November 21st, 2006:

By Dino Mahtani: Published: November 21 2006 02:00 | Last updated: November 21 2006 02:00

The promised start-up of the long delayed West Africa Gas Pipeline next year could finally mark a significant step forward for much needed power generation in the region. As long as it is not delayed again. The $600m project was first conceived in 1995 by the governments of Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin to supply abundant Nigerian gas to its three neighbours as an alternative and cheaper way of generating power. It is especially important for Ghana, one of the region’s better economies, which is reliant on hydroelectricity for 60 per cent of its power. read more

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE

New York crude-oil futures fell slightly in quiet trade, pressured by continuing doubts about OPEC production cuts, as well as forecasts for seasonally warm weather. But the switch to a new front-month contract meant prices ended the day about $3 a barrel higher than Friday’s settlement. Here is Monday’s roundup of oil and energy news:

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EU PRODS RUSSIA ON ENERGY: The European Union urged Russia and other neighbors to commit to long-term energy contracts that will guarantee them customers and investments while securing affordable oil and natural gas supplies for the EU. The appeal, which came at the start of a two-day conference of officials from the EU and oil and gas exporting nations, underscored Western Europe’s desire to make energy a top priority at a time when its demand is growing, its own supplies are dwindling and world prices are high. read more

Nov 20 6:15 PM US/Eastern

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Websites that publish inflammatory information written by other parties cannot be sued for libel, the California Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The ruling in favour of free online expression was a victory for a San Diego woman who was sued by two doctors for posting an allegedly libelous e-mail on two websites.

Some of the Internet’s biggest names, including Amazon.com, America Online Inc., EBay Inc., Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc., took the defendant’s side out of concern a ruling against her would expose them to liability. read more

20 November 2006

The Russian government may again consider introducing a zero mineral resource tax rate for offshore oil and gas fields in 2007. This could become a bargaining chip in talks with Shell on the Sakhalin 2 project in Russia’s Far East, and with Chevron on the Shtokman gas field development in the Barents Sea, analysts told the paper.

The final decision has yet to be made, said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov. “There are different opinions within the government.” read more