Energy Blast – May 10, 2012

Lithuania’s government has given final approval to a number of plans aimed at reducing its dependency on Russian energy, including a new nuclear power plant which could cost up to $9.10 billion.  This would apparently be the Baltic state’s biggest investment since the fall of communism.  Czech power group CEZ has announced plans to launch a tender to select a potential strategic partner for a two-unit expansion of its Temelin nuclear plant.  Reuters reports that European utilities re-exported a record number of liquefied natural gas cargoes in April to profit from the major difference in prices between Europe and markets in Asia and South America.  Small Chinese company Chzhunnen Oil Exploration has apparently struck oil in southern Kyrgyzstan.  Bloomberg examines new reports suggesting that Iran may be eradicating evidence of nuclear weapons work at its Parchin military complex.