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April 29, 2005

Can You Explain Your Business?

Think it rare that business owners, government workers or agencies have difficulty explaining their business, work or purpose? Think again!

(PRWEB) April 29, 2005 -- Can you explain your business to others? If not, redefine your mission and vision statements says leadership trainer Stan Hakes.

Think it rare that business owners, government workers, or agencies have difficulty explaining their business, work, or purpose? Think again!

"Mission and vision statements are a critical part of leadership training" says Stan Hakes, President of Illuminative Concepts in southern California, "and a major component of a business management system. It is essential for a single proprietor, small business or government agency - all need to understand, define or perhaps update their mission and vision statements."

"One client I worked with said she felt scattered explaining her business to people" Hakes said. "After writing her mission and vision statements she began to focus; she dropped six or seven previously used statements on her business and narrowed them to three or four key areas that fit together."

The significance plays out in Fortune 500 companies as well. A Wall Street Journal article reported ona study conducted by Stanford University which showed 18 visionary companies who used mission and vision statements as the basis for their goals and objectives outperformed a control group of companies by a factor of six to one, based on earnings.

A survey referenced in Jay Levinson's "Guerrilla Marketing" shows the number one reason for any venture's failure is not competition, the trade, recession, a failure of creativity or a shortage of ideas. It's the leader, the honcho, the chief, the top banana. A whopping 63% report that top management at their companies do not have a clear strategic vision.

"Mission and vision statements help you and others to clearly see where you want to take your business or product and lay the foundation for strategic actions that can turn your business or product ideas and dreams into reality" says Don Midgett, author of "Mission and Vision Statements: Your Path To A Successful Business Future."

About Mission and Vision Statements:
Mission and Vision Statements: Your Path To A Successful Business Future, a workshop and seminar in one easy to use e-book, available for $49.97 in pdf format at www.missionvisionstatement.com

About the GenesisGroup:
For twenty years the GenesisGroup has provided guidance and training to businesses and leaders representing all types of industries. For more information, visit www.missionvisionstatement.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:08 AM | Comments (0)

Heartland Oil & Gas Rated 'Speculative/3' By Investrend Research Analyst David G. Tildesley, CFA, Citing Valuable Properties

Heartland Oil & Gas (OTCBB: HOGC - News) has been rated "Speculative/3" by Investrend Research analyst David G. Tildesley, CFA, in a Benchmark research report, saying the company "has 853,000 acres of undeveloped land located near gathering pipelines, which were valued at $ 35.6 million at the end of 2004."

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 29, 2005 -- Investrend Research Syndicate: Heartland Oil & Gas (OTCBB: HOGC - News) has been rated "Speculative/3" by Investrend Research analyst David G. Tildesley, CFA, in a Benchmark research report, saying the company "has 853,000 acres of undeveloped land located near gathering pipelines, which were valued at $ 35.6 million at the end of 2004."

The analyst stated:
"Heartland Oil & Gas Inc. is an early stage exploration company involved in the drilling for Coal Bed Methane in the Forest City Basin of Kansas. The future value of the company will be determined by the magnitude of its ultimate exploration success over the next few years.

"Heartland has drilled 94 wells including 77 Coal Bed Methane Wells in eight pilots that are currently dewatering or venting gas. During 2005, Heartland will continue to evaluate the coal bed methane on its properties. It is anticipated that 15 wells will be completed and 16 new wells will be drilled. The total cost is estimated to be $ 3.1 million, which is well covered by available cash.

"The outcome of the drilling program is as yet unknown. But the company has a strong and experienced management team in place.

"While the shares are speculative, Heartland does have a strong balance sheet with no long-term debt liability as well as more than sufficient cash to carry it through 2005 and beyond. The shares are now trading near their 52-week low."

The full report, including important disclosures and disclaimers, is at http://www.investrendresearch.com and at the company's InvestorPower page at http://www.investrend.com/company/list.asp?sPathParam=yes and investors are advised to read those disclosures carefully before trading in the equities of any enrolled company.

The analyst's credentials are at http://www.investrend.com/articles/secondlevel.asp?level=238

Heartland is enrolled in Investrend Research's pioneering professional research program, which facilitates independent analysts to provide financial coverage for shareholders in companies that otherwise, would have little or no analyst following. Enrollment fees for Benchmark basic coverage are $21,800 and the fees were paid by the company. Analysts are paid in advance of initial reports by Investrend Research to eliminate pecuniary interest, and neither the analyst nor principals of Investrend Research may own or trade in the stocks of companies under coverage.

Anyone interested in receiving alerts regarding Heartland Oil & Gas research should email e-mail protected from spam bots with "HOGC" in the subject line.

Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. is a featured Company on NaturalGasStocks.com

For More Information: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HOGC/NewsReleases.asp

Contact:
Heartland Oil & Gas Corp.
Richard Coglon, 604-693-0177,
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
Website. http://www.heartlandoilandgas.com
or
Investrend Research Div.,
R. Hempel, 718-896-5060,
email: e-mail protected from spam bots.
Web site: www.investrendresearch.com

Source: Heartland Oil & Gas Corp.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:08 AM | Comments (0)

Silver Star Acquires Two More Sections of Joarcam Lands

Silver Star Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSE) today is pleased to announce that the Company has increased and doubled its land holdings in the "core" Joarcam Project area

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 29, 2005 -- Silver Star Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSE) today is pleased to announce that the Company has increased and doubled its land holdings in the "core" Joarcam Project area. Silver Star has now acquired an additional two sections that are on trend to producing Viking sands, south of the current lease holdings. The two newly acquired full sections, if fully developed, would enable Silver Star the ability of drilling up to 32 additional wells.

The acquisition is from a private Alberta company. The purchase price for the two sections priced at $250,000 for the 70% working interest will be subject to the issuance of the equivalent value in Company common shares for the asset purchase.

The two sections are on trend to the Company's existing production holdings and represent an extension of the Viking sand that is currently in production from the 13-27 well since March 1, 2005. The Company has announced production results for the first 29 days, which was 1,414 barrels with an average daily production rate of 49 barrels per day. April production will be announced when the full month's production figures are received from the operator.

The long-life reserves in the Viking allow wells to be in commercial production for 20 years. Currently, the 38-degree API light oil at Joarcam is priced at $54.97 per barrel ($67.95 CDN). The prospect lands are located about 25 miles southeast of Edmonton, Alberta and there is year-round access to the property.

About Silver Star Energy, Inc.
The Company is committed to the exploration and extensive development of oil and natural gas reserves throughout western North America. Company management is focused on an acquisition program targeting high quality, low risk prospects provided via key strategic alliance partnerships.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for statements of historical fact, the information presented herein constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to acquire and develop specific projects, the ability to fund operations and changes in consumer and business consumption habits and other factors over which Silver Star Energy, Inc. has little or no control.

Silver Star Energy, Inc.
Robert McIntosh-President

To find out more about Silver Star Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSE), visit our website at www.silverstarenergy.com.

Silver Star Energy Inc. is Featured Company on NaturalGasStocks.com

For full details, click here: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/SVSE/NewsReleases.asp

Press Release Source: Silver Star Energy, Inc.

Silver Star Energy, Inc.
Investor Information:
1-888-803-SVSE (7873)
or
Investrend Research
R. Hempel, 718-896-5060
e-mail protected from spam bots
http://www.investrendresearch.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:07 AM | Comments (0)

Heartland Oil and Gas Provides Operational Update

Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. is continuing to focus its efforts on the Lancaster pilot project, located to the south near Ottawa, Kansas.

Vancouver (PRWEB) April 29, 2005 -- Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. (OTCBB: HOGC) ("the Company") is continuing to focus its efforts on the Lancaster pilot project, located to the south near Ottawa, Kansas. Management has been successful in cutting costs and improving the per well performance from when it had first acquired approximately 750,000 acres of CBM leases from Evergreen in October, 2004. Changes in the completion programs implemented by Heartland over the past 5 months at Lancaster have increased production from an average of 3 to 5 mcfpd to 15 to 20 mcfpd and reduced costs by some 40% per well.

Lancaster production continues to improve on the original nine wells drilled on 80 acre spacing. The company is collecting detailed pressure and production data from isolated coal intervals in seven new 40 acre infill wells, and will start accelerating dewatering when data collection is complete. The company plans to monitor progress, evaluate completion techniques and the impact of 40 acre downspacing, and evaluate pipeline alternatives to see if economic viability can be achieved.

The wells at Lancaster continue to show signs of improvement, but are still just below our economic threshold. Although there is no guarantee the rate will continue to increase, the Company plans to continue to monitor the per well averages.

The Company had earlier implemented a revised completion program on two of its northern areas. The results of the completions did not result in any sustainable or large increase in production from the wells tested. Before implementing a revised completion or drill program on its Northern acreage, the Company has determined that it is best to focus its efforts on the Southern Acreage and if successful, implement some of the same lower cost and seemingly more effective completion procedures on its Northern acreage. Accordingly, the Company will be shutting in its original Engleke pilot, located near Holton, Kansas, which to date has failed to produce economic quantities of gas. The BTA pilot, acquired from Evergreen Resources during the last quarter of 2004, will also be shut in due to noncommercial production. Both pilots produce gas, but despite extensive dewatering efforts, have failed to show the improvements in gas rate needed to justify pipeline investment and hookup.

In proceeding with the development of its Kansas operations, management has spent less than $5 million of its cash since closing the Forest City basin transaction in October, 2004. Currently the company is debt free and has nearly $10 million cash and is monitoring its current projects as well as other opportunities in order to create shareholder value.

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements", as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the prospective nature of the Company's Coal Bed Methane assets as described above and specifically the Lancaster pilot project, Heartland's drilling and completion of its ongoing Coal Bed Methane drilling program, the costs associated therewith and any potential future production from the Company's Lancaster pilot project.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with oil and gas exploration and unforeseen difficulties which may arise during the Company's drilling and de-watering efforts noted herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance those beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the 2004 fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Heartland Oil & Gas Corp.
Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. is a featured Company on NaturalGasStocks.com

For further information contact:
Investor Relations at Heartland Oil and Gas Corp.,
1-866-693-5500
e-mail protected from spam bots (HOGC)

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:06 AM | Comments (0)

COGNET Selected as Midwest VAR for GTI Upgrade Program

COGNET GIS Consulting firm was selected as Midwest VAR for Graphic Technologies, Inc. upgrade program.

Livonia, MI (PRWEB) April 29, 2005 -- The COGNET Group, a Livonia Michigan based IT and GIS Consulting firm, in partnership with Graphic Technologies, Inc., a Madison, Alabama GIS software product development company, announce a new program designed to encourage companies to try their GIS Viewer application. GTViewer is a mobile and desktop viewer in a product suite with Pocket PC and web server versions.

As a leading North American Value Added Reseller (VAR), COGNET will provide front line support, product customization and data conversion services. “We are very excited about this program,” commented Larry Cosgrove, GIS Practice Leader at COGNET. “GTI has built an industry leading GIS application that complements our consulting practice.”

Graphic Technologies' competitive upgrade offer allows users of other viewing tools to install and use GTViewer for a one-year maintenance fee of only $75 per copy. The software, normally priced starting at $550 per license, is free. A company having 10 or more licensed copies of FieldSmart*, ArcView*, ArcPAD*, Field View*, G/Mobile*, Map Viewer* or Field Information Server* can upgrade to GTViewer for a fee of $75 per license. Evaluation copies of the product can be downloaded at www.cognetgis.com.

“After two years of 200% growth, we have gained confidence from our customers to challenge all the major viewing products with a one-for-one swap,” said Mike Stokes, president of GTI. “The Upgrade Challenge program will remove the barrier of sunk costs and allow utility companies to gain the benefits of a world-class viewer.”

The COGNET Group is one of the Midwest’s fastest growing Geospatial Information Technology consulting firms. Since 1997, CognetGIS consultants have been providing the Geospatial marketplace with value added product sales, application development, and GIS support consulting. They can be found on the web at: www.cognetgis.com.

Graphic Technologies, Inc. is a Madison Alabama software development company specializing in Geospatial Information Systems and Solutions. The can be found on the web at www.gti-us.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:06 AM | Comments (0)

April 28, 2005

QSI Offers Panel-Mount Version of the QTERM-G55 — Rugged Graphic Operator Interface

QSI Corporation, manufacturer of rugged operator interface terminals, announces the panel-mount version of the popular QTERM-G55 human-machine interface (HMI). The QTERM-G55 is a rugged, panel-mount HMI terminal using graphics and a keypad to interface with the user.

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) April 28, 2005 -- QSI Corporation, manufacturer of rugged operator interface terminals, announces the panel-mount version of the popular QTERM-G55 human-machine interface (HMI). The panel-mount QTERM-G55 is the newest addition to QSI's family of award-winning Qlarity™ graphic terminals and is now available.

The QTERM-G55 is a rugged, panel-mount HMI terminal using graphics and a keypad to interface with the user. The terminal can be equipped with two EIA-232, -422 or -485 serial ports; Ethernet 10Base-T or a Power-over-Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af) interface. The QTERM-G55 has a 320x240 pixel, color LCD display measuring 96 mm (3.8") diagonal. (optional grayscale display available) and is viewable in most lighting conditions. Other industrial-grade features include 24-key or 40-key membrane / steel snap dome keypad with LEDs; 2 Mbytes flash / 16 Mbytes SDRAM; programmable speaker and real-time clock. The QTERM-G55 operator interface is ruggedized for use in harsh industrial environments (NEMA-4 pending, CE certified housing). The panel-mount terminal has an overmolded rubber boot, providing a superior seal, around an ABS polycarbonate plastic case. Terminal housing is available in blue, black or gray. The QTERM-G55 can be customized to be a part of your product with a custom key legend and company logo.

The QTERM-G55 operator interface uses an object-based graphic terminal programming language called Qlarity™ (pronounced Clarity). Designing a simple control panel interface or a complete stand-alone application has never been easier. The ability to use pre-defined objects, edit existing objects or author your own objects provides flexibility to the novice and expert alike. Qlarity Foundry™, a PC-based design tool, provides a Windows® environment for screen creation, application simulation, debugging and downloading to the QTERM-G55.

About QSI Corporation
Established in 1983, QSI Corporation is a manufacturer of rugged handheld, panel-mount and pedestal-mount terminals for industrial OEMs and commercial vehicle systems integrators. QSI’s human machine interface (HMI) and mobile data terminal (MDT) products include character and graphic terminals that are programmable, customizable, CE certified, and NEMA 4/12/13 rated. Numerous interfaces are available, including EIA-232, EIA-422, EIA-485, J1708, Ethernet and Power-over-Ethernet. Custom or semi-custom terminals withstand high levels of shock, vibration, humidity, and other environmental parameters. All QSI Corporation products are manufactured in the USA at the company's headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Graphic images of the QTERM-G55 can be downloaded from http://press.qsicorp.com. A QTERM-G55 data sheet can be downloaded at http://www.qsicorp.com/pdfs/data_sheets/qterm-g55-ds.pdf.

For more information contact:
QSI Corporation
801-466-8770
Fax 801-466-8792
Email e-mail protected from spam bots
www.qsicorp.com or www.qlarity.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

IPA SBRB Study: Two-Thirds of Small Businesses Feeling Impact of Higher Fuel Costs; Owners Split about Passing on Increases to Customers

A majority of small businesses are feeling the heat of higher fuel costs according to the latest International Profit Associates Small Business Research Board (IPA SBRB) poll. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the small businesses responding to the nationwide IPA SBRB poll said they are feeling the impact of rising fuel costs.

Buffalo Grove, IL (PRWEB) April 28, 2005 -- A majority of small businesses are feeling the heat of higher fuel costs according to the latest International Profit Associates Small Business Research Board (IPA SBRB) poll. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the small businesses responding to the nationwide IPA SBRB poll said they are feeling the impact of rising fuel costs.

However, small business owners and managers are split on whether to pass on the increase to their customers with 48% saying they are passing on part or all of the increase and 52% indicating they are not, according to the IPA SBRB poll. This means about one-third of all those surveyed say they are passing on higher fuels costs to their customers.

A variety of comments from the small business owners surveyed indicate that they are aware of the impact of increasing fuel costs and looking for ways to deal with the issue. Some businesses are passing on at least part of the increase by adjusting the cost of service or materials or adding a specific fuel surcharge. Some businesses say that tight competition prevents them from passing on the increases. One of the poll participants, a business with a truck fleet, is replacing trucks with more fuel efficient models. Many owners indicated that for the present time they are absorbing the increased costs.

“Small business owners and managers are caught in an environment where costs are escalating and margins are being squeezed,” said Gregg Steinberg, President of International Profit Associates, the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America. “As we celebrate National Small Business Week, small businesses need to proactively implement variable pricing strategies to maximize both revenue generation and profit potential.”

The International Profit Associates Small Business Research Board ascertains the opinions of small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may impact their operations.

Participants in the poll provide feedback on significant issues and allow for real-time insight into the state of small businesses nationwide. The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. More than 220 small businesses owners and senior managers participated in this IPA SBRB poll. The IPA SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted via phone and email. The poll was structured and supervised through an independent resource.

The latest information about the IPA Small Business Research Board can be found at www.ipasbrb.com.

International Profit Associates, Inc. ( IPA ) is the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America. IPA and its more than 1,800 professionals offer a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper regardless of the economic cycle. IPA either provides directly or through its affiliated companies a comprehensive array of business advisory services, tax and estate planning services or merger, acquisition and other financial advisory services in the United States and Canada.

More information about IPA can be found at www.ipa-iba.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

PatentCafe Adds Patent Portfolio Management Tool to its Intellectual Property Management Solution; IBM isn’t the Only Company that Can Profit from Patent Licensing

SME to Fortune 100 companies without IBM’s licensing infrastructure can create their own patent licensing opportunities using PatentCafe's ICO Portfolio Manager solution.

Yuba City, CA (PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- PatentCafe has introduced ICO™ Portfolio Manager, the high value add-on module for the company’s ICO™ Suite of patent research and intellectual property management solutions for enterprise (http://www.IAMcafe.com).

IBM’s licensing efforts generate nearly $2 B annually. With ICO™ Portfolio Manager SME to Fortune 100 companies without IBM’s licensing infrastructure can create their own patent licensing opportunities.

“Nokia licenses from Acacia Technologies”; “Samsung licenses from Universal Display”; “Borland licenses from Certicom”; “Lexar Media Inc., I-O Data Device and GoVideo license from Microsoft”. Such headlines clearly echo the dramatic rise in patent licensing, a necessity in today’s competitive technology environment.

Patent licensing leverages past R&D investment to boost bottom line profits and grow shareholder value. Licensing is also used as a defensive measure to mitigate the risks and expense of patent infringement litigation.

ICO™ Portfolio Manager is the first patent portfolio management solution that applies advanced linguistic data mining capability of the ICO semantic patent search engine to a company’s entire patent portfolio. The module helps patent attorneys, corporate counsel and IP managers fully exploit their company's patent assets by helping identify new licensees, mitigate litigation risk, and reduce duplicate R&D costs.

“For those who identify prospective licensees first, there are fortunes to be made. It sounds trite, but Fortune 500 portfolio managers agree.” PatentCafe’s CEO, Andy Gibbs says “A couple of Fortune 100 portfolios ‘go live’ in next week”.

After a one-time setup process, a company’s portfolio is internally searchable enterprise-wide against more than 21 million patent documents in PatentCafe’s international patent data center. Thereafter, an authorized company representative can add or remove patents from their portfolio through an easy browser interface.

Using LSA’s natural language search capabilities, licensees can simply copy and paste the full text of a competitor’s product description into the search box, and identify the most closely related patents the competitor may be infringing. “No other patent management solution in the world delivers that capability” says Gibbs.

“Stick licensing”, or asserting a patent against a competitor in order to open the door to licensing negotiations, forces a prospective licensee to weigh the costs of licensing against the more expensive alternative, infringement litigation.

“Carrot licensing” requires the licensor to identify potential “friendly” licensees, and making an offer to license one or more patents that will bring future value to the licensee – the “carrot”.

ICO™ Portfolio Manager makes short work of winnowing huge portfolios down to the bundle of patents that a licensee would consider valuable to their business.

Literally, in minutes rather than weeks or months, the module’s LSA technology can group related patents from portfolios as large as IBM’s (nearly 40,000 patents), increasing the license value by identifying long-forgotten or obscure patents sitting at the bottom of the portfolio. PatentCafe launched the free Open Source Software Patent Search Engine with IBM’s 500 free OSS patents in early 2005.

Adding standard alerting functions to ICO Portfolio Manager allows companies to increase cross-licensing of their existing patents across their divisions and subsidiaries, something that makes CFOs happy.

The alert feature can boost corporate revenue, while significantly reducing duplicate R&D activities in facilities unaware that the parent corporation already has patented technology they can exploit. Internal cross-licensing can also lead to faster time to market, while reducing the chance of infringement.

About PatentCafe®
PatentCafe is a leading provider of patent research tools and intellectual property management solutions.

The company’s ICO™ Suite of enterprise IP management solutions is used by legal and business professionals worldwide to transform patent and technical data into actionable business information.

ICO™ solutions deliver the next generation data mining and analyzing technology for improved patent quality, superior competitive intelligence, licensing revenue optimization, and corporate governance compliance.

PatentCafe also publishes IPFrontline™ Intellectual Property and Technology Magazine.

www.IAMCafe.com - Patent Search Engine and Management Solution for Enterprise

www.IPFrontline.com - Intellectual Property & Technology Magazine

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Andy Gibbs
Chief Executive Officer
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
Assistant: 530-671-0200 Ext. 203

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:42 AM | Comments (0)

TAITRA to Host Taiwan Nanotechnology & Business Opportunity Seminar in Anaheim, Calif.

TAITRA, the largest trade promotion organization in Taiwan, will host the Taiwan Nanotechnology & Business Opportunity Seminar at the 2005 NSTI Nano Tech. The seminar will take place May 9 at the Marriot Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

Santa Clara, CA (PRWEB via NSTI) April 27, 2005 -- TAITRA, the largest trade promotion organization in Taiwan, will host the Taiwan Nanotechnology & Business Opportunity Seminar at the 2005 NSTI Nano Tech on May 9th to introduce the development of Nano Technology in Taiwan (www.nanotech2005.com) and its latest event - Taiwan Nanotech Week, September 21 - 25, 2005.

The Taiwan Nanotechnology & Business Opportunity Seminar will be held at 1:30 p.m. on May 9th at the Gold Key Room #2, Marriott Hotel Anaheim. The seminar will feature keynote speeches on Business Opportunities of Nanotechnology in Taiwan addressed by Dr. Jer-Young Chen, Project leader of Technology Integration and Promotion of Nanotechnology Industrialization in Taiwan and “Development Trends of Nanotech in Taiwan” presented by Dr. Chao-An Jong, Program Manager of Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). It's also privilege to invite Dr. Bo Varga (Chair, Steering Committee, nanoSIG and the managing director of Silicon Valley, NANO Ventures) to deliver a speech on the topic of "Global Trends of Nanotech and International Collaboration." He will share valuable insight into the commercialization of Nanotech and investment strategies.

The organizers of this seminar will also display nanotech applications from Taiwan such as the quantum dot infra photo detector, self-clean and wear-resisting paint, nanocapsule, wear-resisting PU composite, nanoimprint technology, etc.

Taiwan Nanotech Week 2005 will be held September 21 to 25 in Taiwan. It comprises a complete line-up of dynamic activities, including the 2005 Taiwan Business Alliance Forum, International Nano Technology Exhibition, Annual Technical Report Conference, APEC nanoscale Measurement Technology Forum, International Workshop and Partnering Opportunity Meetings that welcomes the active participation of more than 400 international firms and multinational conglomerates. The integrated resources from local industry, the public sector and academic community will foster cluster impact to further contribute to the unlimited potential for international technology collaboration, investment, and trade.

“Taiwan Nano Tech 2005” offers seven winning sectors of nano-materials, nano-applications, overseas exhibitors and pavilions, academic research, institutions, the theme area, media services, and a special convergence area. These sectors encompass the seven major theme exhibitions including Materials & applications; Electronics & optoelectronics; Biotechnology; Environment & energy; Evaluation & measurement tools; MEMS; Micro-Nano fabrication technology & equipment.

The show along with the industry is striving to become Asia’s best in production, markets and technology. The government has allocated $700 million USD for a six-year program that will promote national nano-tech along with related science and technology projects. This massive effort builds upon Taiwan’s glowing track record where it leads global output in many biotech and electronic sectors. In 2004, the productivity of Taiwan’s nano-tech industry reached $530 million USD. According to the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), projections are expected to increase by 250% in growth in 2005, achieving a value of 1.3 billion US dollars.

Taiwan Nano Tech 2005 has been widely received across a number of industries, including those in the semiconductor, nano-material, IC circuit, precision instrument, optoelectronics, electronics, textile, medicine, and biotechnology. Only this event offers such great opportunities to collaborate, commercialize, and further strategic alliances.

For further details, visit http://www.TaipeiTradeShows.com.tw/Nano.

About Taiwan Trade Center in San Francisco & TAITRA:
Taiwan Trade Center in San Francisco (www.taitra.org.tw) is an international branch of Taiwan Trade External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). TAITRA is a premier non-profit trade organization with over 33 years of experience in specialized trade promotion of Taiwan. We have developed a well-coordinated trade promotion and information network composed of a staff of over 700 trained specialists stationed throughout the world. To help global traders do business with Taiwan, we organize more than 20 international trade shows each year and administrate a national trade portal site, (www.taiwantrade.com.tw).

Contact:
Sabrina Kor
Taiwan Trade Center in San Francisco
5201 Great America Parkway, Suite 306
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: (408) 988-5018 Ext: 202
Fax: (408) 988-5029

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:41 AM | Comments (0)

Tapping into Clean Energy Recovery in Rhode Island

Rentricity Receives Financial Support from Rhode Island State Energy Office and becomes the first Renewable Resource Generator Provider of the New England Power Pool

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- Rentricity Inc., the renewable energy recovery company, has received financial support from the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund. The funding will support two pre-development renewable energy programs in the State in cooperation with the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and Providence Water. “We are excited about the prospects of recovering energy from various state-based water systems” says Janice McClanaghan, Chief of Energy & Community Services of the Rhode Island State Energy Office (RISEO); “Our goal is to identify ways of using commercially available technologies for renewable power generation that can have a positive and immediate economic and environmental impact in the State of Rhode Island.”

Rentricity was approved as a member in the Alternative Resource Provider Sector of the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) in February, the first designee of its kind in the history of NEPOOL. This membership will provide Rentricity with the ability to sell its’ clean, renewable energy produced by a Flow-to-Wire system and establishes an accounting for Rentricity’s unique Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) which will be important to help state’s meet their respective renewable energy standards required by law.

Rentricity Inc.’s unique Flow-to-Wire systems recovery untapped energy found in drinking water systems pressurized piping and, individually, can produce between 30 and 200 kilowatts of clean, renewable power. “With growth in urban and suburban populations, water systems can take a more active role in public welfare by converting its mandatory flows into electricity” says Frank Zammataro, President & Co-founder of Rentricity. “When you consider the electric grid that services counties, towns, boroughs, cities, and villages exist side by side with the same geographic territory as water systems, you start to see an aggregate approach to energy recovery that can have long term regional benefits.”

Pam Marchand, Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Pawtucket Water Supply Board says, “As we continue the construction of our new water treatment facility, planning intelligently for energy recovery now makes sense.” Pawtucket is completing the development of a treatment facility that can take advantage of energy recovery during various operations to serve the population of that city. Paul Gadoury, P.E., Director of Engineering at Providence Water concurs: “Providence Water has historically been active in pursuit of hydroelectric power generation; the Rentricity study will support our interest in identifying new approaches to recover energy from our facilities.”

Rentricity is schedule to commence the Rhode Island work in May and will be making recommendations for site development by the late-summer 2005.

About Rentricity:
Rentricity, Inc. is an early-stage Delaware corporation focused on transforming untapped energy in various man-made processes into electricity. To harness this energy, Rentricity will use its patent pending Flow-to-Wiresm systems. These smart devices consist of a micro-turbine, generator, sensors, processors, electronic controls, and communications equipment that operate autonomously. The Company will provide many benefits to its water utility partners and the local community. Integrated sensors will enable Rentricity to offer its RenFlowsm information services to partners. These services will provide real-time system performance data and assist partners to maximize operational efficiencies and security. The company can be reached at http://www.rentricity.com
Rentricity Contact: Frank Zammataro, 732.319.4501

About RISEO:
The Rhode Island State Energy Office (RISEO) administers a variety of federal and state program grants which provide a broad spectrum of energy assistance, energy and water conservation, and weatherization services to the people of Rhode Island. The primary mission of the Energy Office is to maintain a healthy economy, foster economic development and ensure the health, safety and welfare of the people of Rhode Island. As a self-sufficient division, the office ensures that Rhode Island's energy resources are efficiently and economically managed, and consistent with sound environmental practices for the benefit of future generations. Rhode Island State Energy Office Contact: Janice McClanaghan, 401.222.6920

About Providence Water:
Providence Water operates the largest water utility in the State, serving 60 percent of the population of Rhode Island. An average of 67 million gallons per day are consumed in the 17 cities and towns served. Providence Water (PW) meets the needs of the environment while serving pure, high quality drinking water to its customers. Providence Water Contact: David Nickerson, 401.521.6300

About Pawtucket Water Supply Board:
The Pawtucket Water Supply Board (PWSB) is a water supplier that serves a population of over 100,000. The retail service area includes the Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls and the Valley Falls section of the Town of Cumberland. The PWSB owns and operates the water systems in Pawtucket and Valley Falls, and the City of Central Falls owns and operates the system in Central Falls. Pawtucket Water Supply Board Contact: Pamela Marchand, 401.729.5001

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

Sell a Motel at a Online Auction?

The Owners of the Villa South Motel and Restaurant Complex Think So Ira Royster owner of the Villa South Inn and Restaurant (villasouth.com) has put his Sandersville, Georgia landmark up for sale in an unconventional way – on the online auction sites, eBay and Bidup (bidup.org)

(PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- Ira Royster owner of the Villa South Inn and Restaurant (villasouth.com) has put his Sandersville, Georgia landmark up for sale in an unconventional way – on the online auction sites, eBay and Bidup (bidup.org)

Royster is selling the landmark motel and restaurant and stated he is ready to retire to his small farm and to help promote his family’s candle business, Wicks and Wonders Candles (georgiacandle.com).

Royster’s eBay effort even landed him coverage in the Atlanta Constitution and the Chicago Tribune about the site’s increasing number of real estate listing.

It appears to be generating considerable interest in the in the motel complex. Royster said the listing has generated numerous questions and some bids at the auction site. Royster further stated that he believes the site will sell on eBay and that the high bid so far has been $2,200,000. which was rather close to his minimum asking price and that people have contacted him from California to India.

Kim Royster the owner of Wicks and Wonders and Royster’s wife said that her candle business at Wicks and Wonders Candles has been consuming more of her time and she could use her husbands help. She said that her premium highly scented candles and candle accessories just opened up their web store at georgiacandle.com and that business has been increasing at a steady pace.

Further information is available at:
Villasouth.com
GeorgiaCandle.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:39 AM | Comments (0)

GENERON® IGS Awarded a Contract for Nitrogen Generator Packages On Board Drill Ships

Generon® IGS, an affiliate of Innovative Gas Systems, has recently been awarded a contract to supply ten (10) Nitrogen Generators of the Cabinet series HP 6500 to be installed onboard five diamond mining drill ships offshore South Africa and the Namibia west coast.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- The nitrogen will be used as a compensating medium in heave compensating systems. The replacement of compressed air with nitrogen for this application is relatively new in the O&G industry.

The application came into being when an accident occurred on one of the drill ships - the accumulator exploded. The explosion was caused by the reaction of Air (Oxygen) and the Hydraulic Fluid under high pressure. The investigation found under certain operating modes the compensating cylinders and associated pistons act in a manner similar to a diesel engine. In this situation the auto ignition temperature of the hydraulic fluid is reached. If Oxygen is present in the form of air, conditions exist within the compensator cylinders that enable the auto ignition of the hydraulic fluid (mist) with air (oxygen) to occur.

The accumulator is situated between the working bottles and the compensating cylinders. The explosion caused extensive damage to the drill tower and associated drilling equipment. The drill bit and drill string had to be cut off beneath the vessel, in order for it to sail back to port.

The Nitrogen System chosen for this application was a Generon® Nitrogen Cabinet Series unit. The Nitrogen System is a fully enclosed generator, designed for unattended, silent automated operation and will provide uninterrupted supply of gaseous nitrogen up to 300 Nm3/h with purities from 95-99,9 Vol.% in a footprint of approx. 800 x 800 mm.

For information on Generon® IGS systems, please contact us through our website; igs-global or directly @ Generon® IGS, 11985 FM 529, Houston Texas 77041; Phone: 713-937-5200; Fax: 713-937-5250.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:39 AM | Comments (0)

April 26, 2005

Improved Filtration Reduces Pollution and Helps Industry Squeeze Every Drop of Energy and Products Out of a Barrel of Oil or MCF of Gas

Explains how filtration reduces waste in Industry and reduces pollution. Cover gas turbine filter applications

Cypress, TX (PRWEB) April 26, 2005 -- Today’s energy and petrochemical industries are utilizing gas turbine engines, similar to those used on aircraft to manufacture electricity, produce steam, chilled water, and industrial gases from energy that used to be wasted and became pollution. Thermal recovery systems are collecting waste heat and using it to fuel drastic improvements in air quality. Recently engineered technologies are not only reducing pollution by the reduction of waste, but their improved efficiencies are reducing the costs of fuels, chemicals and electricity. Filtration is a small but important part of the overall improvements of today’s refineries, petrochemical and thermal power plants.

Gas turbine engines require clean air, fuel and quality lubrication to operate efficiently. Air is filtered through an inlet filter housing and is drawn into the engine by the spinning of the turbine blades where it is compressed and mixed with fuel and the expansion of gases spins the turbine and the generator. Small particles must be filtered out of the air stream supplying the turbine or they will collect on the turbine blades. Turbine blades are precisely manufactured to exacting tolerances and balanced to spin easily. Accumulation of fine particles will cause the blades to become fouled and unbalanced and greatly reduce the efficiency and the output of the generator. Newly introduced air filters with high particle efficiency require less energy (pressure drop) to draw air through the system and can improve power output by as much as 0.9%.

Fuels used to power gas turbines must be kept clean and moisture free to maximize combustion and reduce emissions. This is accomplished with filtration.

Hundreds to thousands of gallons of lubricating oils are used to reduce friction and wear on the parts of the turbine. Rotating engines require continuous lubrication and the oils used become contaminated with water from condensation and particles from incomplete combustion. Water in these oils reduces their lubricating qualities and promotes the growth of bacteria witch degrades the life of the oil. Special filters are set in series to remove small particles, capture water molecules, acid contaminants (from bacterial degradation) and expel air in the system. Filtration and /or oil reclamation can greatly reduce need to change out lubricating oils thus reducing oil waste.

Similar systems are intergraded throughout the modern or upgraded energy facilities with stream turbines, gas compressors, and pumps. Filtration systems can reduce the need for lube oils, and improve the efficiencies and performance of the equipment that is squeezing money out of every barrel and BTU of hydrocarbons.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:25 AM | Comments (0)

April 25, 2005

The Murphy Group LLC Adds Foodservice Expertise

Competencies in Operations Design and Proprietary Concept Development Round Out TMG's Suite of Global Services

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 25, 2005 -- Today the Murphy Group LLC announced the addition of Howard Kosel to its staff as a Principal and Sr. Consultant responsible for heading up the firm’s foodservice practice. “We look at foodservice as one of the fastest growing opportunities for our clients and having the right resources in place will provide measurable value to our customer’s business” said Jeff Murphy, the firm’s Managing Director and Founder.

Mr. Kosel specializes in providing intelligence, development and implementation services to food manufacturers, chain operators and convenience stores retailers. Howard brings over 18 years of diverse experience in the development of foodservice concepts, operations analysis, design and merchandising expertise. His foodservice consulting experience includes major engagements with Burger King, Nestlé, Sodexho, Einstein Brothers, Ranch*1, The Bronx Zoo, Esso, Mobil Oil and Unilever. Recently, Mr. Kosel has been working with food and equipment manufacturers to develop new technologies that advance the quality and speed in which food and beverages can be delivered.

Prior to joining TMG, Howard was a Partner at Arthur D. Little, where he led teams of scientists and engineers in developing new foods, beverages and appliances. He has also held an executive position with a foodservice design agency and consulting firm, and worked for an international foodservice consultant as a kitchen designer and operations analyst.

About The Murphy Group LLC:
The Murphy Group LLC (TMG) is global business development consultancy focused on the fuels and convenience retailing industry. The firm is dedicated to generating increased profit for convenience retailers and selected suppliers. Its variety of services includes market assessment, market expansion, brand development, training, food service development, operational improvement, fuels technology, strategic planning, global best practice benchmarking and logistics/supply enhancement.

Media contacts: At The Murphy Group LLC, 1.703.723.9637, Jeff Murphy, Principal and, Managing Partner, e-mail protected from spam bots, or Howard Kosel, 1.781.504.4395, Principal, e-mail protected from spam bots, www.murphygroupllc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:57 AM | Comments (0)

Faster, Higher, Greater – The Outstanding Achievements Of The New CRx Tower

Faster scanning speeds, higher scanning resolution and greater throughput are just three of the benefits offered by the new CRx Tower computed radiography (CR) scanner from GE Inspection Technologies. Incorporating all of the acknowledged advantages of computed radiography over film radiography, in terms of faster exposures, wider latitude, fewer retakes and overall reduced materials and labor costs, the new scanner is the first CR system to achieve scan resolution, for certain formats, of up to 50 micron or 20 pixels/mm. It will find ready application in industrial NDT from corrosion monitoring in the oil and gas sector to castings inspection in the manufacturing environment.

Huerth, Germany (PRWEB) April 24, 2005 -- Faster scanning speeds, higher scanning resolution and greater throughput are just three of the benefits offered by the new CRx Tower computed radiography (CR) scanner from GE Inspection Technologies. Incorporating all of the acknowledged advantages of computed radiography over film radiography, in terms of faster exposures, wider latitude, fewer retakes and overall reduced materials and labor costs, the new scanner is the first CR system to achieve scan resolution, for certain formats, of up to 50 micron or 20 pixels/mm. It will find ready application in industrial NDT from corrosion monitoring in the oil and gas sector to castings inspection in the manufacturing environment.

The new CRx Tower can be used with X-ray and isotope sources to carry out many of the inspection tasks associated with conventional radiography such as weld inspection and inspection of concrete structures. It is particularly suited to the inspection of multi-thickness and composite components, as multi-film simulation pre-sets allow different thicknesses to be captured in one image, eliminating the need for a sandwich of different sensitivity films required in film radiography.

When combined with GE Inspection Technologies’ Rhythm software and its embedded wall thickness software option, the new scanner is the ideal solution for on-stream inspection of pipelines for corrosion/erosion in petrochemical plants, oil and gas facilities, refineries and water treatment works and does not require the removal of insulation. Remaining wall thickness can be accurately measured tangentially, using a patent-pending semi-tomography algorithm, or by penetrating radiation measurement, using a density reference body.

There is no need to input physical pipe dimensions manually, as the data is communicated automatically from the plant’s maintenance database by means of the Rhythm software, which also transfers measurement results back to the database, together with the exact measurement location to ensure that periodical inspections are precisely replicated. A mobile ID station allows inspection personnel to provide all the relevant data from the database at the measurement location using a hand-held computer. This computer programs a chip in the CRx Tower imaging plate cassette to ensure automated image acquisition and storage.

The mobile ID station reduces the requirement for manual data entry or transfer, and with it the risk of errors in the workflow in the factory and in the field. It can be programmed with a work list at a main workstation and before each exposure, the data associated with that exposure is copied from the ID station onto the cassette to be used. The cassettes are collected upon completion of the work and fed into the CRx Tower scanner, which can scan the image and the chip at the same time, ensuring that the information is saved with the exact parameters into the software database.

The new scanner finds equal application as an in-house and a mobile unit, as it can be easily fitted in a vehicle for transport between sites. It incorporates many of the successful features of the long-established CR Tower, such as the automatic handling, reading and subsequent erasing of imaging plates to ensure cassette lifetimes of up to 4000 scans, but offers faster scanning speeds of up to 45, 14 x 17in (35.6 x 43.2cm) plates per hour at high resolution. It complements GE’s existing comprehensive range of computed radiography scanners and film digitizers and will be seen as the new “workhorse” of the technology.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:56 AM | Comments (0)

IAS 50 - New Field-Deployable, Ultrasonic, Integrity Assessment System From GE Inspection Technologies

The new IAS 50 from GE Inspection Technologies is a field-deployable, ultrasonic integrity assessment system, designed for corrosion mapping and general flaw detection. It is intended for use in the oil and gas and energy industries, particularly in the inspection of pipelines and other critical structures, as it features analysis software in line with newly introduced direct assessment standards from the National Association of Corrosion Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute.

Huerth, Germany (PRWEB) April 24, 2005 -- The new IAS 50 from GE Inspection Technologies is a field-deployable, ultrasonic integrity assessment system, designed for corrosion mapping and general flaw detection. It is intended for use in the oil and gas and energy industries, particularly in the inspection of pipelines and other critical structures, as it features analysis software in line with newly introduced direct assessment standards from the National Association of Corrosion Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute.

The comprehensive new, turn-key system has been designed for the most rugged of operating environments and consists of a high performance, five channel, ultrasonic generator/control unit, which is coupled with a two-axis motion controller and a data acquisition system. The motion controller is connected to a mechanized, automatic scanning robot and the data acquisition system is provided with application-specific imaging and analysis software. The IAS 50 is available with a series of ultrasonic probes and probe holders to allow a variety of inspection applications on flat or curved surfaces. Its operation in five-channel mode can reduce inspection times by up to 80% when compared with single probe configurations.

When used in corrosion mapping applications, GE’s IAS 50 can map wall thickness with a thickness resolution of 0.001 inches (0.03mm) in steel. It provides D-scan, color coded images and section views of the corroded profile of the inspected part. A special feature for the direct examination of oil and gas pipelines is an embedded analysis package, which allows the operator to choose a variety of industry standard interaction rules to create critical failure paths for loading into RSTRENG and ASME B31G remaining strength algorithms. Based on options chosen by the operator, the IAS 50 will provide valuable information about the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) for the inspected pipeline section.

The IAS 50 can also be used as an automated multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detection system for the accurate location and sizing of defects. In flaw detection mode, the operator can set up the instrument to provide concurrent display of the A-scan of each channel, complete with DAC/TCG curve, evaluation gates, gain and other relevant settings. Once the inspection plan is programmed into the system, the IAS 50 will automatically scan to provide a C-scan image for further evaluation and analysis. Software-generated, screen cursors allow easy defect sizing.

Data recording is by imaging software that allows motion control as well as data acquisition and analysis. This provides graphical representation of inspected substrates and data can be downloaded by the built-in modem for off-site analysis and archiving.

GE’s new IAS 50 operates in a Windows XP environment and features a useful inspection set-up wizard. It embodies the acknowledged experience and expertise of GE Inspection Technologies and is supported by the company’s comprehensive service structure.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:54 AM | Comments (0)

USM 35X Portable Flaw Detector Is Now Sealed-For-Use To IP 66

The latest version of the USM 35 portable ultrasonic flaw detector, from GE Inspection Technologies, is now totally protected against the ingress of dust and strong jets of water to IP 66 and contains new software which allows its operation to Japanese weld inspection standards. In addition, the mechanical design modifications necessary to achieve the IP 66 rating have ensured that this versatile flaw detector is now even more robust and suitable for application in the most aggressive of operating environments.

Huerth, Germany (PRWEB) April 24, 2005 -- The latest version of the USM 35 portable ultrasonic flaw detector, from GE Inspection Technologies, is now totally protected against the ingress of dust and strong jets of water to IP 66 and contains new software which allows its operation to Japanese weld inspection standards. In addition, the mechanical design modifications necessary to achieve the IP 66 rating have ensured that this versatile flaw detector is now even more robust and suitable for application in the most aggressive of operating environments.

The new USM 35X offers all the functionality associated with the USM 35 but its new environmental protection rating means that it is now not merely splash-proof but can be used in applications ranging from the dusty deserts often encountered in pipeline laying, to the heavy seas met in oil and gas exploration and offshore structural inspection. It is also suitable for operation in ambient temperatures from 0°C to 60°C.

By incorporating a software module to meet the Japanese Industrial Standard Z3060-2002 weld inspection code and by having operating instructions available in Japanese as well as most European languages, applications for the new flaw detector can now be extended not only to Japan but also to worldwide projects which are subject to Japanese code compliancy.

Software improvements in signal processing, as well as circuit board and shielding redesign, account for a much better signal-to-noise ratio with the USM 35X, while new printer drivers now allow reports to be printed directly on-site, without the need to download to a computer.

The USM 35X offers extreme ease of use in inspection tasks ranging from simple flaw detection to corrosion measurement. Its two “spin & set” rotary knobs allow rapid setting of gain and function values and the operator can select the required dB step width, freeze the displayed A-scan or switch the A-scan to full screen size by means of direct access keys.

The color scheme of the high visibility color screen can be changed to suit prevailing light conditions or according to personal preference. The color display facility also enhances clarity when using angle beam probes in weld inspections, as the color of the signal changes with every reflection of the sound beam from the workpiece surface.

As with the USM 35, the new, extremely portable USM 35X is powered by Lithium Ion batteries which allow at least 14 hours of continuous use and can be recharged while still in the instrument.

About GE Inspection Technologies
GE Inspection Technologies is a global leader in technology-driven inspection solutions that deliver customer productivity, quality and safety. The company designs, manufactures and services radiographic, ultrasonic and eddy current NDT equipment to test materials without deforming or damaging them. Its products are used in a wide range of industries, including Aerospace, Power Generation, Oil & Gas and Automotive. The company has 11 application centers around the globe and offers a range of services including repair, calibration, training and upgrades. GE Inspection Technologies has 1,000 employees at more than 25 facilities in 25 countries worldwide. To learn more about GE Inspection Technologies visit www.GEInspectionTechnologies.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Silver Star Announces North Franklin "Archer-Wildlands #1" Gas Well Spud Date – Production Update

Silver Star Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSE) today announces that the Company has received a timeframe for the spud of the Archer-Wildlands #1 well. The drilling will commence in early May and the Company anticipates the well to be completed before May 15th.

Las Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 24, 2005 -- Silver Star Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSE) today announces that the Company has received a timeframe for the spud of the Archer-Wildlands #1 well. The drilling will commence in early May and the Company anticipates the well to be completed before May 15th. This will be the second in a series of wells to be drilled in 2005 in the development plan for the North Franklin gas reservoir. As earlier reported, Silver Star has advanced funds in full to the operator for the Company's 40% working interest cost of the well to completion. The "Archer-Wildlands #1" well is licensed, permitted and the well site preparations are ongoing. A drill contract has been signed and a drilling rig has been secured for the well.

Silver Star will be receiving the gas production totals from the "Archer-Whitney #1" well which went on commercial gas production March 21st. The Company now has been in production for one full month on April 25th and will report figures when received in full from the operator. Just as the Company recently reported its first month's oil production at the Joarcam 13-27 well, similar reporting will shortly be forthcoming from North Franklin.

About Silver Star Energy, Inc.
The Company is committed to the exploration and extensive development of oil and natural gas reserves throughout western North America. Company management is focused on an acquisition program targeting high quality, low risk prospects provided via key strategic alliance partnerships.

Safe harbor for Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for statements of historical fact, the information presented herein constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to acquire and develop specific projects, the ability to fund operations and changes in consumer and business consumption habits and other factors over which Silver Star Energy, Inc. has little or no control.

On behalf of the board
Silver Star Energy, Inc.
Robert McIntosh-President

To find out more about Silver Star Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSE), visit our website at www.silverstarenergy.com.

Silver Star Energy Inc. is Featured Company on NaturalGasStocks.com

For full details, click here: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/SVSE/NewsReleases.asp

Source: Silver Star Energy, Inc.

Silver Star Energy, Inc.
Investor Information:
1-888-803-SVSE (7873)
or
Investrend Research
R. Hempel, 718-896-5060
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Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Synterprise Global Consulting Launches Redesigned Website Featuring Expanded Plant O&M Services and Boiler Performance Improvement Solutions

Synterprise Global Consulting, an industry leader in plant performance improvement solutions, today announced the launch of their redesigned website which can now be seen at www.synterprise.com.

(PRWEB) April 23, 2005 -- Integrating a recently updated look and feel across all corporate communications, the new site offers many the same efficient attributes as the previous site, but features additional content and new online resources. With this redesign, Synterprise is focusing on their core strengths- creating clear and sustainable improvements and competitive value across functional business units in asset intensive industries. The updated website highlights CMMS / EAM services, reliability management, outage / shutdown performance, and boiler efficiency improvement and NOx reduction technologies.

“Synterprise’s increasing global visibility is now supported by a robust, integrated presence that clearly reflects our capabilities to provide our client with powerful asset optimization, plant performance, and combustion improvement solutions," said Bob Moss, COO of Synterprise Global Consulting. "Our updated site provides a renewed sense of energy and innovation, and the world-class consulting services featured are anchored by our global exposure and implementation of industry 'best practices'. Our clients know we have been where they are, and the experience we bring to the table has allowed them to place a higher standard of trust in Synterprise—our greatest asset.”

With recent installations and the widespread North America availability in 2004 of the Ecotube System--an advanced boiler combustion and performance improvement technology with powerful CO and NOx reduction capabilities—the updated site reflects additional supporting data requested by customers, especially in the biomass, pulp and paper, and waste to energy industries. Benefits include NOx and CO reduction- allowing organizations to maximize green credits participation, boiler lifecycle extension, and lower fuel, ash and disposal costs.

Users can now access new online features such as the EAM / CMMS Technology Evaluation Center, an automated decision support system, powered by the TEC Group which accesses thousands of functional and technical vendor criteria. The software, which features an expanding data base of CMMS and vendor information is now coupled with Synterprise's FIVEstar’s ‘best practices’ EAM / CMMS evaluation methodologies to lower an organization’s risk of incorrectly selecting and implementing a CMMS system.

About Synterprise Global Consulting
Synterprise, LLC is a privately owned consulting company to the energy and utility industry. Synterprise’s Reliability, Outage, Work Management, and Boiler Performance improvement programs integrate leading reliability technologies with best practices asset utilization and business processes for sustainable improvement.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.synterprise.com or contact us at 423.267.5363.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:52 AM | Comments (0)

Post Carbon Institute Announces New Board of Directors

Post Carbon Institute, a think and action tank that explores what culture, governance, and economies might look like without fossil fuels, announces the formation of its new board of directors.

(PRWEB) April 23, 2005 -- Post Carbon Institute was established in January 2003 to raise awareness of global oil peak and begin preparations for a post-petroleum economy. The board appointees announced today bring, among other things, recognized expertise in ecology, oil and gas peak, local money, climate change, community, city design, online activism, local organizing, and relocalization.

The new board appointees are Richard Heinberg, professor at New College of California (USA), Richard Douthwaite, co-founder of Feasta (Ireland), Bill Rees, professor at University of British Columbia (Canada), Faith Morgan, Board President and Trustee of Community Service, Inc. (USA), James Howard Kunstler, author (USA), Dick Bell, executive with Friends of the Earth (USA), and Jason Bradford, founder of Willits Economic Localization (USA). They join the Post Carbon team of Julian Darley, David Room and Celine Rich, who are also directors.

Julian Darley, founder of Post Carbon Institute and Global Public Media, serves as chairman.

"We're thrilled that we have such a high caliber board, whose members reflect a range of backgrounds and professions, and who also represent a global cross-section of perspectives," said Darley in announcing the appointees. "They all have experience in questioning the current system of waste and violence, asking tough questions, not accepting business-as-usual lite answers, and proposing different ways of thinking about how we interact with the planet and one other.

New Directors

- Richard Heinberg is the author of six books including The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies (New Society, 2003), and Powerdown: Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World (New Society, 2004). He is a journalist, educator, editor, lecturer, and a Core Faculty member of New College of California, where he teaches a program on “Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community.” His monthly MuseLetter was nominated in 1994 for an Alternative Press Award and has been included in Utne Reader's annual list of Best Alternative Newsletters. His essays and articles have appeared in many journals including Z Magazine, The Futurist, Earth Island Journal, Wild Matters, Alternative Press Review, and The Sun.

- Richard Douthwaite is an economist and author. His books, The Growth Illusion: How Economics Growth has Enriched the Few, Impoverished the Many and Endangered the Planet (New Society, 1999) and Short Circuit (Green Books, 1996), give dozens of examples of currency, banking, energy and food production systems which communities can use to make themselves less dependent on an increasingly unstable world economy. In 1998-9 he was a consultant to an EU-funded project to establish experimental community currencies in Scotland, Ireland, Amsterdam and Madrid.

- Dr. William Rees is a Professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC. His teaching and research emphasize the public policy and planning implications of global environmental trends and the necessary ecological conditions for sustaining socioeconomic activity. Much of his work is in the realm of ecological economics and human ecology. He is best known in this field for his invention of 'ecological footprint analysis', a quantitative tool that estimates humanity's ecological impact on the ecosphere in terms of appropriated ecosystem (land and water) area. Dr. Rees was awarded a UBC Killam Research Prize (1996) in acknowledgement of his research achievements.

- Faith Morgan is the trustee and treasurer of Community Service, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in 1940 by engineer and educator Arthur E. Morgan to research and promote small communities. They are working on Agraria, a prototype housing development that promotes energy-efficient building techniques, a sense of community, economic sustainability and local food production. Agraria features small, highly energy-efficient houses clustered together to preserve green space, which can then be used for gardens, orchards, open space and recreation areas.

- Dick Bell, an executive of Friends of the Earth U.S., is the founder of the Democracy Cell Project. As blogmaster for the Kerry’s presidential campaign, he is credited with resuscitating Kerry’s online campaign. He was also instrument in getting the Democratic party online 10 years ago. He is co-author of Nukespeak: The Selling of Nuclear Technology in America. a book highly critical of nuclear power.

- James Howard Kunstler is the author of four non-fiction works on cities and the challenges facing American society including The Geography of Nowhere, Home From Nowhere, The City in Mind: Notes on the Urban Condition, (Simon & Schuster / Free Press), and his latest work, about the energy crisis, "The Long Emergency" (Grove-Atlantic, 2005). He is featured in the documentary, The End of Suburbia: Oil Decline and the Collapse of the American Dream.

- Dr. Jason Bradford is the founder of Willits Economic Localization, a group of citizens in the Willits region (Mendocino county, California), working together to create a local economy based on the principles of sufficiency, responsibility, and life promoting actions. He was previously a Research Scientist with the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development. He has a PhD in Evolutionary and Population Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and has considerable expertise in the relationship between biodiversity and climate change.

"This is an exciting time for Post Carbon Institute," said David Room, Director of North American Operations. "As the new board assembles, we plan to greatly broaden our audience, member participation, and scope of operations."

Darley concluded, "I look forward to working with our new board members in developing and integrating effective responses to oil and gas peak and climate change."

Post Carbon Institute is a think and action tank that explores in theory and practice what cultures, civilization, governance & economies might look like without the use of (non-renewable) hydrocarbons as energy and chemical feedstocks. Post Carbon Institute advocates global relocalization as an essential response to peak oil, resource conflicts, climate change and other ecological problems. Post Carbon Institute’s “Outpost” program is designed to start the relocalization process by mobilizing community groups to experiment with ways of meeting their essential needs within walking distance. http://www.postcarbon.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:51 AM | Comments (0)

SimSci-Esscor Releases Enhanced Steady-State Simulator for Safety Systems and Pressure Relief Networks

The SimSci-Esscor unit of Invensys Process Systems has announced the release of version 5.0 of its VISUAL FLOW simulation program. Version 5.0 features enhanced SIM4ME thermodynamics, improved reporting capabilities, and more efficient data entry workflows. Used in the design and modeling of safety systems and pressure relief networks, the VISUAL FLOW simulation software provides a complete solution for a variety of industries including oil and gas production, gas processing, refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, and engineering and construction.

(PRWEB) April 23, 2005 -- VISUAL FLOW software provides process and safety engineers with rigorous steady-state simulation for designing, documenting, and modeling plant fluid-flow systems. The seamless integration of SIM4ME thermodynamics provides users with access to extensive component databanks, more than 35 thermodynamic modeling methods including equations of state and generalised correlations, thus improving the range and accuracy of flow models for the process industries.

“Plants increasingly require sophisticated solutions in the form of simple-to-use environments that will deliver fast, reliable, and accurate answers to their toughest questions, from the rating of complex relief systems to highly looped cooling water systems,” said Jim Browne, SimSci-Esscor’s fluid flow product manager. “The enhancements we’ve added to this version of VISUAL FLOW software make it easy for customers to integrate the information and thermodynamic calculations they need to ensure safer design and operation in their plants.”

A translator allows users to automatically upgrade existing simulation models to the new SIM4ME-based thermodynamics. The simplified pull-down menus and point-and-click options in the new version require a minimum amount of information from users to develop and execute simulation models. Cost reduction and increased engineering efficiency can be achieved because engineers require less time to develop models for each application. The solution also enables consistency and reproducibility through its standardised processes.

VISUAL FLOW simulation software was developed to model the toughest single and multiphase fluid-flow systems by using point-by-point thermodynamics and pressure drop calculations. It is ideal for applications including the design and rating of flare networks, line sizing, relief valve sizing or rating, and vessel de-pressuring. This release is part of SimSci-Esscor’s continuing commitment to enhancing simulation technology and application within the SIM4ME common modeling environment. SimSci-Esscor simulation solutions are developed to increase engineering productivity and boost overall asset/plant profitability by enabling users to improve the accuracy of process engineering design and operational analysis of decision support.

About SimSci-Esscor
SimSci-Esscor, an operating unit of Invensys plc, is a leader in the development and deployment of industrial process simulation software and systems for a variety of industries, including oil and gas production, petroleum refining, petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, electrical power generation, mining, pulp and paper, and engineering and construction. SimSci-Esscor solutions enable clients to minimise capital requirements, optimise facility performance, and maximise returns on investments in producing assets. SimSci-Esscor supports more than 750 client companies in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit the SimSci-Esscor Web site at www.simsciesscor.com.

About Invensys
Invensys is an automation, controls and process solutions Group working to create value for customers and investors. Our products, services, expertise and ongoing support enable intelligent systems to monitor and control processes in many different environments. The businesses within Invensys help customers in a variety of industries - including hydrocarbons, chemicals, oil and gas, power and utilities, rail, telecommunications, paper, food and beverage, dairy, pharmaceuticals and personal care - to perform with greater efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Process Systems (IPS) provides products, services and solutions for the automation and optimisation of plant operation in the process industries. APV specialises in process equipment engineered into systems and asset services for food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical and chemical clients. Eurotherm is a leading supplier of control and measurement instrumentation solutions and services to industrial and process customers. Rail Systems is a multinational leader in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of safety-related rail signalling and control systems. Climate Controls is a major provider of the components, systems and services used across the world to make commercial and residential environments safer, more comfortable and more efficient. Appliance Controls has the broadest system and component offering for the appliance industry worldwide.

The Invensys Group is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.

Invensys;, Wonderware; Foxboro; Marcam; Triconex; SimSci-Esscor; Digital Coriolis; DolPhin; APV; and Eurotherm, PRO/II, are trademarks or servicemarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. All other brands and product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Full details can be found at http://www.ballard.co.uk/press_releases/company_releases.aspx

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:50 AM | Comments (0)

April 22, 2005

Organization Releases Platform to Counter Islamic Extremist and Other Threats in U.S.

The United American Committee announced a ten point platform today to counter threats and issues facing America from within. Primarily addressing the issue of the spread of Islamic extremism in the U.S.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 22, 2005 -- Today the United American Committee announces it’s platform to deal with the threats which face America from within. The topics of the platform cover border security, visa restrictions, all the way to addressing the issue of America’s dependency on foreign oil which originates from nations with high levels of terrorist activities. One point addresses American organizations being funded by foreign governments; “No organization of any kind deemed to be promoting ideals which endanger the American populace shall receive funding by any foreign government or other foreign source.” as point seven states, this pertaining to influence and funding from Saudi Arabia on American based organizations, says U.A.C. sources. The entire platform can be found on the group’s website under the agenda section at www.UnitedAmericanCommittee.org

About the U.A.C.
Founded in 2004 by a team of diverse Americans, including Jesse Petrilla, C.E.O. of Petrilla Entertainment, and Ted Hayes, Activist and community leader in Los Angeles, the United American Committee has grown exponentially. Partnering with such names as author Robert Spencer, and individuals such as Christopher Holton of the Center For Security Policy, the U.A.C. is dedicated to promoting awareness of threats which face America from within, and primarily focuses on Islamic extremism in America.

Contact: United American Committee Public Relations
Voice: 310-924-9383
www.UnitedAmericanCommittee.org

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:30 AM | Comments (0)

Energy Hedge Fund Center Now Tracking 330 Funds in Energy - New Trend is Emergence of Natural Resources Fund of Funds

The Energy Hedge Fund Center (EHFC) reports that it now lists more than 330 hedge funds active in the energy and energy-related industries with two to three new funds in formation each week. The Energy Hedge Fund Directory lists hedge funds that are either specialist energy funds or more diversified funds that have exposed more of their assets under management to the energy industry. The directory is actively maintained by EHFC staff and subscribers receive monthly updates.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 22, 2005 -- The Energy Hedge Fund Center (EHFC) reports that it now lists more than 330 hedge funds active in the energy and energy-related industries with two to three new funds in formation each week. The Energy Hedge Fund Directory lists hedge funds that are either specialist energy funds or more diversified funds that have exposed more of their assets under management to the energy industry. The directory is actively maintained by EHFC staff and subscribers receive monthly updates.

Currently, EHFC has identified more than 100 hedge funds active in energy commodities markets and more than 70 that are pursuing energy focused equity long/short strategies. Additionally, the directory now lists a growing number of alternative energy and environmental or ‘green’ hedge funds. About 90 of the listed hedge funds have a 100% focus on the energy industry while many more are active across commodities including electric power, natural gas, refined products, crude oil, metals and agricultural commodities. A recent important trend identified by EHFC analysts has been the rise in interest in energy by fund of funds which bring more conservative investor in to the energy industry. The number of fund of funds with a natural resources and/or energy focus has tripled in the last three months.

“The recent interest in energy on the part of fund of funds represents a maturation of hedge fund activity in the energy industry,” reports Dr. Gary M. Vasey. “Fund of funds generally offer more conservative investors access to a more diversified portfolio of energy and energy-related hedge funds often institutional investors. To date, many of the energy hedge funds appear to have been funded by wealthy private investors and family money.”

“We still anticipate over 300 new energy hedge funds entering the markets this year. They will trading energy commodities but also involved in distressed debt, carbon, emissions, and renewable energy trading as well as water trading,” said best selling author Mr. Peter C. Fusaro, and Chairman of Global Change Associates.

The Directory of Energy Hedge Funds is available on an annual subscription basis from the Energy Hedge Fund Center website at www.energyhedgefunds.com. EHFC staff provides regular online seminar briefings on hedge funds in the energy industry and the next online seminar is scheduled for May 10th, 2005. For more details, please visit the Energy Hedge Fund Center.

About the Energy Hedge Fund Center (www.energyhedgefunds.com)
The Energy Hedge Fund Center (EHFC) is the first free web community specifically created for those interested in monitoring and understanding the activities of hedge funds in the energy industry. In our community users have access to news, articles, polls and other information on energy hedge funds and their activities. Members of the community receive a daily email highlighting site updates. The energy hedge fund directory is also available for subscription at the site. The EHFC was co-founded by Mr. Peter C. Fusaro of Global Change Associates and Dr. Gary M. Vasey of UtiliPoint International and it is actively moderated by Fusaro and Vasey.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)

Half of BC Residents Support Offshore Oil & Gas Drilling off BC Coast

Results from a Nordic Research Group poll show that half of BC residents support, either somewhat or strongly, drilling for oil and gas off the coast of BC.

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) April 22, 2005 -- Results from a Nordic Research Group poll show that half of BC residents support, either somewhat or strongly, drilling for oil and gas off the coast of BC.

The question: ‘Do you support or oppose drilling for offshore oil or gas off the coast of BC?’ was asked to 801 respondents between March 28th and April 6th, 2005. 52% either strongly or somewhat supported drilling for offshore oil or gas while 34% of respondents either strongly or somewhat opposed drilling .

“Those British Columbians who oppose offshore drilling tend to strongly oppose it while supporters are about evenly divided between those who strongly support it and those who somewhat support the idea,” said Adam Di Paula, Senior Vice President of Nordic Research Group. “This is clearly a polarizing issue. However, at least at this point in time, British Columbians appear to be more open to the idea than opposed to it.”, said Di Paula.

“Support for offshore drilling is highest in Vancouver Island and Coastal regions. This is not surprising since those areas would stand to benefit the most economically,” added Di Paula.

About the survey
801 randomly selected BC residents, proportionate to the province’s population, were interviewed on the issue of drilling for offshore oil or gas as part of Nordic Research Group’s monthly omnibus – Ask BC, BC’s leading monthly omnibus survey. Overall results are accurate to within +/- 3.5%, 19 times out of 20 and were collected from March 28 to April 6, 2005.

About Nordic Research Group
Based in Vancouver, Nordic Research Group is one of Canada’s leading market and public opinion research firms. Nordic provides both quantitative and qualitative research services through its Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto offices to clients throughout North America and worldwide. Core services include research design, data collection and advanced analytics.

Survey Results
Full poll results and graphs available at http://www.nordicresearch.net.

Contact Information:
Adam Di Paula, PhD
Senior Vice President
Nordic Research Group
Tel: (604) 676-5641
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
Web: http://www.nordicresearch.net

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)

The Alternative Energy Store and Southwest Windpower to Hold Wind Energy Seminar for Installers April 28th & 29th

The Alternative Energy Store and Southwest Windpower have teamed up to hold a “Small-Wind Installers” workshop on April 28th and 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Alternative Energy Store, 65 Water Street in Worcester.

WORCESTER, MA (PRWEB) April 22, 2005 -- In deference to Earth Day, the Alternative Energy Store and Southwest Windpower have teamed up to hold a “Small-Wind Installers” workshop on April 28th and 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Alternative Energy Store, 65 Water Street in Worcester. This seminar is geared to those interested in becoming installers and space is limited to 25 participants.

The Alternative Energy Store, the Worcester, MA based provider of renewable energy products that caters to customers around the globe via their online store (AltEnergyStore.com) and catalog and Southwest Windpower, the world’s largest manufacturer of 400 to 3,000 watt wind generators, will educate distributors about the benefits of wind power and ease of installation. Topics to be covered include small-wind technology, wind-resource assessment, wind system sizing, wind system components and installation techniques.

To register for the seminar, contact LuAnn Mattson at the Alternative Energy Store Toll Free (800) 320-9514.

According to Sascha Deri, president of the Alternative Energy Store, “Wind energy is an affordable renewable energy option and the state of Massachusetts does offer rebates for users. Wind energy is very good for the environment as it is a cost-effective, reliable and clean energy solution.”

Making Renewable Energy Affordable
Founded in 1999, the Alternative Energy Store, LLC has catered to customers on every continent of the globe. With a mission to make renewable energy affordable, the Alternative Energy Store has established long-standing relationships with manufacturers to pass along the cost savings to customers. These relationships coupled with the expertise of the purchasing department and exceptional promotions enable the Alternative Energy Store to offer the best prices over competitors.

Committed to benefiting societies and the environment, the Alternative Energy Store is dedicated to educating consumers and providing the best selection of solar, wind, micro-hydro and other alternative energy products worldwide.

Alternative Energy Store is located at 65 Water Street in Worcester, Mass. For more information visit their website at www.AltEnergyStore.com or contact Toll Free (800) 320-9514.

Contact: Steven Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, e-mail protected from spam bots.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)

Research and Markets: Keep Up-to-date with the Latest Happenings in the Asian Oil and Gas Industries

Research and Markets (researchandmarkets.com/reports/c16115) has announced the addition of Asia Oil and Gas Newsletter to their offering.

(PRWEB) April 22, 2005 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c16115) has announced the addition of Asia Oil and Gas Newsletter to their offering.

Every two weeks Asia Oil and Gas is delivered to the subscriber’s Inbox - packed with comprehensive news and business opportunities from across the diverse oil and gas markets of the world’s largest continent, including Central Asia, South East Asia and Australasia.

Whether you are already involved in projects or tenders in the area or you are looking to develop new business there, Asia Oil and Gas is the must-have news source in order to keep your company informed and ahead of the competition.

Regular features include:
-Field Development - New oil and gas field development plans, who's bidding for and winning contracts, ongoing projects and investment levels.
-Exploration - New discoveries, drilling, rigs, spending budgets and well test results.
-Production - New fields coming on-stream, production rates/techniques and technology.
-Engineering & Construction - Who is building platforms, floaters, rigs, pipelines, sub-sea facilities, jackets and topsides etc.
-Licensing - Blocks on offer, what companies are bidding for and winning them, farm-out/in deals.
-Pipelines – The latest on pipeline plans from initial feasibility studies to operational infrastructure.
-Seismic - New shoots, interpretation of data and new data available.
-Finance & Investment - Spending budgets, financial results, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, equity sales and IPOs.
-Politics & Legislation - What effect a new government or law, regional upheaval and allegiances will have on your company’s activities in a given country.
-Strategy – Where and why companies are investing, partnership deals, core and emerging business areas, company structure and new approach to business.

Who should read this report?
Upper-level management (business development managers, managing directors etc) of operators, contractors, service companies and financial institutions involved in the Asian upstream market.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c16115

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
e-mail protected from spam bots
Fax: +353 1 4100 980

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)

April 21, 2005

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Katherine Laforge Share a Common Goal

Gov. Schwarzenegger, among other high-ranking leaders, have demonstrated that they share many of the alternative energy views espoused by Senator Katherine Laforge on the urgent need to move away from our reliance on OPEC oil.

Ventura, CA (PRWEB) April 21, 2005 -- With oil prices at near-record highs this week, Senator Katherine Laforge, took the opportunity to speak out about the positive actions California has embarked upon to be more energy self reliant and less dependent on foreign oil. The energy issue is a major concern in California as indicated by numerous power outages and the fact that they have the highest average gas price of any state in the union.

Sen. Katherine Laforge praised Governor Schwarzenegger for his pledge to move towards creating “one million solar [paneled roofs” during his term as governor of California. Gov. Schwarzenegger stated: “I promised the people of California during the campaign that as governor I would push for solar power. Today, I am keeping that promise to harness renewable solar energy with the help of my friends… to create one million solar roofs.”

Sen. Laforge passionately protests the United States’ unquenchable thirst for oil and said,
“Our country has become the oil hog of the world, voraciously using more oil per capita than any other country in the world.” The United States uses twice as much oil per capita than any other country. She contends that we have become dangerously dependent on foreign oil in recent years. With the money the United States spends importing oil every year, it would be very easy and cost effective to develop and improve on existing technologies for wind, solar, BioDiesel, Thermal Depolymerization, and hydroelectric power.

Senator Katherine Laforge is expected to pioneer a key movement towards alternative energy both before, and after the next presidential election. Gov. Schwarzenegger efforts towards more solar power in California, is a positive step in her effort to make alternative energy a reality. In the Senator’s latest address, she focused on America’s over-dependency of foreign oil and expanded on the Governor’s plan by suggesting new programs to make us completely self-reliant through renewable energy sources. She said, "America has become a vassal state to OPEC. Our military men and women are offered as a serf army to the OPEC nations. We use billions of US tax dollars and the blood of our soldiers to preserve the power of these unpopular governments. Wind power and solar energy could quickly free us from OPEC’s shackles."

Sen. Laforge’s has made her belief clear that the energy problem should be a bipartisan issue solved by members of all political persuasions. Gov. Schwarzenegger, among other high-ranking leaders, have showed through actions that they share many of the views Senator Katherine Laforge espouses on oil and alternative energy issues. A major concern of Senator Katherine Laforge has always been the dream to implement an alternative energy program that would allow us to say “Hasta La Vista, Baby” to the tight grip the Middle East has on us.

Currently, the US spends three hundred billion dollars or more just to ensure that oil from the Middle East reaches us. This cost is not included in the barrel price that news sources use to gauge the current price of oil but you pay it in income taxes as the shipping charges for the oil to our shores.

Sen. Laforge proposes to, “…allocate a sum of money, equal in significance to the money budgeted to insure OPEC oil reaches our shores. A sum of that magnitude in billions of dollars should be used to create solar power plants, thousands of wind farms, thermal conversion processing plants, and pay for research on more efficient ways to use hydrogen energy. A billion dollars spend in that fashion would provide benefits for decades to come instead of simply being a one time fee to insure delivery of a shipload of oil.”

The United States government has failed to implement any policy that would seriously decrease our dependency on oil from the volatile Middle East and other foreign counties. President Bush released a statement last Saturday encouraging new energy legislation but nothing yet of any significance has been accomplished during the last congressional session. Sen. Laforge reminds her followers that it is the duty of elected leaders to find better ways to meet the energy needs of their constituents through alternative means and not by simply accepting the status quo or shoring up governments of friendly Middle East regimes. She hopes that concerned citizens will start grass roots campaigns insuring that bipartisan energy legislation is introduced that charts out a national move to reduce foreign oil dependency.

The Senator Katherine Laforge’s full platform may be viewed at http://www.hulagusweb.com/. She will be releasing her own book, “Hulagu’s Web – The presidential pursuit of Senator Katherine Laforge” in July 2005.

For additional information contact: Brooke Sikula.

Contact information:
Brooke Sikula
805-797-7484
805-482-2237
www.brookesikula.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:20 AM | Comments (0)

Leading Lighting Manufacturer, Sea Gull Lighting Products, Inc. Commits to Making Every Day, Earth Day

For the Environment, One Day is not Enough!

Riverside, NJ (PRWEB) April 21, 2005 -- Sea Gull Lighting Products, Inc. (www.SeaGullLighting.com) a leading manufacturer of functional and decorative lighting products, and Energy Star® Partner of the Year is reminding everyone that although Friday, April 22nd is the calendar date for Earth Day, individually and collectively we have the ability and power to make every day, Earth Day!

Business, organizations and consumers all play an important role in reducing harmful, greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our environment for future generations. For the past 15 years, Sea Gull Lighting has actively participated in the Energy Star program by dedicating its efforts to the development, refinement and marketing of hundreds of Energy Star qualified decorative lighting products.

According to Ace Rosenstein, Sea Gull Lighting vice president marketing and business development, "As a charter member of Energy Star since 1992 and honored Partner of the Year by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, Sea Gull Lighting has boldly pioneered the advance of energy efficient lighting as well as dedicated its resources to the promotion of the technology’s many environmentally-friendly and cost-saving benefits.”

Sea Gull Lighting currently markets over 500 Energy Star qualified lighting and ceiling fan products in a vast array of styles, colors and finishes to complement a wide range of decorative and functional demands of designers, builders, architects and home owners. Once known for green hues, humming and flickering, Sea Gull Lighting has worked closely with the EPA and others to advance fluorescent lighting technologies and fixture style making the latest Energy Star qualified lighting fixtures virtually indistinguishable from their traditional incandescent counterparts.

"I invite you to join me in celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Earth Day and take the time to reflect on our nation’s environmental accomplishments and recommit to challenges of the future", said EPA's Acting Administrator, Steve Johnson.

This year marks the 35th Anniversary of “Earth Day”. On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now 35 years later, Earth Day is being celebrated around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment.

Did You Know?
- Energy Star qualified lighting provides more light while using 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent lighting.
- The average home is responsible for more air pollution than the average car.
- If one room in every US household was brightened by Energy Star qualified lighting, the annual energy savings would be equivalent to removing more than 8 million cars from the road for one year.
- It’s easy to see that Energy Star qualified fixtures are a stylish addition to any décor. What you can’t see is that they use less energy with bulbs that last 6 to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
- The US demand for electricity is due to increase 28% over the next 20 years. And global demand will double by 2025.

About Energy Star®
Energy Star was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, the co-sponsored program between the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 7,000 organizations have become Energy Star partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.

About Sea Gull Lighting Products, Inc.
Headquartered in Riverside, New Jersey, Sea Gull Lighting Products, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of decorative and functional lighting as well as ceiling fans for residential, commercial and architectural applications. The 86-year-old company provides more than 3,500 product designs spanning 15 categories to a multi-national network of electrical distributors, lighting showrooms, furniture and gift specialty stores as well as various niche markets. These products are marketed worldwide under the Sea Gull Lighting®, Ambiance® Lighting Systems®, Monte Carlo® Fan Company, PGA Tour® Home Collection and Carolyn Kinder Lighting brand names. Sea Gull Lighting is also a proud partner of the EPA’s Energy Star® Program and was recently named 2005 Energy Star Partner of the Year. This is the second consecutive year that the company has earned this honor.

For more information regarding Sea Gull Lighting Products, please visit www.seagulllighting.com www.seagulllighting.com/EnergyStar or contact William Chelak at 1-732-541-2971 or e-mail protected from spam bots.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:20 AM | Comments (0)

Employers Baffled by How to Legally Handle Military Leave Requests: BLR's Free Audio Conference Explains the ins and outs

When employees have to take military leave their employers face serious responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Business & Legal Reports Inc. is offering a free audio conference recording featuring two expert attorneys who explain the ins and outs of this important and confusing law.

Old Saybrook, CT (PRWEB) April 21, 2005 -- It’s hard on the employee, who has to leave family and job for a military leave. But when a worker gives notice that he must go on active duty, the employer suffers too.

Fortunately employers can avoid the pitfalls of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by listening to a recent audio conference sponsored by Business & Legal Reports (BLR). It’s free with registration, and helps employers understand their responsibilities to employees under the federal law for military leave in plain English.

Employers must be up-to-date with USERRA requirements because employees who feel that their USERRA rights have been violated can go directly to court - without first filing an administrative action. If an employer makes a mistake, for example missing the latest notification requirements, it may have to pay huge sums, including back pay, attorney’s fees, and even double damages!

This streaming audio conference features two lawyers who are experts in advising employers on USERRA compliance – Steve Bernstein and Clancy Vettel Mendoza, a partner and associate, respectively, in the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips. They provide practical tips on how to avoid the pitfalls under this oft-misunderstood law. For instance, the requirements for healthcare insurance coverage depend on how long the employee is away: Those absent for 30 or fewer days are entitled to employer-sponsored coverage under same terms as when they were working. Those on leave for more than 30 days are generally entitled to COBRA-type continuation benefits.

Employers will benefit from practical guidance like this in this 90-minute conference, which includes a 60-minute presentation and a 30-minute question-and-answer session. Access it here: http://www.blr.com/82008400/PRS12

This audio conference was originally recorded on March 17, 2005.

About BLR
Old Saybrook, Conn.-based BLR produces plain-English compliance and training resources for HR, compensation, safety, and environmental managers. For more information about other audio conferences and a free catalog, call 800-727-5257 or visit www.BLR.com.

Contact:
HR.BLR.com Managing Web Editor Kevin Flood
860 510-0100 x 2283

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:19 AM | Comments (0)

OILspace Appoints New Chief Exec