Google invests $145m in solar plant on old oil field

Google is investing $145 million (£89m), helping convert a former oil and gas field into a solar power plant in the US. The 82MW Regulus solar project in Kern County in California will generate enough electricity to power 10,000 homes and support around 650 jobs. Nearly 250,000 solar panels will be fitted by SunEdison. The […]

Brazil to offer ‘30% of Libra oil field profits’

Brazil could offer as much as a 30% take to firms for developing its largest oil field, reports claim. The news follows the nation’s announcement last month to auction the rights to explore and develop blocks in the Libra field, with the first bidding round expected to start in October. According to reports, Brazil’s national […]

Helicopter chartered by French oil firm crashes in Peru

Thirteen people are missing in Peru after a helicopter, chartered by French oil company Perenco, crashed in the northern Amazon jungle yesterday. In a statement released, the firm said that “at this stage, no survivors have been found”. The MI-8 helicopter was carrying nine passengers and four crew members – all Peruvian nationals. Reports claim […]

Statoil gets green light for North Sea oil drilling

Statoil has been given the go-ahead to drill an oil field, believed to be one of the biggest developments ever in the North Sea. The £4.6 billion Mariner oil field (pictured) is expected to produce around 55,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak – 5% of Britain’s daily production. Located on the East […]

You know the drill: North Sea oil project approved

The Government today approved a £1.6billion oil project in the North Sea which was made possible by the Chancellor’s latest oil and gas tax allowance. Energy Minister John Hayes said the Talisman project showed a “new wave” in interest in the North Sea oil fields. It will create a further 100 million barrels of oil […]

Riots hit Indonesia oil field

A demonstration at an Indonesian oil field has escalated into a riot, according to Reuters. The incident was sparked on Saturday night after thirty protestors at the Tiaka field, jointly run by state-owned Pertamina and Medco Tomori. Ground crew were evacuated and six wells were stopped at the site on Saturday, leading to a production […]