Drilling & production

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.

The Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv have voted to join Shell in a products sharing agreement in the Yuzivske shale gas filed which will accord them a 31–60% share of produced gas.

Glencore and Xstrata have delayed completion of their merger after delays in getting regulatory clearance.

Caterpillar has announced it will take a US$ 580 million “goodwill impairment charge” on its acquisition of ERA Mining Machinery and its subsidiary, Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical & Electrical Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Shut down following a leak at an offshore platform, a crucial Brent oil pipeline in the North Sea has been cleared for start-up.

Cryonorm Systems receives order to install LNG bunkering system for Risavika harbour, Norway, from Skangass.

The legislature of the Crow Tribe of Indians has approved agreements with Cloud Peak Energy to explore Power River Basin coal deposits located on its reservation.

The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) has released a report on US coal production and prices for 2012 that shows both were down from 2011 figures.

Global mining major, Rio Tinto, has released its Q4 2012 operations review, reporting a rise in thermal coal production but a drop in metallurgical coal production.

Trelleborg Marine Systems has announced the acquisition of Sea Systems Technology Ltd, significantly strengthening its berthing, docking and mooring business