Oil and Energy: September 2005 Archives

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September 30, 2005

Petroleum Contaminants Recycling or Reprocessing: A Real World Documented Case Study

Filter protects refiner's catalyst beds and facilitates routing of contaminants back into system for reprocessing.

(PRWEB) September 30, 2005 -- A major refiner was considering installing cartridge filters ahead of a hydrocracker to prevent scale and other solids in gas oil from plugging catalyst beds.

They were extremely concerned, however, about high incineration costs for spent cartridges.

Ronningen-Petter (RPA Process Technologies) showed how self-cleaning filters would avoid this problem and save thousands of dollars.

What’s more, their team of engineers showed how the filter’s cleaning liquid and contaminants could be routed back to the crude unit for reprocessing into lower-end products.

The result? A money saving closed-loop system.

For questions about industrial filtration, please visit the Ask Filter Man forum at http://www.rpaprocess.com/Ask-Filter-Man-Blog.asp.

If you would like to discuss this filtration solution with one of our highly-trained Applications Specialists, please Contact us at http://www.rpaprocess.com/ContactUs/Contact-Us.asp.

http://www.RPAprocess.com

by Ask Filter Man

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:33 AM | Comments (0)

Southwest Communications Associates Tagged as Agency-of-Record

Southwest Communications Associates (SCA) has been selected to provide public relations and marketing services for Oil America Group Corp., an oil and gas exploration and development company based in Dallas.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) September 30, 2005 -- Southwest Communications Associates (SCA) has been selected to provide public relations and marketing services for Oil America Group Corp., an oil and gas exploration and development company based in Dallas.

Oil America Group develops various investment programs for oil and gas exploration and production on its own leases -- currently in North Texas and focusing on the Barnett Shale formation. The Barnett Shale was the largest natural gas producing field in the United States last year and is currently one of the hottest energy plays in the world.

Southwest Communications Associates is a Dallas-based communications company providing public relations and related services, including crisis communication planning and training, to a diversified client base. Additional information is available at www.sca-dallas.com or by calling (214) 821-6243.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:32 AM | Comments (0)

September 29, 2005

Unprecedented Increase in Mileage Reimbursement Rate from IRS in Response to Gas Prices: HR.BLR.com Editors Remind Employers of Law’s Requirements

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taken an unprecedented step: For the final four months of 2005, it has increased the optional standard mileage rate—the amount employers may deduct when they reimburse employees who use their own cars for company business. The boost comes as a reaction to soaring gas prices.

Old Saybrook, CT (PRWEB) September 29, 2005 –- In reaction to soaring gas prices, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taken an unprecedented step: For the final four months of 2005, it has increased the optional standard mileage rate—the amount employers may deduct when they reimburse employees who use their own cars for company business.

Legal editors at HR.BLR.com, the website for human resource professionals, remind employers what else they need to keep in mind regarding mileage.

The IRS announced September 12 that it would allow employers to deduct, without detailed documentation, up to 48.5 cents per mile for the reimbursement of employees who use their own cars for company business, retroactive to September 1. This is an 8-cent increase over the 40.5-cent rate in effect for the first two-thirds of the year.

HR.BLR.com editors note that:

* Employers may pay more or less than this amount, but if the approved rate (or a lower rate) is used to reimburse employees' automobile expenses, the IRS will consider its requirements for substantiation and adequate accounting satisfied—there is no need for extensive documentation of actual expenses.

* The employer may deduct reimbursements at a higher rate, but only if the reimbursements reflect the actual cost of the travel and only if the employer keeps adequate records to substantiate its outlays.

* Reimbursements for tolls, parking, etc., may be deducted in addition to the mileage allowance.

All employers should require employees who use personal cars for business to keep records of whom they went to see, when (time, date, and duration), and for what purpose, as well as the mileage and related expenses that were incurred. They also should have a policy that includes an explanation of those recordkeeping procedures, the reimbursement procedure, and a notice that reimbursements will only be made for company business.

For employers who interested in helping employees to conserve gas, Business & Legal Reports offers a free download: “Telecommuting: A Guide to Managing Employees.” Get it here: http://www.blr.com/82008500/PRS52

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

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

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:58 AM | Comments (0)

National Energy Center Urges Local Gasoline Buffer Stocks In Case of Natural Disasters

Oil Companies need to abandon "Just in Time" and begin again the location of local stocks of gasoline for buffers against natural disasters. Major cities need to ensure Hospitals have additional supplies for extended operations.

(PRWEB) September 29, 2005 -- Alan Simpson of the National Energy Center, Washington DC urged Oil Company leaders to move away from the “Just in Time” philosophy of consumer goods and go back to maintaining local stocks of gasoline and oil

“The desire to achieve higher profits and lower levels of capital tied up in stocks is an admirable economic plan for manufactures of computers, hair dryers and fancy goods, but not in the national interest when it comes to essential supplies of refined oil products.

"All predictions are that we are in a period of increased hurricane activity, and with the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico acting as a super charger we may see many more hurricanes attack the oil resources in the Gulf of Mexico. It would be worth a few cents a gallon extra to know there are local stocks to carry industry and the public through short term emergencies, without the need for the charade of price gouging and subsequent legal actions we see today,” said Simpson.

The National Energy Center recommends that besides local buffer supplies the major cities, such as New Orleans pre position a fuel tanker to ensure Hospital generators can keep running for extended periods, and that these emergency generators have the capacity for continuous operation, and not just short term operation. It is no use having millions of gallons in a Strategic Reserve, and on military bases and having the American public dying a cruel death in hospitals, as occurred in New Orleans.

If the public lose confidence in the ability of the Oil industry to supply them in an emergency they will begin to stockpile gasoline in their garages ready for a call to evacuate. This could have devastating consequences, especially in the event of a fire. Although illegal in most States the public consider it a better option than running out of gasoline and being stranded, as occurred in Texas.

The National Energy Center is being developed by Communication Links, Inc. the geopolitical intelligence company which monitors global developments, technologies, exploration and energy utilization, to create scenarios, solutions and recommendations for the energy needs of towns, countries, companies and individuals, as well as investment profiles for Hedge Funds, and investment managers.

The National Energy Center is at http://www.NationalEnergyCenter.com and Communication Links, Inc. at http://www.ComLinks.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:58 AM | Comments (0)

Power Shortage Problems Continue in the Chinese Electric Power Market in 2005

Dublin (PRWEB) September 29, 2005 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c24847) has announced the addition of Electric Power Market in China 2005 to their offering

The development of the power industry is very sensitive to the macro-economy. This is particularly true in China where three quarters of the electricity consumption comes from industrial demand. The Chinese government has carried out positive fiscal policies to increase investment in recent years. The domestic economic development is doing well. According to the National Electricity Industry Statistics Report, electricity generation in 2004 reached 2187 TWh, up by 14.8 percent YoY. However, the growth rate decreased 0.4 percent compared with the previous year. Nuclear power generation increased steadily and reached 50.1 TWh, increased by 14.1 percent YoY. In 2004, the overall electricity consumption of China was 2173.5 TWhs, increased by 14.9 percent YoY, which was the second high growth year following 2003 since China's adopting of reform and opening-up policy.

Power deficiency was the major issue in the electricity market in 2004, which was much more serious than 2003. In 2003, 21 provinces were reported to have power shortage problems while in 2004 the number increased to 24. The whole country was in a power shortage of about 10 million kilowatts while in 2004 over 30 million.

In 2005 power shortage problems continue. This report integrates a great deal of industrial data, facts and information concerning national policies, truthfully and objectively exhibits the current situation of China's electricity industry, and tries to forecast the industry trends.

This report analyzes the operation of China's power industry from 2001 to 2004, including general demand and supply analysis, regional market demand and supply analysis, analysis on power generation and development of grids. Also this report addresses the economic situations of China's power industry from 2001 to 2004, including economic indicators such as industrial scale, profits and efficiency. Related industries and circumstances are also included.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c24847

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
Fax: +353 1 4100 980

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:56 AM | Comments (0)

National Technology Transfer, Inc. Brings Energy Management Training to Major U.S. Cities

Strategies will be offered to help dramatically reduce a company’s rising energy costs.

(PRWEB) September 29, 2005 -- With energy costs at all time highs, a valuable 2-day seminar will show you how to develop an ongoing energy evaluation and cost model. The seminars will be held in four major U.S. cities: Chicago, November 3–4; New York City, November 7–8; Houston, November 10–11; and Las Vegas, December 1–2.

Learn what specific components have the greatest impact on reducing energy costs. Find out where you should focus to gain the maximum benefit out of your energy management program. Learn how to reduce energy costs by an additional 10%-20% annually through development of an integrated approach to managing energy price, demand and information Learn how benchmarking can assure sharing of energy related best practices. Learn how to better justify energy related capital expenditures and how to develop a comprehensive energy strategy then measure and report the results.

NTT has been the industry leader in hands-on industrial training for maintenance, operations and repair professionals for over twenty one years. NTT earned that position by providing clients with the most professional, value added, Hands-On training, from the most respected industry subject matter experts, on the latest equipment, for over 21 years.

NTT consistently earns a 99.6% satisfaction rating from clients. We have over 85% of the Fortune 500 training with us again and again! Without exception, NTT provides the most focused, information-rich industrial technical training available. With NTT you get the right training, the right way! Experience the difference!

For more information about where this seminar will be offered, please call 800-922-2820 or visit www.nttinc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:56 AM | Comments (0)

September 28, 2005

About 145 Petroleum Refineries Operate in the US, Owned by 60 Companies, With Combined Annual Revenue of $160 Billion

Research and Markets (researchandmarkets.com/reports/c24583) has announced the addition of Petroleum Refining to their offering.

Dublin (PRWEB) September 28, 2005 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c24583) has announced the addition of Petroleum Refining to their offering.

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:
About 145 petroleum refineries operate in the US, owned by 60 companies, with combined annual revenue of $160 billion. Annual revenue fluctuates substantially because of the shifting price of crude oil. The industry is highly concentrated: the five largest refiners, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, BP, Valero, and ChevronTexaco, hold about 50 percent of all US refining capacity.

Competitive Landscape
Demand is largely driven by US consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel, which has been relatively flat in recent years. The profitability of refineries depends on efficient operations, the best mixture of products, and well-controlled inventories. Although there are significant economies of scale in refinery operations, a small refinery can compete effectively with large ones if it's located in a favorable market area, or if it produces specialty products that are in high demand.

Products, Operations & Technology
Refineries come in many different sizes, from 5,000 barrels per calendar day (bbl/cd) of distillation capacity up to 500,000 bbl/cd. A typical refinery has a capacity between 50,000 and 150,000 bbl/cd.

A refinery turns crude oil into various usable products like gasoline, "distillates" (diesel fuel and heating fuel), jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants, and feedstocks for chemical plants. The variety of products a particular refinery produces depends on the grade of the crude oil input, the types of downstream processing operations it has, and local market demand.

Contents are as follows:
- Industry Overview
- Quarterly Industry Update
- Business Challenges
- Trends and Opportunities
- Call Preparation Questions
- Financial Information
- Industry Forecast
- Website and Media Links
- Glossary of Acronyms

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c24583

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

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:18 AM | Comments (0)

EMPACT Analytical Systems Names Ron Stites as President

Effective Sept. 25, 2005, Ron Stites, a veteran of the laboratory industry, became President of EMPACT Analytical. EMPACT provides specialty testing services to the Energy Industry. These range from Research and Development to Environmental Compliance. Mr. Stites has over 25 years of experience with some of the largest testing laboratories in the country.

Brighton, CO (PRWEB) September 27, 2005 -- Ron Stites, a veteran of the laboratory industry has been named President of EMPACT Analytical Systems. Mr. Stites brings more than 25 years of laboratory management experience to this growing analytical firm.

Mr. Stites was formerly the Director of Business Development for Severn Trent Laboratories – the largest environmental testing laboratory in the world. In that capacity he developed relationships with some of the largest industrial firms in the US. He was also charged with developing a number of international relationships – especially with multi-national energy firms.

Over the years Mr. Stites has served in a number of roles ranging from Business Development to Operations Management. He has been a bench chemist for a small laboratory and a Vice President for the largest testing firm in the US. He holds a B.S. Degree in Chemistry and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting.

Mr. Stites has written and presented numerous articles for the laboratory industry. Topics range from sources of pollution in the natural gas transmission industry to quality control in radiochemical analysis.

“We are very pleased to have Ron on-board with us,” said Jeannie McEndree, co-founder and CEO of EMPACT. “We have been watching his career for many years and are very excited to have someone of his caliber joining us at this time. We expect to continue our rapid growth under his leadership.”

For additional information on Mr. Stites or EMPACT feel free to contact Burl McEndree at (888) 637-0150 or visit http://www.empactanalytical.com/.

About EMPACT:

EMPACT Analytical Services is a Woman Owned Business serving the Energy Industry since 1992. EMPACT performs a wide variety of tests. These include natural gas, natural gas liquid and fuels analysis for payment and engineering purposes. EMPACT also performs a wide variety of environmental and specialty tests. EMPACT is considered one of a very few experts in the area of sulfur compound analysis.

Contact:
Amber Bueno
EMPACT Analytical Services
(888) 637-0150
(303) 637-0150 (in Colorado)
http://www.EMPACTanalytical.com/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:15 AM | Comments (0)

September 26, 2005

Autoway, A Practical Urban Transportation Mode for 21st Century

Acroscape releases practical examples and a roadmap for Autoway deployment, to illustrate Autoway as a comprehensive solution to traffic congestion, energy shortage, air pollution, and traffic safety. This will help government planners, urban architects, transportation engineers, real estate developers, and environmentalists to recognize a commercially viable urban transportation solution. This will also help corporate executives, investors and entrepreneurs to realize the business opportunities of Autoway as the transportation technology for the 21st century.

Reston, VA (PRWEB) September 26, 2005 -- Acroscape releases practical examples and a roadmap for Autoway deployment, to illustrate Autoway as a comprehensive solution to traffic congestion, energy shortage, air pollution, and traffic safety. This will help government planners, urban architects, transportation engineers, real estate developers, and environmentalists to recognize a commercially viable urban transportation solution. This will also help corporate executives, investors and entrepreneurs to realize the business opportunities of Autoway as the transportation technology for the 21st century.

Autoway is a personal automated guideway transportation system for passengers and light freights. This fully automatic system will take a passenger directly to his destination at a high speed without stopping or transfer. All the passenger needs to do is to tell the system where he wants to go. This will offer freedom of transportation to people from school children to senior citizens. While the guideway is less than 3 feet wide, Autoway has a capacity equivalent to 5 highway lanes. As for energy, the electric vehicle can use alternative energy sources and has an equivalent gas mileage of 500 miles per gallon.

If Autoway is so good, why has it not been developed for the market yet? It is often difficult for people to see the economical and social impacts of a fundamentally new technology. "When the first car ran on the street of Detroit, it was reported as a useless monster. When Wright brother’s airplane made their first flight in 1903, it did not attract much media attention. Now we need to convince governments, business leaders, and ordinary people that Autoway is our future, " said Dr. Wu, the inventor of Autoway.

The practical application examples will help people understand how Autoway can be used to solve the traffic challenges. A small Autoway network can meet the internal transportation needs of a corporate campus. Even a 20-mile Autoway will significantly reduce congestions in a metropolitan area. An example of the New York-Washington DC corridor will show Autoway as an ideal choice for passenger transportation in a regional corridor.

Automated transportation has been around for a long time. For example, the concept of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) has been proposed and some prototype systems have been constructed. However, the question bothered both enthusiasts and skeptics is how to make money. The examples will show that Autoway is a very profitable business.

Autoway will emerge as a transportation industry after automobile and airplane. Many traditional manufacturing industries in developed countries have suffered a long time of downturn with significant loss of jobs. For example, the US automobile industry has serious challenges with potential massive layoffs. Why not think forward and consider the opportunity of Autoway? The components of Autoway are existing parts and technologies in other industries. Many companies in the manufacturing industry are in a position to start the new business. This technology-based manufacturing industry will create millions of jobs.

A new transportation system is a complex engineering task. Many cities have a policy to use only proven transportation technology, and the dilemma is a new technology can only be proven by actually building it. We have tried to solve the traffic congestions using proven technologies for more than 30 years, and congestions have become worse. It is time to take a new approach. The roadmap for Autoway deployment will be a starting point. First, prototypes will be fully tested. Then experimental Autoway will be constructed for real deployment. Autoway standard and national Autoway network will follow. In 20 years, Autoway will become the major form of urban transportation. The time of oil dependence will be over. Traffic accidents will be reduced by 95% from today. In other words, this will save over one million of people a year.

Government support is very important to the development of the Autoway industry. The United States government had taken an active role in the development of canal, railway, highway, and air transportation in the past. This private-public partnership in transportation has given the country the high mobility and economic vitality. An early strategic thinking about Autoway will be rewarded with financial savings, better transportation infrastructure, and sustained economic growth.

Hurricane Katrina has revealed two problems of transportation: Emergency evacuation and oil dependence. It is time to think about an alternative transportation system that is available to people of all ages. In fact, Autoway has a much high capacity for emergency evacuation. As Autoway uses electricity, alternative energy sources can be used for transportation. This makes transportation less vulnerable to oil shortage caused by natural disasters, international conflicts, and terrorist attacks.

The article "Autoway, A Practical Urban Transportation Mode for 21st Century" is available at the website of Acroscape (http://www.acroscape.com/urbantran.pdf).

About Acroscape: Acroscape is an independent invention business focusing on fundamental technologies. For more information, please contact Dr. Hengning Wu at e-mail protected from spam bots.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)

Ras Laffan 3 Awards Engineering Procurement and Construction Contracts for Trains 6 and 7

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (3) (Ras Laffan 3) announced today that it has awarded the onshore and offshore Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts for Trains 6 and 7.

(PRWEB) September 25, 2005 -- Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (3) (Ras Laffan 3) announced today that it has awarded the onshore and offshore Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts for Trains 6 and 7.

The offshore contract was awarded to J. Ray McDermott Middle East while the onshore contract was awarded to the Chiyoda Corporation and Technip France Joint Venture (CTJV). Qatar Petroleum has a 70 percent equity interest in this project and ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited. an Exxon Mobil Corporation subsidiary, 30 percent.

Trains 6 and 7 will be built at the RasGas site adjacent to RasGas’ existing facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City. Feed gas for Trains 6 and 7 will be sourced from Qatar's North Field, which has natural gas reserves in excess of 900 trillion cubic feet.

The onshore EPC contract provides for the construction of two world-scale, 7.8 million tonne per annum (MTA) LNG liquefaction trains. The offshore facilities contract involves the construction and installation of two wellhead platforms and two offshore pipelines capable of producing and transporting the required gas feed stock. The Ras Laffan 3 project will take advantage of synergies with existing trains. The overall project (including LNG transport vessels and other investments) is the largest LNG project that has been announced and is expected to supply gas principally to the U.S., making Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil leaders in supplying the important U.S. natural gas market. Delivery of LNG to the U.S. is targeted to begin in 2008/2009 and will extend for over 25 years.

The award of the Train 6 and 7 EPC onshore and offshore contracts is another major milestone in Qatar's long-term plan to increase LNG exports from Qatar to over 77 MTA by end of the decade. The new trains will employ the latest technologies resulting in lower unit costs.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)

PennWell Offers Free Job Postings on PennEnergyJOBS to Energy-Industry Employers Affected by Hurricane Katrina

PennWell Corporation, a leading publisher and conference organizer for the petroleum, power and utilities industries, today announced that they will offer energy-industry employers directly affected by Hurricane Katrina free job postings on PennEnergyJOBS.

Tulsa, OK (PRWEB) September 23, 2005 -- PennWell Corporation, a leading publisher and conference organizer for the petroleum, power and utilities industries, today announced that they will offer energy-industry employers directly affected by Hurricane Katrina free job postings on PennEnergyJOBS. Launched in August by PennWell, PennEnergyJOBS is an online employment website dedicated to serving the recruitment needs of both energy-industry employers and professionals, and can be accessed at: www.PennEnergyJobs.com.

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, thousands of energy industry professionals in the Gulf region have been displaced. Many of these professionals have been evacuated to nearby states leaving energy employers in a position of having to rebuild their human capital. PennWell is contributing to this hiring effort by offering all energy-industry employers affected by Katrina the ability to post jobs on PennEnergyJOBS for free through the end of the year. This offer is being extended to all employers nationwide that have immediate hiring needs for energy professionals in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Posting resumes and applying for jobs is always free for job seekers on PennEnergyJOBS. Employers interested in posting employment openings should contact the PennEnergyJOBS sales staff at: 918-398-8026 or e-mail protected from spam bots.

Humanitarian aid comes naturally for PennWell, which established the Courage and Valor Foundation in 2002 to ensure that we as Americans "Remember Forever" the fallen firefighters of September 11th, and in their memory, recognize other firefighters who demonstrate that same courage and valor.

About PennWell Corporation
Established in 1910, PennWell is a highly diversified media and information company providing 45 print and online publications, 59 conferences and exhibitions, research, databases, Internet-based services and other information products to strategic global markets. In addition to oil and gas, these markets include electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, lasers, communications, computer graphics, information technology, control technology, electric power, water, fire services and dental. PennWell’s headquarters are in Tulsa, OK, with regional offices in Nashua, NH, Houston, TX, Seattle, WA, Fair Lawn, NJ and other U.S. cities. International offices are located in England, Germany, Russia and Hong Kong. www.pennwell.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:42 PM | Comments (0)

First Peak Oil Conference in New York City

First Peak Oil Conference in New York City www.petrocollapse.org. James Howard Kunstler, (The Long Emergency,) Jan Lundberg (Culturechange.org,) Mike Ruppert (Fromthewilderness.com,) Dr. John Darnell of Congressman Roscoe Bartlett's office.

New York (PRWEB) September 23, 2005 -- Oil experts and scientists will speak at a unique conference on the local and global consequences of Peak Oil.

Speakers include James Howard Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency; Dr. John Darnell, Science and Energy Advisor to Congressman Roscoe Bartlett; Jan Lundberg of Culturechange.org, former publisher of the Lundberg Survey; Mike Ruppert, author: Crossing the Rubicon, Fromthewilderness.com; David Pimental, Cornell University, and David Room, Post Carbon Institute. The Moderator is Jenna Orkin, co-founder of the World Trade Center Environmental Organization.

The event is sponsored by Culturechange.org and by Continuing Education & Public Programs, The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY).

It takes place at the Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist 40 E. 35th Street, New York, NY 10016

October 5 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Registration begins 8:30.

"As oil prices rise and crude oil supplies and refined products strain to keep up with demand, the peaking of global oil extraction is finally becoming acknowledged in the mainstream news. As Hurricane Katrina continues to hamper petroleum production in addition to devastating a large population and ecosystem, people are asking if this is a foretaste of the future of a nation that has failed to conserve energy," stated Jan Lundberg, a principal conference organizer who ran the oil statistics firm Lundberg Survey.

"Yet, the complete story on peak oil is still suppressed, and misunderstandings abound even among students of peak oil. The public remains in the dark about the vast array of consequences of this looming crisis. Political leadership is almost entirely lacking. Dishonest reporting by OPEC countries and major oil companies have contributed to the illusion that there is sufficient time before we 'run out of oil' to transition to a 'solution', whether it be hydrogen, renewables or an attempt to increase nuclear power, or some combination of the above," Lundberg added.

Approximately one dozen significant oil producing countries are past their peak in extraction and it is possible that world peak has already arrived (this cannot be conclusively determined until after the fact). The sudden effects of shortage are likely to hit the global economy within the next three years, possibly even as early as this winter. "With Hurricane Katrina, we have just seen what the lack of disaster preparedness can do. And the effects of peak oil portend an economic and social hurricane," said Jenna Orkin, the conference moderator.

At The Petrocollapse Conference the participants will ask:

What are we facing now as the economy prepares to hit the wall known as resource limits? Will growth suddenly implode?

What will be the effects of Peak Oil (a geological phenomenon) and petrocollapse (an economic and social phenomenon) on food supply and other services we depend on?

What is the role of the market in determining how severe will be the effect of shortage stemming from geological depletion?

Upon upheaval, deprivation, and a restructuring of social relations in a "new" local economics system, will we choose to create a sustainable culture?

Is there a "Plan B" to ease a transition to sustainable living in a world without plentiful energy and petroleum's materials? "It is up to us to find solutions that involve everyone in a spirit of solidarity," said Lundberg.

--------------------------

Please see http://www.petrocollapse.org for more information on the conference.

TV cameras should bring batteries as there are restrictions on use of church electricity.
--------------------------

Contact: Jenna Orkin, Moderator
(718) 246-1577 cell: (646) 267-1577
or: Jan Lundberg, Organizer
(215) 243-3144
http://www.petrocollapse.org/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)

KUA Power Crews Return from Gulf Coast

After nearly two weeks of working in the most adverse conditions, weary repair crews from Kissimmee Utility Authority returned home Sept. 22 from their hurricane relief mission along the Gulf Coast.

Kissimmee, FL (PRWEB) September 23, 2005 -- After nearly two weeks of working in the most adverse conditions, weary repair crews from Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) returned home Sept. 22 from their hurricane relief mission along the Gulf Coast.

The crews departed Central Florida on Sept. 10 bound for Kiln, Miss. where they assisted Coast Electric Power Association with power restoration in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Kiln is located approximately 13 miles northwest of Bay St. Louis, Miss. and 60 miles northeast of New Orleans, La.

The working conditions were extreme. The crews slept each night on cots set up inside a makeshift tent. They worked 15-hour days, starting at 5 a.m., and battled endless heat and humidity.

Most of the homes and businesses in the region were so badly damaged by flooding that they are not able to safely receive electric service. KUA crews restored power to approximately 1,000 customers but spent the majority of their time rebuilding an electric system that will someday serve a full customer load again.

The linemen from KUA included George Blair, Alan Burkhardt, Paul Fielitz, Eddie Gluc, Gary Guinan, Dustin Kelley, Logan Murphy and Luis Santiago.

Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

Are Hybrid Cars the Solution to Rising Gas Prices?

Gas prices are reaching all-time highs and drivers are infuriated. Are hybrid cars the answer to this economic crisis?

(PRWEB) September 23, 2005 -- “Consumers are buying hybrid cars,” reports NBC news correspondent, Anne Thompson. “Some because of high gas prices, others because hybrids are kinder to the environment. Either way, Americans are getting into hybrids.”

With gas prices setting all-time records and rapidly approaching $3/gallon in many US cities, motorists are outraged and looking for some relief. Though reluctant to embrace hybrid cars because of their higher price and relative short time on the market, these new breed of autos may be the best solution to the surging gas prices dilemma.

However, are they all they are proposed to be? Are they getting better mileage than conventional cars? How do they work and do they need to be recharged? These and many other questions are still on the minds of those who are hesitant to take the plunge and venture into territory unknown.

Andy Grant and Taylor Reid, authors of the eBook, All About Hybrid Cars: Maximum Performance/Minimum Impact, saw the compelling need for education on hybrid cars, so they wrote the book and launched the companion Website: http://www.AllAboutHybridCars.com.

“We ran a study and saw there was a tremendous demand for information on hybrid cars, but very little out there to educate consumers,” said Reid, an Internet marketing consultant. So she partnered with Grant, a professional writer and award-winning author. “I had to do a lot of research, because there was no one place that had all the facts,” Grant said. “We wanted to provide clear, current information that anyone who was curious about hybrid cars could understand.”

In their eBook, they explain that increased fuel economy is one of the primary benefits of purchasing a hybrid car. With continually escalating gas prices, hybrid cars seem like a sure antidote. “Along with better mileage and lower gasoline costs comes another savings in the form of tax rebates,” Reid said.

The new federal energy bill recently signed into law by President Bush encourages the use of fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles and offers substantial tax breaks. A report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy indicates that the bill states that high-efficiency vehicles, either hybrid or diesel, will receive credits on a sliding scale based on efficiency; the maximum credit for light-duty vehicles is expected to be about $3,400 for Prius-level performance.

“We put a calculator on our Website,” said Grant, “so potential hybrid car owners could estimate the total savings if they bought an [hybrid-electric vehicle] HEV, since the car costs more, but the savings in gas is substantial.” The calculator and a comparison chart of all the current hybrid cars can be found at http://www.allabouthybridcars.com/comparison-chart.htm.

“I don’t think there’s any other chart like this available,” Reid said. “Any time a new hybrid car comes on the market, we add it to the mix. This way, Website visitors can quickly compare one model to the other.”

Although the initial cost of buying a hybrid car over a traditional one is higher, the long-term savings will depend on how long the consumer keeps the car and what kind of actual mileage is achieved.

Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com suggests, “Anyone shopping for a car now should make the question of fuel economy a big issue, because the availability of oil in the future is uncertain. Don’t buy a car thinking it's acceptable today; one day it could be your hedge against high fuel costs.”

For an introduction to the basic facts about hybrid cars, Reid and Grant offer the free report: “7 Critical Facts Everyone Should Know Before Buying a Hybrid Car.” To order the report, go to: http://www.AllAboutHybridCars.com/eBook.htm.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

Leadership Development Training Essential For Increased Productivity

Leadership development program that is tied to business results is essential for companies that wish to boost their ability to innovate and execute as a competitive strength.

(PRWEB) September 22, 2005 -- “Leadership development that is tied to business results is essential for companies that wish to boost their ability to innovate and execute as a competitive strength,” states Anne Miller, Managing Director of A Miller & Associates.

A Miller & Associates provides executive team alignment, leadership development, strategy innovation and executive coaching services to clients such as Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard and Royal Dutch Shell. http://www.annemiller.net

“We have found that some of the biggest obstacles to corporations declaring and realizing bold ambitions – and to leaders acting consistent with their potential – can be found in our deep rooted behaviors of what we think is possible and safe in the corporate context.”

Anne and her colleagues base all their work on the premise that it is far “easier to act our way into a new way of thinking, than to think our way into a new way of acting.”

“One of the most successful programs for breaking down old ways of working and developing leaders while delivering bold results is our Action Lab. The Action Lab™ is typically used for trying out radical strategies, developing new ways of working, creating new commercial ventures or reinventing industry practices.”

The Action Lab can be a series of 1-3 day workshops or a dedicated full time commitment over 3-4 weeks depending on the needs and goals of the company.

When used for delivering major change inside a corporation, the Action Lab leadership program typically involves a cross-functional team drawn from all levels of the company - sometimes including customers, suppliers and even competitors. For early stage companies, it involves the founding team along with key partners, advisors and investors.

“Although the Action Lab initially generates a great deal of pressure, it has been found to create breakthroughs to issues thought to be intractable. The outcome then becomes a compelling example for subsequent opportunities,” continues Miller.

To achieve this type of corporate success several principles are fundamental to the design:

1: Create an environment that is safe enough to promote experimentation and learning but intense enough to foster a change.

The key here is to keep the team focused on the challenge. Regulate any distress so that the group does not become dysfunctional and handle conflicts

2: Evoke new behavior patterns using a compelling and real-life experience to stress the social order of the entire team that needs to work together and force team members to think outside of their comfort zone.

3: Get to the bottom of what really drives collective action by uncovering the "ground truth" the real business issues and commitments that exist when all the unspoken layers of assumptions are peeled away.

4: Foster a discontinuity in leadership approaches as a prerequisite for achieving a discontinuity in performance.

In the Action Lab setting team participants should not look to management for the answers but feel they have the freedom to offer their own answers to issues.”

For more information on leadership development programs while delivering bold results, strategic innovation and executive coaching please go to http://www.annemiller.net

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

Seven Courses Added to The Oxford Princeton Program’s Accredited Course Portfolio

The Oxford Princeton Programme Inc., the world’s leading provider of training solutions to the energy, commodity and derivatives industries, received National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) accreditation for seven of its instructor-led courses.

PRINCETON, NJ (PRWEB) September 23, 2005 -- The Oxford Princeton Program Inc., the world’s leading provider of training solutions to the energy, commodity and derivatives industries, received National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) accreditation for seven of its instructor-led courses.

Already holding accreditation for more than 50 of their courses, The Oxford Princeton Program complements the list with:
• Principles of International Oil Trading
• International Oil Trading – Advanced Techniques and Strategic Price Risk Management
• Electric Power Horizons – Using Scenario Planning to Manage Uncertainty in Energy Strategy Analysis
• The Synergies of Refining, Trading and Supply
• Tanker Ownership, Chartering and Operations
• Trading Operations within the International Oil Markets
• Understanding the International Petrochemicals Business – Technology, Markets and Economics

Delegates will earn eight continuing professional education (CPE) credits per training day, whether the course is taken in the U.S. or overseas.

NASBA serves as a forum for the 54 U.S. boards of accountancy and sponsors a variety of programs and services designed to enhance the effectiveness of its member boards. One of its most popular services is the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.

Developed in 1990, the goal of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors is to assist state boards and their licensees by identifying quality sponsors of continuing education for program development, presentation, measurement and reporting. The Registry identifies organizations that offer continuing professional education for accountants in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

“Earning the respect of powerful organizations like the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy reinforces the strength and value of our training,” said Clara Lippert, president and CEO of The Oxford Princeton Program, Inc. “As the energy market continues to impact all industries, more and more companies are seeking ways to make sure their employees are prepared and the company protected.”

ABOUT THE OXFORD PRINCETON PROGRAMME, INC
The Oxford Princeton Program, Inc is the world’s leading provider of training solutions to the energy, commodity and derivatives industries. In addition to PrincetonLive.com, which offers more than 20 energy and commodity web-based training modules, The Oxford Princeton Program provides more than 70 instructor-led training courses. Designed for all levels of expertise, courses include views of oil, power, liquefied natural gas and a variety of other energy, commodity and derivatives topics. For a complete list of courses and for other information, visit http://www.oxfordprinceton.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

September 22, 2005

Corporate Team Building Program and Leadership Development Training Essential For Increased Productivity