Energy

As the Iraqi parliament begins to discuss the new oil law proposed by Washington, major U.S. and U.K. oil companies are busy lining up contracts [see series of articles].

ConocoPhillips looking at opportunities in Iraq, in partnership with Lukoil or on its own

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK

Antonia Juhasz, an analyst with Oil Change International, assesses the implications of the proposed Iraq Oil Law which has been largely drafted in Washington.

New York Times
Opinion Editorial

March 13, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor
Whose Oil Is It, Anyway?

By ANTONIA JUHASZ
San Francisco

TODAY more than three-quarters of the world's oil is owned and

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 | 11:38 AM MT
CBC News

Northern First Nations are calling for a halt to further development in Alberta's oilsands, saying the massive industrial growth is hurting their land, their water and their people.

Fort McMurray, Alberta – Jan. 31 – After completing a tour of the Suncor oil sands facilities north of here, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of the Dehcho First Nations, called on Canada and Alberta to support a moratorium on further development of the massive oil producing Athabasca Tar Sands “until some sanity can be brought into this situation.”

By Chris Floyd
t r u t h o u t | UK Correspondent

I. Surging Toward the Ultimate Prize

Jason Gondziola, The New Canadian Magazine
Spring 2005

More like a gigantic sandbox than an oil basin, the Athabasca oil sands make up one-third of the world's known reserves. In total, there are 1.7 trillion barrels of oil, but only 175 billion barrels are recoverable with today's technology, depending on how you do the math.

What might bring down the Conservative government? Income trusts probably won't do it. The NDP supports the trust clamp-down and the Liberals, in their ham-fisted way, tried to kill the market last year. Afghanistan? Unlikely, unless the body count soars. How about the oil sands? Now there's a file that could blow up in Stephen Harper's face and bring on an election.

CTV.ca

A study on global warming released Monday warns that the expansion of Alberta's booming oilsands industry is threatening Canadian freshwater reserves.

The World Wildlife Fund Canada's report on water resources also warns that even a small amount of global warming could have a dire impact on flows in bodies such as the Great Lakes and Athabasca River.

The Nation (Nairobi)

The Government yesterday stepped up its campaign on oil companies to lower pump prices.

And as the State did this through acting Energy minister Henry Obwocha, Ndhiwa MP Orwa Ojodeh took a motion to Parliament seeking permission to introduce a Bill that will amend the law to give the Government control over fuel prices.

This Day (Lagos)

Akwa Ibom State government has instituted legal action against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and five of its executive directors over tax evasion.

Joined in the suit No. REU/2959/2006 were Mr Cyril Odu, Mr Udom Inoyo, Mr Isaac Komolafe, Mr Etta Amba and Mr Patrick Effiong, all Executive Directors of the oil major.