Peugeot leads in fuel efficiency

Peugeot in Ireland have announced that 1 in every 6 new vehicles sold in Europe emitting less than 120g of CO2/km is a Peugeot. Peugeot offer a range of fuel efficient, low emission vehicles and 80% of Peugeot's diesel range fall into the A or B tax category with road tax of € 104 and € 156 respectively.

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New Multiair Diesel Engine Technology Breakthrough From FIAT

Tech means more power, less fuel, lower emissions

Fiat Group has just launched MultiAir, a fundamental breakthrough in petrol engine design that will dramatically cut fuel consumption, as well as significantly boosting power and torque, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by between 10 and 25 per cent, and up to a 60 per cent reduction in other engine pollutants.

With MultiAir, Fiat has brought together the company’s enviable expertise and technology to make one of the single largest leaps forward for petrol engine design in recent times.

MultiAir Technology benefits:

* Maximum power is increased by up to 10 % thanks to the adoption of a power-orientated mechanical camshaft profile.
* Low RPM torque is improved by up to 15 % through early intake valve closing strategies that maximise the air mass trapped in the cylinders.
* Elimination of pumping losses brings a 10 % reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
* Optimum valve control strategies result in emissions reductions ranging from 40 per cent for unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (HC/CO), and up to a 60 per cent cut in oxides of nitrogen, (NOx).
* Superior dynamic engine response, and enhanced driving pleasure.
* Applicable to all internal combustion engines, regardless of the fuel used.
* Can be adapted for diesel engines to reduce their NOx emissions and make particulate filters significantly more effective.

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Coal Bed Methane - Method to Boost Coal Bed Natural Gas Production

Research sponsored by the US Department of Energy has yielded a way to distinguish between groundwater and the water produced with coalbed natural gas, which could boost CBM production in Montana and Wyoming.

The breakthrough could help regulators ensure that produced water doesn’t contaminate groundwater wells, an aspect of development that has drawn fire from residents and environmental groups.

Researchers at the University of Wyoming used differences in the isotopic carbon-13 to carbon-12 ratio to differentiate between groundwater and produced water.

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Natural Gas Condensate Desulfurization Technology Breakthrough

In the commercial production in China gasoline desulfurization usually uses catalytic oxidization, adsorption, extractive oxidation and hydrogenation.

Southwest Research Institute of Chemical Industry has developed the technology in matter of two years. The total sulfur content in processed condensate is [less than or equal to] 35mg/L. When the sulfur content in condensate reaches [less than or equal to] 45mg/L, copper plate corrosion tests prove that it can reach gasoline application requirements.

Source

Natural Gas Cleaning - New Centrifugal Tech Might Help

Huge underground gas reserves, up to 16% of the total reserves, remain unused. The natural gas in these fields is too contaminated for exploitation. With existing technology, cleaning these fields is much too costly. As a result of research done by Ralph van Wissen MSc these fields may in the future become more profitable. In cooperation with Shell, Van Wissen developed a cleaning technique based on the centrifugal separation of gasses. He further built a prototype that can be scaled up to be used in producing natural gas.

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China's Long West to East Gas Pipeline

China's Milestone West-to-East Pipeline, One of the World's Largest Gas Transmission Projects, Again Turns to GE Oil & Gas Technology

FLORENCE, Italy, Mar 25, 2009 - GE Oil & Gas technology has again been selected for one of the largest gas transmission projects in the world. GE will be the primary supplier of compression equipment for the western section of China's second West-to-East Gas Pipeline. Since 2005, GE has been awarded bids by PetroChina worth over $600 million dollars.

Longer than the Great Wall

The second West-to-East pipeline, will be part of the ongoing natural gas pipeline infrastructure in China that, when completed over the course of the next five to six years, will total approximately 20,000 kilometers. This second pipeline, 8,700 kilometers in length, will be 2,000 kilometers longer than the Great Wall. This monumental pipeline will snake through 13 provinces and autonomous regions, and will play a vital role in supporting the country's energy security and economic development. Existing Chinese natural gas pipelines total 30,000 kilometers in length.

Providing Asia with vital energy infrastructure

This deal marks GE's third major win to support the massive Chinese pipeline network. Total GE orders are expected to be more than $600 million. Previously, the company provided equipment for the expansion of the first West-to-East pipeline project, and for two stations (including the head one) of the second West-to-East pipeline project.

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House Bill 1050 Increase Natural Gas Drilling on Pennsylvania Land

Press release

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 25, 2009 ----The Marcellus Shale Committee, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association issued the following joint statement today regarding the introduction of House Bill 1050 (D. Reed - Indiana) to increase leasing opportunities on state forest land and provide millions of dollars in revenue from that activity to local conservation districts, municipal governments and the Commonwealth.

"Significant natural gas reserves can be found in Pennsylvania's state forest land, and the opportunities it can create for new jobs and new revenue for state and local government and conservation districts is even more significant. This industry is poised to develop these gas reserves responsibly and in cooperation with the state Bureau of Forestry and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Advances in technology, including the development of multiple wells from a single pad and horizontal drilling techniques allow for a far more efficient means of securing natural gas reserves, impacting fewer acres in development, a reduced number of roads to access this single location, fewer gathering pipelines and far less surface disturbance.

"Leasing 130,000 acres of land for three years amounts to less than 20 percent of the state's total forest resources, and will produce an indigenous source of clean energy and provide good-paying jobs to thousands of people. The distribution of funding from leasing and royalty payments among local and state governments and conservation districts ensures that revenue is directed where it can meet the needs of communities and programs that protect the environment.

"This approach to create sustainable, long-term revenue for the Commonwealth through responsible leasing of land is sound and deserves the support of the legislature."

About the Marcellus Shale Committee: Formed in 2008, the Marcellus Shale committee represents the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania on matters pertaining to the acquisition, exploration, drilling, and development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas resource and provides a unified voice before all state, county, and local government or regulatory bodies. The committee, sponsored jointly by the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania, includes independent producers with historical expertise in the Pennsylvania oil and gas fields and national companies dedicated to bringing their industry experience and resources to achieve common goals.

About IOGA-PA: The Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania (IOGA: undefined, undefined, undefined%) is the principal non-profit trade association representing Pennsylvania's Independent oil and natural gas producers, marketers, service companies and related businesses.

About POGAM: The Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association is the non-profit trade association of the Commonwealth's independent oil and gas producers. The association promotes the general welfare of Pennsylvania's crude oil and natural gas exploration and production industry. The association and its members are committed to the economical and environmentally responsible development, production and use of the Commonwealth's crude oil and natural gas resources.

SOURCE Marcellus Shale Committee; IOGA-PA; POGAM

Gas Hydrates - More Natural Gas Than Ever Thought Possible

March 23 saw 24 papers about natural gas hydrates, the frozen methane locked up in frozen deep cold water, at the American Chemical Society’s 237th National Meeting in Salt Lake City.

Known as gas hydrate, it is a frozen form of natural gas that can burst into flame at the touch of a match and show increasing promise as abundant, untapped sources of clean, sustainable energy. Those icy chunks could supplement traditional conventional natural gas sources that will become more expensive, perhaps in short supply and are being used to substitute for coal in electrical power generation and increasingly to fuel cars.

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Exxon Mobil vs Barack Obama - Who Will Win?

The biggest oil company in the world is also the most resistant to the shift to green energy. The White House seems determined to make Exxon Mobil’s life miserable.

What will Exxon do? Will it carry on with its head in the sand policy or will the elephant finally begin to dance?

Excellent and detailed article here

Canada, U.S. to Co-ordinate Carbon Reduction and CO2 Sequestration Projects

Canada and the United States will ensure there is co-ordination and no duplication in $7 billion worth of technology projects — $3.5 billion on each side of the border — aimed at reducing carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants and the Alberta oilsands, Environment Minister Jim Prentice said Tuesday.

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Speeches Like These Make People Suspicious of Oil & Gas Industries

Read this article on NYT - "Michele Bachmann Seeks ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Opposition to Cap-and-Trade"...and then read the comments at the end of the article.

These types of irresponsible speeches are what are making people suspicious of the real agenda of the oil and gas industry worldwide. It makes people wonder whether or not those at the helm of these industries are human beings themselves!

The Oil & Gas industry should start re-inventing itself - the faster the better - and show to the world that they care for more than money

Coal power plant Tri-State to host solar augmentation study

With a goal of increasing power plant efficiency while incorporating renewable technologies, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has entered into an agreement with the Electric Power Research Institute to host a case study that is aimed at helping electric utilities add solar energy to fossil-fueled generating stations.

Tri-State’s 245-megawatt Escalante Station – a coal-based power plant located in Prewitt, N.M. – has been identified as the host facility for the study. The process to be studied involves introducing steam generated by a solar thermal field to the conventional power plant’s steam cycle to offset some of the fuel required to generate electricity.

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Energy Quest to Construct Heavy Crude Oil Upgrader

Energy Quest, Inc., an emerging leader in alternative energy, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, WaveChem, Inc. (WCI) has signed an agreement with Northern Alberta Oil Ltd, (NAOL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Deep Well Oil and Gas, Inc., to construct a 5,000 barrels per day heavy crude oil upgrader. The upgrader will convert Heavy Crude Oil feed-stock to 32 API light oil.

The Upgrader technology uses an electromagnetic field to align long chain hydrocarbon molecule chains, which are then subjected to ultrasonic energy waves. This process creates cavitation bubbles within crude oil, heavy oil, tank bottoms, or bitumen. With WaveChem upgrader technology, the bubbles collapse at great temperature and pressure. The collapse of these bubbles causes the breaking of the long chain hydrocarbon molecules WITHOUT the need for external sources of heat and pressure used in current conventional processes. However, the overall process operates at lower temperatures and pressures meaning that energy consumption is nominal and operating costs and maintenance costs are significantly reduced in comparison to other methods.

More from the news release here

Carbonscape Makes Biomass Coal for CCS and Fuel

A new machine dubbed the "Black Phantom" can turn biomass into manmade coal.

Carbonscape, a New Zealand-based start-up, describes its invention as an industrial-sized microwave that can cook plant waste, wood waste, and "even sewage" into coal.

Carbonscape also claims that the machine captures and stores more carbon than the amount of carbon generated by the electricity needed to power it for the process.

Why would anyone want to make more coal when humans are desperately trying to get out from under the carbon dioxide mess we've been making since the Industrial Revolution?

The invention combines two popular environmental efforts: using biochar for carbon capture and storage (CCS), and developing alternative fuel sources from biomass.

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Toyota Plans Car with Seaweed-based Plastic

Toyota will be showcasing a new plug-in hybrid concept car called 1/X, made with seaweed, at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show. Toyota is calling their newly developed plastic “Ecological Plastic” (EP), and the company is planning to increase use of plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics in more of its future models. The 1/X is a concept car that redefines a car’s basic structure and manufacturing process, reducing the amount of CO2 emissions and consumption of resources.

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Firefighting Nozzle Invention Against Oil Fires That Saved Lives

Howard G. Freeman began his lifelong work as an inventor and entrepreneur, earning many patents along the way. During World War II, he invented the Waterfog nozzle, which made it possible to fight oil fires on ships by creating a mist of seawater. The invention is credited with saving dozens of ships and thousands of lives. When the Waterfog nozzle proved ineffective against the gasoline fires caused by kamikaze aircraft crashing onto the decks of aircraft carriers, Freeman invented a nozzle that could create a fog of fire-fighting foam. That technology later became standard equipment on crash trucks used to fight aircraft fires at airports, saving many more lives. In 1954, Freemen founded Jamesbury Corp. in Worcester to manufacture a high-performance ball valve he invented. The company would become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of valves.

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Why Isn't Reva the Electric Car Winning Against Gasoline Cars?

Why isn't India's other indigenous automotive invention taking the world by storm? The Reva is the world's most successful electric vehicle. Manufactured on the outskirts of the south Indian city of Bangalore, it is as popular there as it is on the streets of London. Cumulatively it has been driven a combined 55 million kilometers in 20 major cities around the world.

But despite patented technologies, government subsidies, a groundswell of interest in electric vehicles and innovative marketing practices, the Reva is unlikely to dent the global automobile market with as much force as the Nano.

That's because the environmentally friendly, near-silent plug-in Reva costs three times the Nano and holds only a limited appeal to cash- and credit-strapped first-time car buyers.

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Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Car Turns 100!

Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles that are becoming more popular on our roadways these days are not as new a technology as people might think. If you think this kind of tech is only a few decades old, you’ll be surprised to find out that the first patent for such a mode of transportation was granted over one century ago this week.

Henri Pieper, inventor and gunmaker from Belgium, was actually granted a US patent for his invention of a car that uses electricity and gasoline as a method of propulsion on March 2nd, 1909.

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DuPont™ Zytel® 610 Nylon Resin Debuts in Radiator End Tank Program, Jointly Developed With DuPont Engineering Polymers, DENSO

Press release

Nagoya, Japan March 9, 2009 -– The plant-derived DuPont™ Zytel® 610 nylon resin that debuts on a new automotive radiator end tank from DENSO Corp. illustrates the benefits of close collaboration throughout the value chain and marks the first use of DuPont renewably sourced plastic in mechanical components exposed to the hot, chemically aggressive underhood environment.

“The strategy of collaborating throughout the value chain is critical when cost effectively bringing high-value solutions to the market,” said Chris Murphy, global accounts director – DuPont Engineering Polymers. “This development truly illustrates a great way to get from today to tomorrow.”

In this case, DENSO engineering and DuPont R&D embarked on development of a new material for use in a higher performance radiator end tank that meets auto manufacturers’ needs for sustainable solutions. The new material, developed jointly by DENSO and DuPont in a proprietary process, contains 40 percent renewable content by weight derived from the castor bean plant, and meets requirements for exceptional heat resistance, durability and road salt resistance – attributes DENSO says were difficult to deliver with many resins containing a high percentage of plant-derived ingredients.

Production of the part for the global vehicle market begins this spring and DENSO has announced intentions to use the material in a wide range of products to reduce use of limited oil resources and reduce CO2 emissions in its processes to help prevent global warming.

“Today’s business climate – with demands for innovation in the face of intense cost pressures – is driving the engineering community to rethink the design and manufacture of automotive components and systems,” said Patrick Ferronato, global director, development and marketing -- DuPont Automotive Performance Materials. “It’s challenging us all to use design and engineering strengths to the fullest and to drive ‘engineering strategy’ beyond procurement price – at the end of the day, we must be cost-neutral at best, and collaboration for innovation is our best strategy to deliver economically and environmentally sustainable solutions.”

Shared goals, objectives and clear timelines were essential elements in this program, according to Masatoshi Ikeda, global account manager of Denso Group, DuPont Engineering Polymers. “DENSO and DuPont share a commitment to delivering innovation that not only improves our environmental footprint, but also delivers benefits through improved performance, cost control and sustainability.”

DuPont has introduced a number of renewably sourced products that are made, in whole or in part, from renewable agricultural feedstocks such as corn, soybeans, castor beans, sugar cane and wheat, rather than petroleum to help industry reduce dependence on depleteable petroleum-based products. Among the nine high-performance product families are: DuPont™ Sorona® polymer, DuPont™ Sorona® EP thermoplastic polymer, DuPont™ Hytrel® RS thermoplastic elastomer and DuPont™ Zytel® long chain polyamides.

DuPont Automotive offers more than 100 products to the global automotive industry and through its global application development network is committed to delivering cost-effective solutions to help reduce vehicle weight for better fuel economy and CO2 emission reductions, to integrate part functionality to simplify assembly and eliminate cost; and help bring invention to market fast, better and more cost-effectively.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Note to the editor: Please do not assign a reader service number to your article using information in this release. Instead, please direct your readers to plastics.dupont.com or invite them to call DuPont at 800-441-0575.
High resolution images are available at automotive.dupont.com or plastics.dupont.com
The DuPont Oval Logo, The miracles of science(tm), DuPont(tm), Hytrel®, Sorona® and Zytel® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

Additional information can be found at:

* DuPont Plastics Home Page: http://www2.dupont.com/Plastics/en_US/index.html
* DuPont Automotive Home Page: http://www2.dupont.com/Automotive/en_US/
* Renewably Sourced Materials from DuPont: http://www2.dupont.com/Plastics/en_US/Uses_Applications/renewably_sourced/
* DuPont Sustainable Solutions:
http://www2.dupont.com/Sustainability/en_US/
* DuPont Zytel® Nylon Resin:

http://www2.dupont.com/Plastics/en_US/Products/Zytel/Zytel.html or http://www2.dupont.com/Automotive/en_US/products_services/engineeringPlastics/zytelNylon.html

Petrostar Petroleum Reaches Commercial Milestone With DHT & ETH Technology Sale

Press release

Petrostar Petroleum Corporation is pleased to announce that Oilsands Quest Inc. of Calgary, AB, has purchased a DHT2C unit for their Axe Lake, SK doubling the number of units at their facility. The DHT technology is assisting Oilsands Quest in its development of the Province of Saskatchewan's emerging oil sands industry. Oilsands is a leader in the establishment of the Province of Saskatchewan's emerging oil sands industry, with major acreage permits and licenses in both Saskatchewan and Alberta. Their new DHT configuration (DHT2C) will address the specific needs required by Oilsands Quest, in particular their facility requires a DHT operating at 200-250 meters and with greater length heating rods and housing. In addition, the new unit will be a lighter skid mounted with telescoping mast and hydraulic controls making it a compact unit. This will enable the unit to be air lifted via helicopter providing access to additional locations over the large acreage of the project.

As previously announced in September 2008 the Company entered into a rental agreement with Oilsands Quest whereby Oilsands would test Petrostar's DHT (Down Hole Tool-DHT2) at their Northern Axe Lake, SK facility. The agreement has been extended an additional 3 months to May 2009 from the original September agreement

DHT & ETH Technology Review

The Down Hole Tool (DHT) is a system and method for generating controlled underground heat/steam and pressure. Specifically, the present invention relates to an electrical steam/heat generation system that enables efficient production of down-hole heating and steam production without the typical heat and pressure loss of traditional surface steam generation equipment. In addition to the DHT model for enhanced production deployment the Company will proceed with an additional model to address the waxing problem experienced in light oil production. A prototype is expected to be available for fieldtesting within the next 30 days.

The Electric Tank Heater (ETH) unit is capable of replacing current burner tube tank heating devices and has a zero CO2 emission signature, as well as being capable of reducing operating costs by using power generated from top drive motors and eliminating the fuel requirements of the burner units. Full CSA mass approvals are anticipated in April 2009, which will make the units available for installation at the manufacturing level as the alternative to current burner tube installations. More information on the DHT and its storage tank ETH is available on the Company website at www.petrostarpetroleum.ca.

For more information, please contact
Petrostar Petroleum Corporation
604-662-3005, ext. 105
thorgauti@petrostarpetroleum.ca
www.petrostarpetroleum.ca

Petroleum Industry Class in Texas

News release

Fundamentals of the Petroleum Industry

Looking to go beyond textbook terminology and really understand the complexities of one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic industries?

Then join EMI for this definitive petroleum industry training program covering everything from exploration to the pump.

April 22-23, 2009 - Houston, TX
Presented by the Energy Management Institute

You'll learn from one of the premier experts in the oil industry as you examine the global side of the industry and the impact of OPEC, foreign economies, and the future of oil production.

You'll also learn about the trading of energy commodities on the NYMEX, ICE and the state of the industry today. Plus you'll get a glimpse into the future fuels that will transform the industry.

Other topics covered include:

Crude Oil: Exploration to production
Refining: The process from basic distillation to complex hydro-cracking.
Pipeline transports and U.S. spot markets.
Wholesale markets and exchanges.
The retail landscape and the players, trends, brand value, margins and pricing components that make up a street price in any given market.

Get course details here.

EMI experts instruct using current data, real-life examples and practical experience.

All EMI programs are CPE-approved.

Energy Management Institute, 1324 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
Email: info@energyinstitution.org Phone: (888) 871-1207
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