Energy

Babcock & Brown Power has sold its interest in two Western Australian power stations for a total of $130 million.

The value of BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe and Yabulu nickel operations have been written down by $US2.1 billion ($A3.3 billion), which equates to three quarters of its total investments in the related projects.

Finland-based company Poyry has been awarded more than $5 million worth of engineering work for Woodside Petroleum's Pluto liquefied natural gas project.

Petroleum company Royal Dutch Shell has reportedly agreed to sell an annual 2 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas over a 20-year period to a Chinese company, with the undeveloped Gorgon project in Western Australia to be tapped for supplies.

Engineering company Clough has secured a new $84 million contract by ConocoPhillips, operator of the Bayu-Undan joint venture in the Timor Sea.

Regional power supplier Horizon Power has entered into a 20-year deal with a Canadian company to build a gas-fired power station in the state's north to meet the growing energy needs in the Pilbara.

Falling commodity prices and higher operating costs have forced Russian miner Norilsk Nickel to halt production at two of its Western Australian mines.

The state's mining sector weighed heavily on the market capitalisation of Western Australian stocks, which lost $36 billion during October, a survey has found.

Redcliffe-based Global Construction Services has secured a $24 million contract for works at Brookfield Multiplex's City Square project in Perth.

Destined for a deficit; Property price fall worst in 25 years; Industry funds face attacks on unlisted valuations; Powers lock horns on crisis; Atlas digs in as big backers flex muscle

Cooper Energy has pulled out of the offshore Seruway Production Sharing Contract located in North Sumatra, Indonesia incurring a $19.8 million write-off for the oil producer.

Exploration company Spitfire Resources has finalised its move to take on advanced coal projects in Tasmania with two key exploration licences, covering the Langloh and Avoca thermal coal projects, being granted.

Eastern states-based law firm, Middletons is merging with two of Perth's boutique corporate law firms, Salter Power and Franklyn Legal.

Uranio has acquired a thermal coal project in the Sakoa Basin of Madagascar called Imaloto, plus an associated cash injection worth more than $2 million in a deal with Coal of Africa and Oak Nominees for 50 million shares.

It's OK to go into red - RBA; Babcock to cut itself in two; BHP softens plans to increase production; Reynolds re-election renews ABCC push; Razor gang with sharp eye for WA cuts

WHO remembers the final week of the 2008 state election campaign, when then premier Alan Carpenter ran an increasingly desperate and almost bizarre scare campaign? Every waking moment he told voters about the supposed dangers posed by uranium mining, nucl

MINES and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has announced the formation of a 12-member industry working group, chaired by former resources minister Peter Jones, to advise on ways to improve the state

TRANSPARENCY is a fascinating concept and last week I encountered two vastly different examples of its application, or more accurately, its absence.

THE global financial crisis may be pushing down energy prices, but there are concerns that this could ultimately hurt local power users more than benefit them.

Aquarius Platinum Ltd Zwelakhe Mankazana has been appointed as a non-executive director. Atom Energy Ltd Director Ross Louthean has resigned.

WHAT are the chances of Jim McGinty being regularly cheered and toasted at all major Nationals WA get-togethers? The reason for asking is that this long-time urban-based paramount leftist factional chief, when fine-tuning his electoral redistribution legi

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today announced his wife, Lee had sold her shares in BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers and Woodside Petroleum but he insisted he had done nothing wrong over perceived conflicts of interest.

Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics show that capital spending on mining and energy projects has fallen from its peak levels, though WA still accounts for the majority share.

Uranium exploration companies, Uranex NL and Energy and Minerals Australia have joined the collective voice of uranium mining groups, politicians and business lobby groups in applauding the Western Australian government's decision to lift the ban on urani

Forestry Minister Terry Redman has launched a plan for the oil mallee industry to capitalise on opportunities presented by the future carbon pollution reduction scheme.

Western Australia's uranium players have jumped up in trading today after the state government yesterday lifted a ban on uranium mining, a move strongly backed by WA business lobby groups.

The nation's nuclear science chief says lifting the ban on new uranium mines in Western Australia will prove a positive step for the cause of nuclear energy, although the federal government will ensure any moves are closely regulated.

Five leading WA engineers and industry members have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has announced the formation of a 12-member industry working group, chaired by former Resources Minister Peter Jones, to advise on ways to improve the state's exploration and development approvals process.

Clough has confirmed its contracted work for Apache Energy on the Varanus Island Gas Plant repairs amounts to approximately $60 million.

G20 backs new growth push; Windfall will go to WA and Victoria; BHP faces ore export plunge; Collapse of ABC to fuel legal overhaul; Ban all native forest logging - Conservation Council

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today stood firm against pressure to sell BHP Billiton and Woodside Petroleum shares held in his wife's superannuation fund.