Oil and Industry
Neftohim refinery boss: Europe’s refining sector will consolidate, improve
The number of oil refineries in Europe is likely to decrease but those that remain will be truly competitive, highly technological and highly efficient, Ilshat Sharafutdinov told EURACTIV in an interview.
EU warms up to plastic waste ‘recycling’ as transport fuel
A proposal to use non-recyclable plastic waste in the production of transport fuels is picking momentum among EU member states and legislators in the European Parliament, despite warnings from environmentalists.
BP confesses ‘mistake’ in forecasting renewable energy growth
The pace at which India – and China in particular – have developed solar power came as a surprise to BP analysts, the company’s chief economist told EURACTIV in an interview.
Greece launches tender for Hellenic Petroleum privatisation
Greece launched an international tender on Wednesday (18 April) to sell a majority stake in its biggest oil refiner, Hellenic Petroleum, as agreed under its third international bailout.
Russia says wider cooperation arrangement with OPEC could be indefinite
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that an arrangement under which Moscow cooperates with the OPEC oil group could become indefinite once a current deal to curb oil production expires in the end of the year.
IEA scenarios ‘inconsistent’ with Paris climate goals, study warns
The International Energy Agency has wrongly guided governments into decisions about oil, gas and coal use that are inconsistent with the long-term climate objectives of the Paris Agreement, according to a new report out on Thursday (5 April).
EU carbon market emissions rise for first time in 7 years in 2017
Emissions regulated under Europe's carbon market rose for the first time in seven years in 2017 due to stronger industrial output, data published on Tuesday (3 April) by the European Commission and examined by carbon analysts showed.
Europe watches as US vows to ditch car fuel efficiency rules
The Trump administration on Monday (2 April) rejected an Obama-era plan to make automobiles more fuel efficient, setting off a debate about the EU’s own emission standards, which are currently being discussed in Brussels.
Offshore oil facing countdown to comply with new EU safety rules
Oil companies operating in European waters are racing to comply with a 19 July deadline to implement new EU safety rules on offshore drilling adopted in the aftermath of the disastrous BP oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico. InfographicPromoted content
The challenges of the petroleum sector
How can the refining sector contribute to the reduction of transport greenhouse gas emissions and the improvement of air quality?
Energy efficiency – a game changer for Europe, a responsibility for industry
EU efforts to increase energy efficiency are now entering the sharp end of the legislative process, as trilateral talks ramp up. Nadezda Kokotovic explains what role industry should play in energy saving.
Russia’s economy: Still dependent on oil
After two years of recession caused by lower oil prices and western sanctions, Russia’s recovery benefits Vladimir Putin who is seeking a new term of office. However this improvement won’t last long without a structural reform. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Gas chief: ‘We expect at least 10% of the car market in 2030’
Just as Europe is engaging in a fierce race to electrify transport, makers of natural gas vehicles are coming out with bullish projections, saying they expect their car fleet in Europe to multiply tenfold to 13 million vehicles in 2030 – a 10% market share that could reach 20-30% for trucks and buses.
Off-limit new diesel cars evade European city bans
The vast majority of new diesel-powered vehicles that don’t meet EU emission limits still manage to escape low emission zones or diesel bans in European cities, according to new research published today (14 March).
Europe must regain the lead in clean automotive innovation
The EU must adopt policies that put European manufacturers on the right track to compete with the global shift to low carbon transport, writes Andrey Kovatchev.
Scientist: CCS ‘has to make sense’ for Paris climate goals
Keeping global warming below 2°C will be “more difficult, a lot more expensive, and a lot more delayed” without carbon capture and storage (CCS) – even with the sharp fall in renewable energy costs taken into account, Prof. Mike Norton told EURACTIV in an interview.
Are electric vehicles cleaner? The evidence points firmly in one direction
Opponents of electrification will continue to misuse lifecycle analyses to discredit battery electric vehicles. But they need to be increasingly ‘creative’ to do so, writes Julia Poliscanova.
Europe’s future oil production seen viable at $60 a barrel
Europe is hardly the first place that springs to mind when thinking about the world's major oil producing regions, and there is a perception that the domestic industry has already seen its heyday, particularly in the North Sea.
Is deep-sea mining worth the risk?
There is no evidence that deep-sea mining will reduce our dependency on land-based mining. We need to end business as usual and act to reduce the demand for these raw materials by making the transition towards a circular economy, write a group of Greens/EFA MEPs.
Bozhidar Danev: Part of Bulgaria’s fuel sector lies in the grey economy
Unusually low fuel prices in Bulgaria are probably the result of cartels, or contraband, Bozhidar Danev told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview, saying the authorities have so far been unable or unwilling to address the issue.
Malaysia to respond with ‘might and tact’ if EU proceeds with palm oil curbs
Malaysia will respond with "might and tact" if the European Union proceeds with a plan to limit use of palm oil in biodiesel, a cabinet minister said on Tuesday (5 March).
The death of diesel: Can struggling industry woo back consumers?
Amid fears about pollution, penalties and bans, buyers are abandoning diesel cars in droves. EURACTIV's media partner The Guardian reports.
Russia tells EU gas supplies via Ukraine under no immediate threat
Russia's Energy Ministry said on Saturday (3 March) that gas giant Gazprom's intention to terminate contracts with Ukraine poses no immediate threat to natural gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine.