Drilling & production

Ernst & Young has released analysis that questions the value of steelmakers buying metallurgical coal and iron ore assets to ensure security of supply.

Earlier this week, GE Oil & Gas held its 14th Annual Meeting in the historic Italian city of Florence.

Weak demand from Chinese and Australian coal mines has helped to drive orders for Sandvik’s products and services down by 5% in Q4 2013 compared to the same period in 2011.

Caterpillar has reported record earnings of US$ 65.9 billion in 2012, despite a US$ 580 million writedown on its Siwei acquisition.

Central European coal and coke producer, New World Resources, has announced an increase in metallurgical coal prices for Q1 2013, but significantly lower thermal prices.

Iran is planning to begin construction of the Iran-Pakistan pipeline next month but faces a number of serious political and security concerns, which may mean that it never realises its potential.

Anglo American has announced a rise in both metallurgical and thermal coal production in Q4 2012, while iron or and platinum production were down.

Major US coal producer, Cloud Peak Energy, and the Crow Tribe of Indians have signed option and exploration agreements for an estimated 1.4 billion short t of northern PRB coal.

The American Petroleum Institute comment on Ohioan lawmakers urging the expansion of natural gas development.

January 2013: Hope is both a leading and lagging of the chance for serious change and a lack of hope is a barrier to changing working practices.

John Hayes, UK energy minister, stressed coal’s continuing importance in the UK energy mix in a speech at the World Coal Association Leadership Reception.

The world’s largest mining company has announced Q4 2012 production figures broadly in line with analyst’s expectations for petroleum and metallurgical coal, although thermal coal production was lower.

The Minamata Convention will introduce a range of global controls to reduce mercury emissions.

The merger of Glencore and Xstrata has been approved by the South African Competition Tribunal, leaving only China yet to ok to deal.

Dart Energy has claimed success at its Airth CBM project, following a three month production test.