Energy Blast – May 17, 2012

The Moscow Times has an in-depth report on the risks involved in digging for oil in the Arctic given that its ‘fragile environment and sensitive ecology present unique challenges’.  This report claims that Iran is installing more centrifuges in an underground plant but does not yet appear to be using them to expand higher-grade uranium enrichment.  Is the regime considering opening up to negotiations?  Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron Corp, Ukraine’s new partners for exploring and developing shale gas, will apparently start commercial gas production in 2017.