Energy Blast – April 4, 2012

The growth of Russia’s coal exports will be hampered this year by rail bottlenecks.  Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina is urging Russia to wean itself off of energy and natural resources revenue.  Chevron has promised to keep to seismic data surveys in Romania for the next 12 months in a bid to reassure the country that its plans to develop shale gas there will not harm the environment.  Brazil’s state regulator has approved TNK-BP’s acquisition of a 45% stake in 21 Amazon oil blocks.  Alaska has reached a settlement with Exxon Mobil which could pave the way for a $26 billion gas pipeline.