Russia's first-half oil output up despite June slip

Top oil producer Russia is on course for its highest output in the post-Soviet era this year helped by new fields after a 1.1 percent rise in the first half of 2012, Energy Ministry data showed.

Russia is aiming to increase its overall 2012 crude production by around 1 percent after adding 1.2 percent last year to reach a post-Soviet era high of 10.27 million barrels per day (bpd), or 511 million tonnes.

Crude output in the first half of 2012 increased by 1.1 percent to 10.33 million bpd on average.

Shale gas unlikely to be the solution to the UK's future energy needs

Over recent years the UK has become ever more dependent on the import of gas to supply our energy needs, presenting risks for our future energy security.


In a presentation to the annual international conference of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in Edinburgh on 3 July 2012, Professor Mike Bradshaw, Department of Geography, University of Leicester, argued that a ‘perfect storm' of multiple failures is developing around UK energy policy.

Commenting on his research Bradshaw said: "There is a high degree of risk and uncertainty associated with every element of the UK's energy strategy - whether that's energy efficiency, renewable energy, or carbon capture and storage. Coming together these could result into an ever greater reliance of gas, at a time when its price is likely to increase because of growing demand from countries including China and India."

Some commentators present shale gas extraction as the solution to these future gas and energy security issues. Yet, Bradshaw does not agree, commenting that significant levels of exploitation are unlikely for many years, due to substantial logistical and environmental challenges.

"Shale gas is unlikely to be a game-changer in the UK" concluded Bradshaw.

New infrastructure solution will revolutionise electric vehicles

The TEV Project is an infrastructure solution addressing the growing dependence on cars and the global shift towards electric vehicles. TEV addresses the current limitations on range experienced by drivers of electric vehicles.

The TEV (Tracked Electric Vehicle) Project has created a new transportation infrastructure consisting of an electrically powered track, where electric and hybrid cars can travel indefinitely, without the need for charging. Electric cars and fleet will drive on a pre-fabricated, dedicated track under full automatic control. This will allow passengers to travel safely in vehicles at high speeds and in turn will enable vastly greater passenger carrying capabilities, compared with traditional motorways.

Mercury vapour from broken lamps brought to safe levels

Opening a package containing broken fluorescent lamps and/or CFLs presents a significant risk of mercury vapour exposure, potentially rising well above both the OSHA 8-hour permissible exposure limit of 100 ug/m3 and the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) level of 10,000 ug/m3.