Energy

Aquila, FMG to assess Pilbara port

INFLATION is dead and buried and there is presently more concern among bankers about a continuation of falling prices than a return to the hyper-inflation conditions of the 1970s.

The competition watchdog has allowed the Gorgon partners to jointly test the domestic gas market ahead of a final investment decision expected in the coming months.

Explorer Mount Magnet South has teamed up with a Hong Kong company to jointly explore for gold on the Kirkalocka tenements in the Murchison region, in a deal valued at $1.5 million.

World Bank warns of 3pc contraction; States borrow $230bn for major projects; Browse partners urged to turn the page; Colliers buys up Werrett, tops WA shopping league; Fortescue studies second port

Opposition spokesperson Alannah MacTiernan has called for the removal of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto representatives on port authority boards due to constant conflict of interest.

Perth-based Greencap, through subsidiary Leeder Consulting, has been awarded a two-year contract with coal seam gas producer BG Group to provide water, gas, air and soil sampling support.

Perth-based Po Valley Energy has taken a step towards maiden gas production at its Italian project after receiving formal government approval for the installation of a commercial plant.

WA delays hold up $744m nitrate plant; Rio-BHP tax bill hangs on High Court hearing; States pressured on national transport agenda; Rowsthorn rules out Asciano margin loan; Glencore, Noble eye vanadium project

Exoma Energy has moved a step closer to its acquisition of the Galilee gas project in Queensland, where it plans to spend $47 million on a four-year exploration program.

Mega Uranium has finalised a deal to sell a 35 per cent stake in its Lake Maitland uranium project in Western Australia to three Japanese electricity utilities and Japanese trading house ITOCHU Corporation for US$49 million.

Shares in Atlas Iron-backed Warwick Resources have closed 17 per cent higher on a $10 million deal with Hannans Reward to acquire the iron ore rights from the latter's east Pilbara Jigalong project.

South Perth-based explorer Central Petroleum has raised $31 million through a rights issue and placement which will fund a hydrocarbon exploration program in prospective basins in the middle of Australia.

Aviva Corporation and AES Corporation have submitted their wholesale power proposal in the tender phase of Synergy's 2009 energy supply procurement contract for the Mid West region.

There are plenty of opportuities for companies with a good story to sell.

EVER since Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton announced plans to merge their Western Australian iron ore mining operations, Premier Colin Barnett has been issuing statements which make him sound more like Hugo Chavez, the radical socialist president of Venezuela

PERTH Energy is seeking a trading licence to compete against industry heavyweight Alinta for the supply of gas to the state's residential market.

Are governments flogging a dead horse by supporting the nuclear power sector?

WESTERN Australian companies servicing the oil and gas sector have returned from a recent trade mission to the US with diaries full of new contacts and a fresh perspective on the value of organised business trips.

AS the post-state budget debate over critical electricity supply to the growth region of the Mid West continues, the state government's backing of the Oakajee port is attracting new interest in power generation investment in the resurgent minerals provinc

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering will pay up to $5.1 million to acquire FMC Corpration, which operates Hindle Offshore Services and Hindle Electrics, as part of its strategy to re-enter the oil and gas sector.

Western Power is aiming to become the first WA government corporation to implement a collective agreement, and will do so by going straight to its workers after a breakdown in negotiations with the Australian Services Union.

Premier Colin Barnett says the government will consider looking at stamp duty legislation as he prepares to meet with BHP Billiton boss Marius Kloppers tomorrow over the Pilbara merger with Rio Tinto.

The Rudd government will tomorrow introduce legislation to introduce a tough new cop on the beat for the building industry which will place it at odds with unions.

Banks take CBA lead on raising home loan rates; Asciano buys lifeline with last-minute capital raising; Aluminium up on China demand; Barnett opens door to gas reserve changes; James Hardie has eye on Irish base

Aurox Resources is at a loss to explain its 75 per cent share price jump after it received a speeding ticket from the Australian Securities Exchange.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has rejected calls for a federal inquiry into the state's mining industry following an incident at BHP Billiton's Leinster mine site this week.

Resource stocks have helped to continue the positive momentum in the Deloitte WA Index with the collective market capitalisation of WA's top 100 companies jumping 54 per cent over the past four months.

Environmental work on Royal Dutch Shell's liquefied natural gas project in Gladstone will start shortly after the Queensland government declared the operation as a "significant" project.

Board seat push ended Chinalco deal; China slump hits recovery hopes; Major GRD investors warm to $105m AMEC bid; Gatto brokered Cape Lambert peace; Minmetals closes OZ deal

Shares in Fortescue Metals Group have surged 21 per cent amid speculation that Chinese interests could have the Pilbara iron ore miner in their sights.

Engineering and infrastructure company GRD has become the latest acquisition target for UK-based AMEC, which has proposed a $106 million cash takeover offer.