Energy

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

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

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.

Tax reprieve for small business; Chinese see off rivals for OZ; Triad opposes Rio-BHP venture; CBA eyes rate rise; Shemesian sells Cape Lambert stake for $17m

Money and power go hand in hand, especially in a global financial crisis.

Federal government plans for a charter of human rights are misguided.

AS the state's timber sector reels following the collapse of two of its biggest and most established private players, a new downstream processor is confident of the future of the industry from which it takes its name.

THE state's iron ore juniors are predicted to reap the rewards from the collapse of the Rio Tinto and Chinalco deal, with Chinese investment likely to flow to emerging iron ore producers.

WA’s dominance of the Asia-Pacific’s liquefied natural gas industry will be challenged as rival ventures march ahead.

DESPITE a major spat with federal Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop, political observer Peter van Onselen still puts her in his top 10 most influential Western Australians.

With the uranium sector on the cusp of major growth in WA, junior exploration firms have been told to join forces or risk missing the boat.

THERE is an interesting collection of businesspeople who wield influence in government due to their roles as board members of major corporatised agencies.

THE battle over energy in Western Australia has taken another twist with a consortium dominated by mining companies asking the government to set more stringent conditions on another resources project.

WEST Perth-based Croesus Mining will be transformed into a base metals explorer following a deal with gold miner Apex Minerals and prospector Mark Creasy.

Major resources projects in WA have insulated the local steel fabrication industry from the global financial crisis.

Some of the commentary on BHP, Rio and Chinalco has been hysterical.

HENDERSON-BASED shipbuilder Strategic Marine this month launched a new vessel it says sets new design and construction standards for crew boats in the oil and gas industry.

ENTITIES controlled by the Chinese government are now taking major stakes in primary industries on a global scale that makes Enron's involvement in the US power industry look like child's play.