John Hirjee

Escalating Australian LNG Costs Spur Woodside to Look Abroad

Surging costs in Australia, set to become the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter by 2018, are stoking a drive by Woodside Petroleum Ltd., the nation’s second-biggest oil and gas producer, to expand overseas.

Highest-Paid Workers Driving Shell Off Australian Shores

Escalating costs to build liquefied natural gas plants on land in Australia, where energy workers earn the highest salaries in the world, are driving developers out to sea in search of billions of dollars in savings.

East Timor Claims May Slow Woodside’s LNG Project, Deutsche Says

East Timor’s allegations that Australia engaged in espionage during 2004 talks on a treaty for the Sunrise natural gas field may lead to further delays for a Woodside Petroleum Ltd. project, Deutsche Bank AG said.

Japan's Reactor Crisis May Help Total, Inpex Win Customers for LNG Project

Japan’s projected increase in natural gas demand after the crisis at a nuclear power plant may help Inpex Corp. win customers and improve returns of its proposed Ichthys project in Australia with Total SA.

Woodside’s Chief Coleman Says Considering Selling Stakes in Browse, Pluto

Woodside Petroleum Ltd., Australia’s second-largest oil and gas producer, may sell stakes in its Browse and Pluto liquefied natural gas ventures to help fund the developments as demand rises in Asia.

Santos Rises on Arranging $1.7 Billion Credit Line to Help Fund LNG Plan

Santos Ltd. rose in Sydney trading after arranging a A$2 billion ($1.7 billion) bank-loan facility that will help Australia’s third-largest oil and gas producer fund a project in Queensland state.

Exxon Expects Australia Floating LNG Project Start by ’21

Exxon Mobil Corp. plans to develop the world’s biggest floating liquefied natural gas project off the coast of Western Australia as costs to build onshore plants in the country surge.

Woodside Rises on Speculation Shell Stake Will Be Resolved

Woodside Petroleum Ltd. rose in Sydney amid speculation Australia’s second-biggest oil and gas producer is close to resolving how Royal Dutch Shell Plc will dispose of its remaining stake in the company.

Infigen Energy to Sell German Wind Assets, Scraps Dividends

Infigen Energy , an Australian developer of renewable-energy projects, agreed to sell its German wind-power assets for 154.6 million euros ($222 million) to a European fund that it didn’t identify.

Conoco, Origin Target Year-End Decision on $31 Billion Australian Project

Origin Energy Ltd. , a partner with ConocoPhillips in a A$35 billion ($31 billion) Australian gas venture, said it aims to make a decision to approve the project in December and may discuss collaboration with rivals.

"Coleman recognizes that he's there to grow the company, it's just a question of time."

- John Hirjee on May 28, 2013

Australia

Japan

China

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Asian Stocks Fall as U.S. Data Stokes Fed Exit Concern

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Japan Carriers Resume Dreamliner Flights as 747 Era Ends