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Indonesia plans to soften foreign miners' divestment rule Reuters 5 Sep 2013
Indonesia plans to relax a rule forcing foreign miners to sell majority stakes and allow those who make downstream investments to keep bigger holdings, a spokesman at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said on Thursday. Last year, the Indonesian government said foreign companies must reduce their stake in a mine to 49 percent or less within 10 years of production starting, though it has been unclear how the rules will be applied. The rule was part of a push by Indonesia, which is the world's top nickel ore, refined tin and thermal coal exporter, to generate more profits and influence in commodities markets.
DNV Kema opens smart grid, renewable energy center in Singapore Electric Light & Power 5 Sep 2013
The DNV Kema Clean Technology Center in Singapore has opened an Asian Center of Excellence for Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Management. The center will provide advisory services on the technical and business aspects of smart grids ranging from Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployment strategies, electricity market restructuring and grid infrastructure impact to market potential assessments.
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ASEAN
IEA’s Birol Says Oil Prices Still Too High for Economic Recovery Bloomberg 11 Sep 2013
Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency’s chief economist, comments on price of oil. He spoke in an interview today in the Chinese city of Dalian, where he’s attending the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions. “Oil prices are still very high for the fragile economic recovery. It’s high for Europe and also too high for developing Asian countries. It is more than welcome that prices are going down a bit” and providing room for an economic recovery.
Brunei
Brunei poised to roll out feed-in tariffs pv magazine 9 Sep 2013
The southeast Asian sovereign state of Brunei – a nation synonymous with fossil fuel riches that provide its citizens with one of the highest standards of living in the world – is preparing to embark on a renewable energy path that the country hopes will transform its future. Brunei’s Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Yasmin Hj Umar, announced today the country’s plans to roll out an FIT policy over the next 18–24 months. ??It is hoped, YB Pehin Dato Hj Yasmin claimed, that the introduction of FITs will help Brunei reach its goal of achieving a 10% renewable energy output by 2035 – one of a number of objectives outlined in the upcoming Energy White Paper.
Lukut Updip-1 Well Drilling Update-Preparing to Test Market Wired 9 Sep 2013
Serinus Energy Inc. (TSX:SEN)(WARSAW:SEN) ("Serinus", "SEN" or the "Company"), an international upstream oil and gas exploration and production company, advises that the Company has drilled the Lukut Updip-1 directional well ("LKU-1") to a total measured depth ("MD") of 2,137 metres, has set 4.5 inch casing at 2,120 metres after encountering high formation pressures and gas. The Company is preparing to test the well.
Cambodia
Australian company finds 'significant' mineral deposits in Preah Vihear Cambodia Herald 5 Sep 2013
Australia's Geopacific Resources NL said Thursday it had found "significant" amounts of gold, copper and molybdenum at its Kou Sa project in Preah Vihear. In a statement, the mineral explorer said the results of the first phase of its soil-sampling program had also found "associated multi-element anomalism" at the site. "These results have demonstrated the potential for a variety of deposit styles within the Kou Sa project, including near surface copper sulphide veining and deeper porphyry copper-gold mineralisation and its related mineralisation styles," the Perth-based company said. "A program of infill soil sampling has commenced over the main zone of Cu-Mo-Au anomalism in the northwest of the sampling area and is aimed at further defining the dimensions identified in Phase One of the geochemical sampling program.
Indonesia
Indonesia coal group seeks delay in royalty hike Reuters 10 Sep 2013
Indonesia's coal trade group asked the government on Monday to postpone plans to hike royalties on output for some miners to avoid a further blow to an industry already battered by coal prices that are near the lowest in almost four years. The Indonesian Coal Mining Association warned the world's top thermal coal exporter could see output tumble by as much as 40 percent next year if the government hikes export taxes and royalties paid by mining permit holders, known as IUP.
Sugih Energy Plans to Buy 51 Percent-Stake in Ramba Energy The Jakarta Globe 10 Sep 2013
Sugih Energy, a Jakarta-listed integrated energy services company, plans to acquire a 51 percent stake in Singapore-listed Ramba Energy, via a S$112 million ($88m) transaction. In a statement to the Indonesia Stock Exchange, Sugih, through its Singapore incorporated subsidiary Sugih Energy Pte Ltd, is offering to buy a total of 174.79 million shares in Ramba at S$0.65 each. “This acquisition will strengthen the company’s operation in the future,” said Sugih’s president director, Andhika Anindyaguna. Sugih, operating in oil and gas exploration as well as services, is controlled by Singapore-based trust fund Goldenhill Energy Fund (22.2 percent), DMG & Partners Securities Pte Ltd (5.32 percent) and public shareholders(72.44 percent).
Pertamina looks to Kazakhstan LNG trade-off The Jakarta Post 9 Sep 2013
ndonesia’s state-backed energy firm PT Pertamina says it will assess an opportunity to help its Kazakhstan-based counterpart, KazMunayGas, develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant there. In return, Pertamina expects the Kazakh firm to invest in Indonesia, particularly in oil and gas drilling, as well as develop new blocks, according to Pertamina president director Karen Agustiawan.
Indonesia Oil Regulator Suggests Giving Tenders to Pertamina Amid Scandal The Jakarta Globe 5 Sep 2013
Indonesia’s scandal-hit energy regulator has proposed handing the management of crude and condensate sales tenders to state-owned oil company Pertamina in a bid to reduce the potential for graft, government officials said on Thursday. The proposal comes a few weeks after former SKKMigas chairman Rudi Rubiandini was arrested by an anti-graft agency on suspicion of accepting a bribe from an oil trading company that had won a series of Indonesian condensate tenders. Now SKKMigas wants to change existing regulations and hand over to Pertamina the auction of about 70,000 barrels a day (bpd) of the country’s crude and condensate output.
Laos
India agrees to provide $66.15 million to Laos The Economic Times 9 Sep 2013
India today agreed to provide USD 66.15 million to Laos for irrigation and hydro power projects, including the extension of transmission lines, for socio-economic development in the South East Asian nation. The decision was taken during External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's ongoing visit to the country to participate in the 7th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting (JMC) on Bilateral Cooperation.
Malaysia
Transmission link brings hydropower from Malaysia to Indonesia renewable energy focus 4 Sep 2013
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of Indonesia plan to build a cross-border power transmission line linking West Kalimantan with Sarawak, Malaysia, bringing hydroelectricity to West Kalimantan and adding 8000 households to its power grid. “West Kalimantan gets renewable energy and will have the ability to exchange power; Sarawak starts its first export of hydropower; and the region moves one step closer to establishing a regional power transmission link that crosses Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia,” said ADB energy specialist Sohail Hasnie.
Yee appointed new chairman of SEDA Malaysia The Borneo Post 3 Sep 2013
Former Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai has been appointed new chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) effective September 1, 2013, for a two-year term. Dr Yee graduated with a medical and law degree from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, and had practised law in Kota Kinabalu. He was also Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology Sabah from 2004 to 2013 and former Api-Api assemblyman.
Myanmar
List of local energy partners grows to 154 – and counting Myanmar Times 9 Sep 2013
A ministry of Energy list of domestic companies allowed to partner with foreign firms on energy exploration and production projects has grown to 154 companies. The list, which is compiled by the ministry’s Energy Planning Department, now includes companies backed by prominent tycoons U Tay Za, U Aik Tun, U Yan Win and U Nay Win Tun – owners of Asia Green, Shwe Taung, A-1, and Ruby Dragon respectively.
China Environmental NGO Aims to Boost Burma’s Renewable Energy Technologies Irrawaddy 5 Sep 2013
The Global Environmental Institute of China (GEI-China) wants to assist Burma with the development of rural renewable energy technologies, offering advice through a two-day workshop ending Thursday in Rangoon. The Beijing-based NGO, which encourages best practices in environmental protection and energy conservation internationally, aims to introduce a variety of renewable energy technologies to Burma, and to propose financial mechanisms that will allow these technologies to be deployed.
Philippines
Energy Chief Worries About Electricity Amid Philippine Growth WSJ 9 Sep 2013
The Philippine economy is growing at such a fast clip that it could outpace available power, leading to energy outages, particularly in the capital region of metropolitan Manila and its surrounding provinces, the Southeast Asian country’s energy chief says. Department of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla says the faster-than-expected growth–7.5% in the first half, ahead of the government’s target of 6.0%-to-7.0% this year–could strain the power supply, which was calibrated for an annual performance of just over 6%. That coming strain will be especially felt on the main island of Luzon, where more than half of the country’s gross domestic product is generated.
Singapore
Singaporean state firm invests in geothermal energy developer Business World Online 11 Sep 2013
A document attached to the disclosure showed that GIC -- through transactions from July 1 to Aug. 30 -- had accumulated a total of 942,774,249 shares equivalent to 5.0281% of the total common shares issued by EDC. These shares are held in the central depository and registered in the name of PCD Nominee Corp. "The securities were acquired for purpose of investment. GIC has no plans or proposal to take control of the registrant," the document read. GIC, a company fully owned by the Singaporean government, was incorporated in 1981 to manage state investments in order "to preserve and enhance Singapore’s foreign reserves", according to the company’s Web site. It manages approximately $100 billion worth of assets like equities, real estate and natural resources in over 40 countries.
Thailand
Thai PTT plans to sell palm oil business in Indonesia Reuters 11 Sep 2013
Thailand's largest energy firm, PTT Pcl, plans to sell its palm oil business in Indonesia worth an estimated $300-400 million as part of moves to divest non-core businesses, a senior company official said on Wednesday. State-controlled PTT is one of several Thai companies that expanded aggressively in recent years, but which have since scaled back investments because of a slump in Southeast Asian exports in recent months. PTT slashed this year's budget by 46 percent and most of its cutbacks involved planned foreign investments.
GE, Bangpa-In Cogeneration Sign Service Agreement for New Thailand Power Generation Facility World Leasing 6 Sep 2013
Highlighting GE’s (NYSE: GE) technical expertise and regional capabilities in support of the country’s Small Power Producers (SPP) Program, GE and Bangkok-based power plant developer Bangpa-In Cogeneration Ltd., a subsidiary of CK Power Plc., have announced the signing of a $33 million service agreement. Under the agreement, GE will provide inspection and planned maintenance services for 12 years for two GE LM6000-PD aeroderivative gas turbines at a 110-megawatt (MW) gas-fired cogeneration plant being built in Bangpa-In, in Thailand’s Ayutthaya Province.
Atwood Manta Gets Contract from Coast Energy to Work off Thailand Rigzone 30 Aug 2013
Atwood Oceanics, Inc. announced Thursday that one of its subsidiaries has been awarded a two year contract extension by CEC International, Ltd. for the jackup Atwood Manta (400' ILC). The extension is priced at a day rate of $159,500 in Thailand and begins Dec. 2. The operating rate for additional geographic locations will be adjusted to account for differences in taxes and operating costs. With the extension, the Atwood Manta's firm commitment extends through Dec. 2, 2015.
Vietnam
ROK to actively cooperate with Vietnam on energy, nuclear power Global Times 9 Sep 2013
The Republic of Korea will actively participate in the development of S. korea-Vietnam energy and infrastructure cooperation projects in Vietnam, said South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Park made the statement at a press briefing after talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Monday. South Korean businesses will cooperate with Vietnam in power projects in southern Vietnam including the Nghi Son 2 thermal power project, said Park.
Electricity in Vietnam A heavy load the Economist 31 Aug 2013
In 1894 Prince Henri d’Orléans published a book of his journey through France’s then-sprawling empire. His florid account was largely upbeat. Yet it soured along the northern coastline of Vietnam, where he lamented the “dilatory attitude of a red-tape administration” when it came to exploiting the area’s coal reserves. Now red tape is again impeding foreign investment in Vietnam’s energy sector. The country’s electricity supply is fairly reliable—if compared with Myanmar and Pakistan. But daily life is punctuated by brownouts which analysts say will intensify unless officials reform a state-dominated power market and entice foreign companies to build more power plants. That also has sobering implications for the ruling Communist Party, which is trying to revive a slow economy and boost its sagging legitimacy.