RET on the block
A Labor and Greens-instigated Senate inquiry into the Abbott government's Direct Action emissions reduction plan will start hearings on Friday, with the fate of the Renewable Energy Target under question.
A lofty goal that sought for 20% of national electricity to come from renewable energy by 2020, it's separate to the Kyoto Protocol commitment of reducing emissions by 5% below 2000 levels by 2020, which was agreed to during the early Rudd government era of late 2007.
The Australian Financial Review reported that the Abbott government was reviewing the RET amid criticism it played an integral part in driving up electricity prices.
"It is understood there is little support within cabinet for keeping the target," the newspaper reported.
Oil-hating militant group
Militant group the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has claimed responsibility for an attack on a tug boat belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company on Saturday.
According to Nigeria's Daily Trust, the captain and engineer were abducted, with the boat having six people aboard at the time.
"The tugboat was coming from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Brass, maybe to load petroleum product at the terminal, when gunmen who were about seven in number launched the attack," a source told the newspaper.
The group has also claimed responsibility for recently attacking a Nigerian military gunboat.
Various reports carry a statement from MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo warning there is more to come.
"Our silence thus far has been strategic and at the right time, we will reduce Nigerian oil production to zero by 2015 and drive off our land all thieving oil companies," he reportedly said.
Manslaughter case advances
Following BP's 2010 oil spill disaster which killed 11 people, former well site managers Robert Kaluza and Donald Vidrine are facing an early June trial on 11 counts of involuntary manslaughter plus one count of violating the Clean Water Act.
According to Reuters, the relevant judge dismissed 11 counts of ship officer's manslaughter on December 10 with prosecutors having until February 10 to appeal that ruling.
Ho Ho - Shell continues post-Christmas sales
Undisclosed sources claim that Royal Dutch Shell aims to sell a $US1 billion stake of the circa $3 billion Houston-to-Houma crude oil pipeline, aka the Ho-Ho system from Texas to Louisiana.
Bloomberg's scoop on this front also named Barclays for involvement in the sales process, with Shell and Barclays refusing to comment.
The pipeline is used to transport crude from the Eagle Ford, Bakken and other shale regions to US Gulf Coast refineries. There are plans to boost capacity by adding more pump stations.
