. The sacking, and…

Vested interest opposition to wider natural gas use for electricity generation discussed as Petroleum Economist holds its first Gas to Power forum in London. Using natural gas to generate electricity as the world transitions away from coal will likely create socio-economic challenges beyond the cost, technological and environmental pressures that it already faces, attendees heard…

By Tim Daiss Wind power capacity in the United States increased by 8 percent last year, soaring to an impressive cumulative total of 96.5 gigawatts (GW), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said in a new report last week. The report said that the industry had “emerged from 2018 stronger than ever” as it now…

By Tsvetana Paraskova The United States sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry have tightened the global heavy to medium crude oil market, sending oil buyers scrambling for alternatives to the heavy Venezuelan oil. Refiners in the United States and Europe have started to replace Venezuela’s oil with some of the crudes produced closer to their home,…

The restoration of Ogoni land in Rivers State from environmental degradation occasioned by decades of careless oil exploitation in the area has continued to suffer from the customary official lethargy. Almost eight years after the receipt of the technical report prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the instance of the Federal Government,…

By Haley Zaremba Although nuclear is often touted as an ultra-efficient and therefore affordable as well as clean alternative to fossil fuels, some states are beginning to discover that this is not necessarily the case as their local governments pour more and more money into nuclear plant subsidies only to see the nuclear industry come…

By Haley Zaremba Across the United States, gas stations outnumber charging stations for electric vehicles by a ratio of approximately seven to one. Large stretches of highway without charging stations and a general scarcity of places to plug in give many potential EV adopters cold feet, and understandably so. This means that building more charging…