DESPITE the resilience of the Western Australian resources sector, underpinned by the imminent boom in LNG development, the past 12 months have been particularly difficult for many companies.
PERTH-BASED Energy Resourcing Australia supplies a range of innovative contracting service and recruitment solutions to a customer base that includes some of the world's leading companies.
AFTER decades in the doldrums under the weight of political obstacles, Western Australia's nascent uranium sector is poised to become a significant player on the world stage.
Synergy should be privatised, Verve’s market share should be less than 30 per cent and government should play a minimal role. That is what the energy market should look like in 10 years.
The much anticipated review of state electricity generator Verve Energy, prepared by former Western Power executive Peter Oates, will be tabled in parliament by Energy Minister Peter Collier this afternoon.
Premier Colin Barnett put the price of domestic gas firmly on the agenda last night, telling the Petroleum Club of Western Australia's annual meeting that a competitive domestic gas cost was part of doing business in the state.
The state government has defended its approach to reforming the approvals system in the resources sector following a survey identifying Western Australia as a high risk for resources industry investment.
West Perth-based uranium explorer Energy Metals has recommended a proportional takeover bid by a Chinese firm, which will underwrite an $11.7 million rights issue.
Engineering and construction company Clough today announced that Andrew Walsh has resigned his role of chief financial officer and executive director and will terminate his employment on 30 September 2009.
Uranium explorer WildHorse Energy is diversifying into the coal sector through a deal that will see Mark Hohnen and Ian Middlemas join its board of directors.
LOCAL industry is demanding a say on the state government's next move on energy policy, after it finally scrapped unwelcome plans to merge electricity generator Verve with retailer Synergy.
OIL and gas contracting specialist Clough remains in the running for a $200 million contract for the offshore production facilities at Apache Energy's Reindeer gas field following John Holland Group's successful tender for onshore plant construction.
The state government will provide nearly $8 million of additional funds and employ a further 72 people to boost WA's Resources Safety Division as the state's mining death toll creeps up.
Nexus Energy has raised $31 million from an instiutional placement with funds to be used for ongoing development of its 85 per cent owned Crux liquids project off WA and Longtom gas operation in Victoria.
Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has suggested that state-owned energy retailer Synergy 's credit rating is likely to come under pressure when the government proceeds with changes to its power purchase contracts.
The federal government has established an employment taskforce to help staff future resource projects, including the upcoming Gorgon gas venture in Western Australia.
The federal and Western Australian governments have offered five production licences for the liquefied natural gas fields of the Gorgon project, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.
The Federal Court has dismissed another claim from Cape Australia Holdings, which, on this occasion, was seeking relief from nine former employees who left Cape's PCH Group to start rival scaffolding company, Modern Access Services.
Brandrill has reported a 75 per cent slump in its full-year net profit on the back of a steep fall in revenues and tightening of competitive pressures on margins in the second half of the 2009 financial year.
Tap Oil has rejected speculation that its legal battle with Burrup Fertilisers could result in damages worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, instead putting its maximum liability at $US20-25 million.
