Democrats Push Green Energy at Convention Oil Daily (Thursday, August 28, 2008) Democrats have been talking up presidential candidate Barack Obama's plans to promote clean, renewable energy technology and create "green collar" job opportunities at their national convention in Denver this week. As the race for the White House heats up, party leaders have also tackled US dependence on imported oil, an issue that the Republicans have sought to claim as their own.

Georgian Flows Resume, but Fears Grow Over Long-Term Stability International Oil Daily (Thursday, August 28, 2008) Flows of Caspian oil and gas across the Georgian "corridor" to Turkey and Black Sea ports are slowly returning to normal. But the long-term outlook for Georgia and the entire South Caucasus region looks increasingly uncertain, after Russia recognized the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and continues to maintain a strong military presence at Georgia's main Black Sea port of Poti.

Fears Arise That Poland Could Face Energy Pressure Nefte Compass (Thursday, August 28, 2008) With the conflict between Russia and Georgia bringing tensions between Moscow and the West to a new post-Soviet high, fears have emerged that Poland could face a cut in pipeline crude oil supplies from Russia because of its support for the US' controversial missile defense program. Regardless of whether these fears hold any basis in reality, they are certainly having an impact on the industry.

MARKET INSIGHT: A Bit More LNG World Gas Intelligence (Wednesday, August 27, 2008) The gradual ramp-up of Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Train 6, confirmed to have been under way since April, and the anticipated loading of a first Qatargas 2 cargo as soon as December could provide a modest boost in US LNG intake still lingering below 1 billion cubic feet per day (7.7 million tons per year). But it probably isn't enough to relieve global tightness that looks set to bring record-high spot LNG prices this winter. The first full contract year for NLNG Train 6 is to begin in October 2009.

HORIZON: Many Terminals Rushing Into LNG Storage, Re-Export Play World Gas Intelligence (Wednesday, August 27, 2008) Not only has Cheniere joined Freeport LNG in applying for permission to re-export LNG from the US as a means of improving the economics of underutilized receiving terminals, but Canadian developers may get in on the act. This trend suggests LNG storage and transshipment could replace floating storage as the favored seasonal gas play when US summer prices are low and Asian buyers are expected to pay top dollar later. But it has the potential to upset exporting countries, as Zeebrugge events show.

EIA Chief Sees Structural Shift In US Market Oil Daily (Wednesday, August 27, 2008) A portion of US petroleum demand lost to high prices and the sluggish economy could be gone for good due to a structural shift among consumers in favor of more fuel-efficient vehicles. So says the outgoing head of the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Still No Gas For Shell Venture in Saudi Arabia International Oil Daily (Wednesday, August 27, 2008) Royal Dutch Shell's joint venture exploring for gas in Saudi Arabia's Rub al-Khali has found hydrocarbons while drilling its latest well, but the structures were already discovered decades ago and should not be considered new finds, sources familiar with the venture tell International Oil Daily.

States Sue EPA Over Refinery Emissions Oil Daily (Tuesday, August 26, 2008) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has come under fire from a dozen states that have sued the government agency over greenhouse gas emissions from crude oil refineries. The lawsuit says the EPA has failed to issue standards that would control emissions from refineries.