oil and gas

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COAL-BED METHANE: THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE - BY MEGAN RODGERS
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Coal-bed methane (“CBM”) is no longer regarded as an obstacle in the coal mining industry. Instead, it is fast becoming known as a commercially viable energy source. The approach to CBM has changed radically over the last decade or so as concerns regarding global warming and increasing coal prices highlight the fact that there is a need for alternative energy sources which are less detrimental to the environment. Research prepared in countries such as the United States, Canada, China, India and Australia have demonstrated that capturing methane and harnessing it into a productive energy source has the ability to dramatically decrease the detrimental effects on the environment. It has been proven that burnt or used CBM is twenty two times less detrimental to the environment than when it is left to escape un-burnt. It also has twenty one times greater heat trapping value when released into the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Based on its environmental footprint it is clear that every opportunity should be taken to remove CBM from the atmosphere and one of the best ways to do this is to use it in energy production.

MINISTERS IN LIMBO - BY LIZEL OBERHOLZER, MEGAN RODGERS
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
On 10 May 2009 the President appointed the new Cabinet. Furthermore he announced that “the Department of Minerals and Energy” would be split into the Department of Mining and the Department of Energy, each with a Minister. Ms Susan Shabangu was appointed as the Minister of Mining and Ms Dipuo Peters as the Minister of Energy. However the powers of these Ministers were not yet defined or transferred as required by the Constitution. This raises the question whether any action taken or decision made, prior to compliance with the Constitution, will be valid.

FINAL DRAFT OF THE ROYALTY BILL - NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY BY LIZEL OBERHOLZER
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Recent fears around decreasing levels of natural oil reserves in the United States have resulted in crude oil prices rocketing to their highest ever recorded levels.

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• Consumer Protection Act
• Proposed Labour Law Amendments
• New Companies Act
• NHI