STUFF

2 substitutes for guar bean extract - used in fracking - have hit market. 1 each from Baker Hughes and Halliburton. Several other labs working on theirs. But reports coming in that none are working as well as guar.

Malawi and Tanzania resolving territorial dispute to get oil exploration going.

Kenya has initiated its Lamu oil port project and discussions with S Sudan on pipeline going well.

Energy-related US Q1 CO2 emissions lowest of any Q1 since '92: EIA. Down 8% from year ago. Mild winter, reduced gasoline use, conversion of coal-fired to NG-fired power plants (the big one).

Iraq has been helping Iran skirt sanctions. Well, you're welcome, Iraq, for the US getting rid of Hussein for you and bequeathing you democracy. With our kids' blood, guts, limbs and lives. And, surely, yours too. Wishes we could have avoided all that. But Hussein really had to go. So what the money. Baghdad bank last month barred from American banking system (as pure as that is). But just a part of network of financial institutions and oil smuggling operations helping Iran. Can't write fiction better than this.

India govt missed out on near $34B in royalties - a report says - by selling private coal comps concessions at negotiated prices instead of auction.

Conservative US Repubs launched new group to promote clean E. Huh. Skin in the game my guess.

Milwaukee coal power plant to convert to NG.

Singapore announced climate action plan.

Results in from Utica shale formation in east Ohio. Output of "wet gas" - NG and NG liquids - exciting comps with claims along PA border. But search for shale oil further west disappointing.

Gulf of Mex offshore drilling activity nearing pre-spill levels.

Theft of Mex oil products on rise.

Oil wells, weather tied to ozone pollution rise in Uinta Basin Utah.

DOE: 67% domestic content in US wind farms' equipment in '11, up from 60% in '10. Near 2x '05-'06. 500 US factories serving the sector. Wind now provides ~3% of total US elgen.

US Army spent $5B on clean/renewable energy in FY11. To invest $3B in FY13. FY12 not in yet.

United Airlines joined Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group.

Nestle chairman urging politicians to end use of food for biofuels.

Iowa State U, Purdue reports found waiving RFS for biofuels will not lower corn prices. Well, you have to look at the states where those reports come from. And their corn production. And who paid for the study, possibly. You know, how will our greatgrandkids look back on us and ask what the hell were our folks thinking?! If this age makes it that far. For God's sake, people need food. And the rich can drive less or more expensively.

Sorry to get so emotional.

Brazil govt launched BOB - Brasilia Oil, Gas, Biofuel - to support logistics and infrastructure for these sectors.

DC court approved partial waiver for E15. Added E15 option for gas pumps, not full blend into gasoline, as I understand it. E10 market has been saturated. If E15 blend were implemented during this drought, 2/3 or more of US corn crop could be diverted to fuel was a quote. Thank God somebody in power has compassion.

US govt released official rules for offshore drilling safety to replace interim rules after '10 spill. Will cost industry $131M/y more - peanuts to them - for increased inspections, tests and new equipment.

Researchers developing sustainable fisheries feed.

Wind power comp moving turbines to avoid birds.

It appears global oil production fell ~1Mb/d in June from ~90Mb/d plateau since Jan. Well, there's the price rise at the pumps. July showing little change from June. US NG inventories remaining ~12.5% above normal for this time of year.

US crude oil demand fell to lowest in near 4 years in July. Better mileage cars. Less pleasure cruises. Less pleasure flying. Name it. Pleasure boating? Trucking? Trains? Shipping?

US exports of coal and fuels on track to set new annual record.

Chevron appealing Brazil court injunction on operations.

Shell's window for drilling offshore Alaska closing for this year. Still retrofitting spill response vessel. And then there's Coast Guard OK.

Next month we could see Artic sea ice shrink to record set in '07.

Rwanda - remember the hotel - to drill for geothermal in Dec.

Petrobras (Brazil) raising expectations of another giant find in offshore sub-salt layer.

Venezuela increased oil sales to China to 640Kb/d. "Better price than US".

Proposed US opening up 11.8M acres of National Petrol Reserve in Alaska.

Kurdistan - whom I would recognize as a sovereign nation just on basis of their long suffering - delivered 116Kb/d since restarting pumping on Aug 7 despite dispute with Baghdad. Or after it was resolved. Who knows. Hard tellin with all the goins on. Lot of blood shed by our boys over this oil and such. Too much. Way too much to not pay attention.

Chief of Belgium's nuke power regulatory agency "skeptical" that reactor near Antwerp can ever be restarted. Anomolies found in tank holding reactor core could be cracks.