Energy and Mining
Why Desertec Could Succeed
There is no doubt that the development of Desertec will be a challenge for its architects, promoters and supporters. Technical difficulties will add to financing and regulatory issues never anticipated before, further magnified by cultural differences that exist between countries involved in this giant project. But despite all the difficulties of the world, the project must succeed and there is plenty of evidence and good reasons why I think it will.
A Nuclear North Africa
Oil and gas remain critical sources of power and energy for North African nations. In the medium term, hydrocarbons will remain the predominant sources of energy, whether it is for the OPEC countries of Algeria and Libya or the less-oil-endowed nations of Tunisia and Morocco. But in the longer term, the nuclear option appears interesting to all as oil reserves are depleted and securing new sources of energy is a strategic priority. ...North Africa to Play an Increasing Role in Mediterranean Downstream
PFC Energy: The Mediterranean oil product markets have historically been dominated by the Western European Med markets (France, Italy and Spain), both in terms of demand (47% of demand in 2008) and in terms of refining production (48% of supply in 2008). Going forward, however, Western European markets will see their weight progressively decline, due to a decline in demand and to challenges for some of its refineries....Gulf Keystone to Sell Algerian Permit to Focus on Kurdistan Operations
Bermuda-based oil company Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. says it is looking to sell its interest in the Hassi Ba Hamou permit (HBH). ...Libya to Adjust Domestic Oil and Gas Prices, Seeks to Curb Consumption
The Libyan authorities are looking for ways to reduce domestic consumption of crude oil. ...Algeria in Anadarko’s 2009 Capital Program
The Algerian exploration sector will continue to benefit from Anadarko Petroleum’s 2009 capital program. ...Algeria’s Gas Exploration Program Challenged by Tough Economic Reality
Oil and gas exploration is likely to go through a sluggish period in the foreseeable future. And Algeria is already testing this theory. ...Sonatrach Invests in New LNG Facilities
Two projects are currently being planned that would boost by 30% the Algerian firm Sonatrach’s production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over the next few years....New Oil and Gas Discovery in Libya
Calgary, Canada-based oil company Verenex Energy Inc says it has made an oil and gas discovery in Libya in the Ghadames Basin....Morocco, Tunisia: Not Giving up on Oil and Gas
Eight Years After the Talsint Debacle and Morocco Continues to Hope for Oil. It has been eight years since the Talsint debacle took place. In the year 2000, the Moroccan public awakened with the news that oil was discovered in the Talsint region, only to learn later that the news was bogus. ...What's new
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