coal

Some good research from China Knowledge this week. About how southeast Asia is becoming China's trading partner of choice.

China's trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has grown from just $8 billion in 1991 to $2.1 trillion in 2009.

PetroChina joined with Royal Dutch Shell in a bid for Australian coal-seam gas producer Arrow Energy as Asian countries scramble for a stake in the vast energy resources at their doorstep in Australia.

China is the key to the metals markets today. And there are some important signals about this market registering in the last few weeks.

On January 18, 2010, during the discussion of the Global Energy Outlook panel of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Peter Voser, President and CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, pointed out the potential of natural gas that has consistently been downplayed throughout the world as a substantial source of future energy supply.

Oil and politics have always gone together for a simple reason; since oil became an indispensable commodity without which the world as we know it today would not function, countries that produce oil have learned how to use it as a weapon. And who says weapons, says politics.

Is the term “clean coal” an oxymoron? That’s a hot question for politicians, the energy industry and environmentalists, alike. While the words seem intuitively clear, the meaning of the term, as well as the feasibility of improving coal’s environmental impact, are in question.

As scientists, Governments and Industry look for viable replacements to our quickly dwindling supply of fossil fuels, attention has again turned to biofuels and the potential they offer. You’ve all no doubt heard of Ethanol, rapeseed and other popular bio-diesel crops, but it is now possible to turn our quickly growing garbage mountains into biofuels.

“Oil is Power!” The oil industry has a massive effect on Global Politics and as demand and oil prices have increased, politicians have been taking extreme measures in securing their countries energy security.

In this issue we will step into the treacherous and complex relationship between the West and the Muslim world. Frankly, there is no other Homeland Security issue of greater importance and none about which there is more disagreement.

Puda Coal Inc., a Chinese provider of coking coal, primarily used in the manufacture of steel products, has recently received provincial approval to consolidate and maximize manufacturing capabilities.

Why is solar depressed in the US, and why isn't Wall Street promoting these companies? There hasn't been a growth story like this to get excited about for decades. Over the last 10 years GE spent $178M furthering their agenda on Capitol Hill, which makes them the largest single corporate lobbying entity. The saying goes, "What's good for Big Oil..."

The global coal industry remains active and Micron Enviro Systems (MENV) announced it has been approved for 12 coal permits, with more expected to come before the end of the year.

Puda Coal, Inc. (PUDC.OB), a high grade metallurgical coking coal supplier in China, reported its 3rd quarter financial results today and the numbers are strong. Revenue hit $74.1 million, an 82% increase over third-quarter 2007’s revenues. Operating income came in at $9.0 million, while net income reached $6.5 million.

Peabody Energy is the world’s largest private-sector coal company, fueling approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and 2 percent of worldwide electricity. Peabody said global demand for U.S. coal continues to rise. Exports are running 44 percent ahead of 2007 and on pace to reach 85 million tons by this year’s end, with continued increases expected in 2009

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below 10,000 today for the first time in four years. The sell-off has been particularly brutal among stocks leveraged to commodities and the global growth story, with most names down over 60% since oil peaked in July, and many hitting multi-year lows.