Energy

THE state government has announced the appointment of chief executives for three of its major agencies as the focus turns to who will take the reigns at the departments set to be restructured.

AS global carbon emissions continue to rise, the investment world has begun to grapple with growing costs of consuming fossil fuels.

WHILE apprenticeship programs have been a focus for the government in Western Australia during the past few years, the sector is still suffering from a participation shortfall.

HOW many dollars and how many share options does it take to motivate a chief executive? Judging by recent experience with engineering and contracting companies in the Perth market, it could be anything from $350,000 up to nearly $3 million.

Perth-based Westralian Gas and Power has signed a title transfer and share sale agreement and a joint venture shareholder's agreement with Oswal Resources.

Perth-based engineering firm, GRD Minproc has been awarded an ore processing technology contract on the world's largest uranium deposit and a world scale copper and gold resource, BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam Expansion Project.

West Perth-based Iron Ore Holdings has discovered a new high-grade iron ore deposit at its 100%-owned Weeli Wolli Project near Yandicoogina in the Pilbara.

Alcoa has shelved the proposed expansion of the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, estimated to cost approximately $3 billion, amid weakening demand and volatility in financial markets.

Investors rush to pour $3bn into NAB; 'Green car' drive in Rudd's industry rescue; Community bars bureaucrats to protest Beagle Bay gas plan; Liberty chairman quits uranium hopeful over self-interest issues; World buoyed by surprise stimulus package

Rio Tinto is confident about the future demand from China for iron ore despite announcing today it will scale back production at its operations in the Pilbara region by 10 per cent.

Nido Petroleum has delivered its first cargo of almost 300,000 barrels of Galoc crude oil to the Petron refinery at Limay, Philippines.

Cooper Energy has become the major shareholder in Incremental Petroleum, purchasing a share of almost 27 per cent in the company.

Mine employment caves in; WA gas demand to double; Uranium's still hot despite Rio's slowdown plans; Pressure on US to bail out car giants; Obama demands new rescue plan

RESOURCESTOCKS magazine has named its best performers in the Australian resources sector for 2008 in its Best of the Best Awards.

A new power station in Naval Base opened this afternoon, ensuring a capacity boost of 10 per cent to Western Australia's power supplies.

ASX-listed Po Valley Energy Limited has been granted six-year gas exploration licences for its La Prospera and Terra del Sole prospects near Bologna in northern Italy.

The Water Corporation has named Sue Murphy as its new chief executive, replacing Jim Gill who retires at the end of the year after a 12-year reign.

Engineering firm Monadelphous Group has secured a $76 million contract from Ports Corporation of Queensland for expansion works at the Abbot Point coal terminal.

ONE of the recurring criticisms of Western Australia is that the state is little more than a quarry for the rest of the world and that our small, one-dimensional economy drives bright, young talent to cities like Melbourne, London and Sydney.

RUMOURS of the death of consulting engineering appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

AS someone who prefers small perfectly formed objects as opposed to monolithic structures, when it comes to business, the government's decision to carve up two Labor-created super departments is something I'd generally welcome.

One year after Wesfarmers secured Australia's largest takeover, the investment market is unsure of the company's prospects.

BUSINESSES in Western Australia spend proportionately more on research and development than their counterparts in any other state, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found.

Downer EDI has secured a $35 million engineering contract with BHP Billiton for expansion works at its Pilbara iron ore operations, while Paladio Group has won its third Woodside contract in two months.

Allco crashes under $1bn debt burden; Receivers to take over ABC Learning; White knight tip emerges in battle for Mt Gibson control; ETS modelling under fire; Telstra issue broadband ultimatum

Delay carbon plan, warns RBA director; Hundreds of jobs go as crisis hits miners; Stamp duty slump hits state budgets; Housing, retail downturn boost case for rate cut; China demand slowing, admits Rio

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has not given up hope the state can still benefit from Inpex's multi-billion dollar Ichthys liquefied natural gas facility.

Perth-based Mission NewEnergy Ltd has produced first bio-ethanol from non food agricultural waste material, which sets up the company to produce the fuel from a range of low-cost and readily available feedstock.

Clough Ltd has signed a $56 million agreement with Superior Energy Services Inc to charter the newly built Rem Clough and provide associated subsea services.

The legal battle between Oil Basins Ltd and ARC Energy Ltd has been resolved, with the Canning Basin joint venture partners agreeing to a new arrangement.

Advanced Engine Components Ltd has entered into a potential 10-year purchase deal with India's Tata Motors Ltd that is estimated to generate over $30 million in revenue over three years for the Malaga-based company.

Westpac outshines its rivals; RBA plays down fears of recession; Wesfarmers seeks €3b to cover Coles debt; Miners pull projects as prices drop; Bills go up $365 as LNG hit hard