Oil and Gas News

December 18, 2012

How to get fossil fuels from ice cream and soap
Manchester UK (SPX) Dec 18, 2012
Writing in PNAS, the researchers have shown that the emerging field of synthetic biology can be used to manipulate hydrocarbon chemicals, found in soaps and shampoos, in cells. This development, discovered with colleagues at the University of Turku in Finland, could mean fuel for cars or household power supplies could be created from naturally-occurring fatty acids. The researchers, led by Professor Nick Turner from The University of Manchester, used synthetic biology to hijack the naturally ... read more

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Nanofibers clean sulfur from fuel Sulfur compounds in petroleum fuels have met their nano-structured match. University of Illinois researchers developed mats of metal oxide nanofibers that scrub sulfur from petroleum-based fuels muc ... more		New Factor could Limit the Life of Hybrid and Electric Car Batteries A new study of the batteries commonly used in hybrid and electric-only cars has revealed an unexpected factor that could limit the performance of batteries currently on the road. Researchers l ... more		China makes U.N. appeal for maritime claim China has submitted to the United Nations what it calls geological evidence that would mean disputed islands in the East China Sea close are Chinese territory. ... more
				Incoming Japan PM pledges no compromise on islands Japan's premier-in-waiting Shinzo Abe came out fighting Monday after his sweeping election victory, saying there can be no compromise on the sovereignty of islands at the centre of a dispute with China. ... more		Iran oil revenues halved by sanctions: minister Iran is losing half of its oil revenues because of international sanctions imposed over its disputed nuclear programme, Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini said in remarks quoted by media on Monday. ... more

CubeSats, SmallSats and MicroSats

Iraqi air force receives US transport planes Iraq received three transport aircraft on Monday and is slated to take delivery of three more soon, the US embassy said. ... more		NC State Study Offers Insight Into Converting Wood to Bio-Oil New research from North Carolina State University provides molecular-level insights into how cellulose - the most common organic compound on Earth and the main structural component of plant cell wal ... more		The first animals on Earth may have been sea sponges, study suggests Wildfire-induced thunderstorms recreated in Earth system models for first time Fengyun satellite strengthens China global weather forecasting capacity		Algeria pushes $80 billion energy drive Algeria's state energy company Sonatrach is pushing an $80 billion, five-year investment program to expand its oil and natural gas industry and is offering an incentives package to woo foreign companies to develop its shale energy resources. ... more
				Chavez health raises succession worries The next few weeks to the scheduled Jan. 10 presidential inauguration in Venezuela will determine how politics will affect ordinary lives in the oil-rich nation and its future direction. ... more		Chevron to pay $155 million for Brazil oil spill US oil giant Chevron has agreed to pay 310 million reales ($155 million) to Brazil for an oil spill last year that fouled beaches in Rio de Janeiro, officials said Saturday. ... more

Solar systems for home and business

CubeSats, SmallSats and MicroSats

Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison & Memory Foam Mattress Review

Britain lifts gas 'fracking' ban despite tremors The British government came out in favour of a controversial shale gas extraction method known as fracking, saying on Thursday that work should be resumed even though it is suspected of having triggered earthquakes. ... more		Block on Keystone pipeline lifted in Texas A Texas court has lifted a temporary restraining order on construction of a small portion of the controversial Keystone pipeline, operator TransCanada said Thursday. ... more		Maintaining US space dominance requires rapid and reliable delivery of new systems Germany pledges EUR35 bn for space defence against Russia, China Blackbaud Reviews: Key Insights To Consider Before Choosing an LMS		Brazil fighter deal seen to favor Boeing Brazil's long-delayed FX-2 fighter competition isn't over yet but Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet is winning friends in the Brazilian air force, news reports said. ... more
				Chinese firm to build electric cars in Bulgaria: report A Chinese automaker backed by billionaire US investor Warren Buffett has signed an agreement with energy giant Bulmineral to build an electric bus and car factory in Bulgaria, a report said Wednesday. ... more		BHP Billiton sells stake in Australian LNG Mining giant BHP Billiton said it would sell its interest in the Browse natural gas project offshore Western Australia to Chinese state-run oil producer PetroChina for $1.63 billion. ... more

Renewables Provide 46 percent All New US Electrical Generating Capacity in 2012

OpenADR Continues to Move the Smart Grid Forward

California's Energy Future: Buildings and Industrial Efficiency

Iran oil revenues halved by sanctions: minister

Nanofibers clean sulfur from fuel

Britain lifts gas 'fracking' ban despite tremors

NC State Study Offers Insight Into Converting Wood to Bio-Oil

Can Algae-Derived Oils Support Large-Scale, Low-Cost Biofuels Production?

Plastic packaging industry is moving towards completely bio-based products

EU funds frozen for Lithuanian nuclear decommissioning

Nuclear power emerges as new Japan campaign issue

Britain approves nuclear reactor design

	China's accelerating overseas buys raise fears China's biggest overseas takeover, the $15 billion purchase of Canada's Nexen, is a huge step in Beijing's push for foreign acquisitions - but its drive to secure resources and markets is causing unease. ... more		Israel, Iran vie for control of Red Sea The Red Sea, a key shipping route, is becoming an arena of confrontation between Israel and Iran, with Sudan and Eritrea key targets by both sides in a strategic contest that's likely to intensify in the months ahead. ... more		Texas landowner blocks Keystone pipeline building A Texas judge temporarily blocked construction on a small portion of the controversial Keystone pipeline after a landowner sought relief, but operator TransCanada said Tuesday it will have no impact. ... more		Trio Merger Corp. and SAE agree to merge Trio Merger Corp. and SAExploration have agreed to merge as part of a strategy to expand SAE's seismic data acquisition business worldwide. ... more

Denmark closes airspace to civilian drones amid rise in sightings

Top diplomats of North Korea, China agree to oppose 'hegemonism'

What is the high seas treaty?

Turkey, Iraq Kurds near explosive oil deal		Commando II Takes To Sky		BHP offloads Australia LNG interest to PetroChina		Encana sells stake in oil field to PetroChina subsidiary		Can Algae-Derived Oils Support Large-Scale, Low-Cost Biofuels Production?
Ultrasound can now monitor the health of your car engine		New system for aircraft forecasts potential storm hazards over oceans		Canada widens search for fighter jet beyond F-35		Rockwell Collins wins Navy E-6b upgrade		Danish PM refuses to block Greenland mining law

Philippines gives green-light to electric tricycles

CNOOC-Nexen deal the last for Canada?

Apple Maps glitch could be deadly: Australian police

Ukraine Crushed in $1.1bn Fake Gas Deal

Japanese car sales in China rocket 72% in November

Oil market gains on China data

Canada reconsidering F-35 fighter purchase: reports

Swiss to get Swedish jets cheaper than Swedes: report

US agency chief seeks to ease airplane electronics ban

Japan pedal power aims for human flight record

Romania gas, gold referendums scrapped after low turnout

China's CNOOC say Nexen staff will benefit from takeover

Arab states rush to join the shale boom

Four Chinese ships in disputed waters: Japan

Canada approves two energy takeovers worth $20 bn

Vietnam breaks up anti-China rally, arrests protesters

US extends exemptions for Asian powers to Iran oil sanctions

Chinese in talks to buy aircraft leaser ILFC

Work on automatic control of driverless vehicles through intersections receives recognition

Australia retires H-variant C-130 Hercules

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