Energy Resources

While violence is likely to persist next year in the oil-rich Niger Delta, Africa's largest energy producer capped 2008 with the capture of a leading member of the country's most notorious militant group.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The noted Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes once wrote, “Poor Mexico, so far from God, so close to the United States.” Substitute “Central Asia” for “Mexico” and “Russia” for the “United States,” and one begins to have an idea of the energy exports problems facing Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. For the three easternmost former Soviet “Stan” republics, 2008 has been a year of stress and possibility. Given their geographic isolation, despite their independence, all three nations have been forced to acknowledge the reality of Russia’s ongoing regional influence, despite the collapse of communism in 1991.

Once firmly atop the list of Africa's top oil producers, Nigeria slipped behind Angola -- albeit temporarily -- during the course of 2008, while other African countries received even more attention from eager foreign investors like China.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Iranian and Pakistani officials are meeting in Islamabad to discuss cooperation on energy.

GLASGOW, Scotland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A new multimillion-dollar award offered by the Scottish Ministry is expected to encourage energy research.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The American Wind Energy Association recapped the U.S. wind industry's progress in 2008.

PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher has made great strides recently in the field of fuel cell research.

MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Russian gas monopoly Gazprom said Wednesday it would cut gas supplies Jan. 1 if Ukraine did not settle its $2 billion debt by the end of the day.

IEA sees $100 oil by 2010; Indonesia's oil and gas revenue is up; Turkey, Chevron discuss Black Sea oil.

NEW DELHI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Videsh Ltd., a branch of the Indian state oil company, closed a deal Wednesday to buy British oil firm Imperial Energy after receiving shareholder consent.

MOURA, Portugal, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Spanish renewable energy company Acciona Energy announced its new solar plant in Moura, Portugal, is operational.

DERBY, England, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Rolls-Royce, the English power system developer, announced it was awarded a compressor contract for the Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Europe.

NEW DELHI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- India's Suzlon announced it has increased its stake in Germany's REpower Systems.

TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Advisers to Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani were in Tehran Wednesday to discuss oil on deferred payments and the so-called Peace Pipeline.

MIAMI, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Latin America's petroleum-producing nations had their dreams of windfall riches dashed when record-high oil prices in 2008 plummeted to their current levels.