ORIGIN ENERGY LIMITED

Contact CFO moves to GM role at Origin

16 May 2012 | Sally Rose

Origin Energy has lured Contact Energy chief financial officer Mark Elliott for the role of general manager, commercial energy markets. He will start on July 2. Contact is looking for his successor.

Beach tips early first shale sales

16 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith and Perry Williams

APPEA | The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference and exhibition continues was at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Karoon tips July for farm-out deal

15 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith and Perry Williams

APPEA | Tuesday at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference and exhibition at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Clouds on horizon for LNG development

14 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith and Perry Williams

APPEA live | The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference and exhibition at the Adelaide Convention Centre will be where “the world meets Australian oil and gas”.

Origin forecasts red tape reduction

14 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Origin forecasts red tape reduction

Origin Energy has shrugged off the impact of rival liquefied natural gas projects from North America and predicted Australia’s regulatory regime may be eased as it develops its $US20 billion Australia Pacific LNG facility.

LNG operators really feeling the pressure

14 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | LNG operators really feeling the pressure

When BG Group revealed a $US5 billion blowout at its Queensland liquefied natural gas project in early May to $US20.4 billion, Australia’s growing reputation as a high-cost headquarters for building new gas supplies appeared to be sealed.

LNG projects drive QLD jobs growth

11 May 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 43 | LNG projects drive Qld jobs growth

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman yesterday welcomed Australia Pacific LNG’s decision to award an $800 million contract to Leighton Contractors to build gas and water infrastructure in the state’s south-west.

Company briefs

11 May 2012 |

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 24 |

Crown Ltd has denied either the company or its chairman, James Packer, have lifted their stake in rival Echo Entertainment Group.

Leighton wins $800m APLNG contracts

10 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Leighton Holdings has won two contracts worth $800 million from Origin Energy’s Australia Pacific Liquefied Natural Gas project in Queensland to build gas and water infrastructure.

APLNG wins $US3bn loan in LNG first

10 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

The US export credit agency Export-Import Bank has approved a $US2.95 billion loan to Origin Energy’s Australia Pacific Liquefied Natural Gas project in Queensland, its first backing for an LNG venture in Australia.

Pacific Hydro: power play of boutique scale

10 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | A power play of boutique scale

Renewable energy producer Pacific Hydro will rely on targeted, localised marketing of a tailor-made green power package in a bid to win customers for its new retailing business away from majors such as AGL Energy and Origin Energy.

Spanish solar giant to stay the course

09 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 09 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Spanish solar giant to stay the course

Global solar power operator Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has vowed to pursue ambitions to build a business in Australia despite major hiccups at its large-scale Moree project in NSW.

Bears bellow with BG budget blowout

07 May 2012 | Edited by Sarah Thompson and Anthony MacDonald

BG’s budget increase gives Macquarie Equities’ Adrian Wood further grist for his already bearish forecast of widespread cost blowouts across the LNG sector.

Price pressures in CSG

05 May 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Price pressures in CSG

Coal seam gas developers Santos and Origin Energy are likely to face increasing inflationary pressure at their Queensland projects after the United Kingdom’s BG Group revealed a $US5 billion blowout in its Gladstone CSG project.

Santos chairman presses for IR action

04 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 19 | Chairman presses for IR action

Peter Coates has criticised the federal government for its handling of industrial relations and called for Labor to act in next week’s budget.

Big four can’t afford the full cut

03 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Big four can’t afford the full cut

The first-half travails of ANZ’s Australian retail bank serve to highlight the realities that ensure the four pillars will not fully pass on rate cut.

Origin agrees major gas sales with GLNG

02 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Origin seals major gas sales with GLNG

Origin Energy has inked a major gas sales agreement with GLNG partners, a joint venture between some of the world’s biggest energy companies.

Company briefs

01 May 2012 |

PRINT: 01 May 2012 | PAGE 24 |

Struggling marketing and communications company Photon Group suffered a 6 per cent decline in revenue and an 18 per cent slump in earnings in the nine months to March on a pro forma basis.

Origin output up 8pc despite BassGas delay

30 April 2012 | Perry Williams

Origin Energy recorded an 8 per cent rise in production for the March quarter as volumes from the Otway Basin and its Australia Pacific LNG project offset delays from the producer’s BassGas venture in the Bass Strait.

Looking good, time to sell?

30 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Stocks are tipped to rise today but maybe it’s a good time to start selling. Merrill Lynch’s Tim Rocks thinks the S&P ASX 200 index will fall to 4000 by year’s end, down from its current level of about 4382.

Shell looks at links to rival LNG projects

27 April 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 15 | Shell looks at links to rival LNG projects

Royal Dutch Shell and PetroChina are considering feeding gas resources from their Arrow Energy venture into rival liquefied natural gas projects.

Origin Energy’s funding gap widens

24 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Following Origin Energy’s announcement of a $100 million cost overrun, Macquarie’s Adrian Wood has calculated the company’s funding position will tighten a further $50 million.

Yolla delays cut AWE guidance

23 April 2012 | Perry Williams

AWE has cut its 2011-12 production guidance to 4.7 million barrels of oil equivalent due to a delay in restarting production at Yolla gasfield in the Bass Strait.

Woodside, Origin tipped to gain from LNG deals

18 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony McDonald

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Woodside, Origin tipped to gain from LNG deals

Liquefied natural gas developer Woodside Petroleum may be enduring a testing time getting its projects off the ground, but the Perth company has been tipped as a chief benefactor from an impending wave of equity deals in the sector

Hybrid balance

17 April 2012 | Shaun Drummond

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 36 | Hybrid balance

Investors and companies are starting to agree on a compromise between debt and equity, but that’s not going to suit everyone.

Banks have their backers

16 April 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 20 | Banks have their backers

At a time when many investors are cautious about the major banks, Goldman Sach’s Katie Hudson notes they have proved rather resilient.

The ups and downs of LNG

16 April 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | The ups and downs of LNG

Companies ranging from Origin Energy through Santos, Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search have captured eye watering deals with customers in Asia on demand for liquefied natural gas.

BHP hits a hard road

14 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 43 | BHP hits A hard road

BHP has its finger on the pause button, threatening up to $US50 billion in spending on some of the biggest mining projects in the world, including Olympic Dam. How has it come to this?

Origin Energy solid on LNG project

13 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Chatter from Origin Energy’s road-show around US investors this week has revealed that capex for the $US20 billion Australia Pacific LNG project is a key area of focus.

Green energy absorbs heat

13 April 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 13 April 2012 | PAGE 16 | Green energy absorbs heat

Energy retailers may absorb up to $50 million in losses a year after the introduction of the carbon tax because of its impact on “green power” supplies being provided to over 750,000 customers.

Row over 16pc power rise

12 April 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 13 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Row over 16pc power rise

The NSW and federal governments have blamed each other for a proposed 16 per cent rise in power costs in the state that the pricing regulator said was due to the carbon tax and ­spiralling network costs.

Finding the sweet spot of CEO tenure on shares

11 April 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 34 | Finding the sweet spot of CEO tenure on shares

Poor equity market returns have triggered a spike in the number of chief executives exiting the business as disgruntled investors lose patience and become more demanding.

Companies briefs

11 April 2012 |

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 16 |

Norfolk Group has been awarded its first electrical and instrumentation works contract under a five-year framework agreement with Rio Tinto.

Gas sector to sprout asset sale options

10 April 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 17 | Gas sector to sprout asset sale options

Billions of dollars worth of natural gas pipeline and associated utility assets are expected to come onto the market within the next few years in Australia, providing a wealth of investment opportunities for infrastructure buyers and pension funds.

2020 vision is short-sighted

04 April 2012 | Damon Frith

It is not access to more reserves of gas that is holding back advanced manufacturing in this country – it is the cost of electricity due to government policy.

Origin buys into Chilean hydro project

04 April 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | Origin buys into Chile

Origin Energy has joined with Xstrata in a proposed $US3 billion hydroelectric power project in Chile that is reported to be the subject of local opposition because of its impact on communities, flora and fauna.

Company briefs

04 April 2012 |

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 18 |

ANZ has appointed Peter Davis as its chief executive for Japan. Mr Davis was previously global head of utilities and infrastructure.

Origin buys into Chilean hydroelectric

03 April 2012 |

Origin Energy has acquired a majority interest in Chilean hydroelectric power company Energia Austral from Xstrata Copper.

Origin’s $100m Sydney power investment

03 April 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Origin Energy will invest $100 million in several “tri-generation” projects across central Sydney that will provide the city with cleaner power.

APA gets gas over pipeline deal

03 April 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 64 | APA gets gas over pipeline deal

Mick McCormack has had plenty of experience bedding down tricky acquisitions, leading a successful growth strategy at APA Group.

APLNG close to sign-off with lenders

30 March 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Origin Energy’s Australia Pacific liquefied natural gas venture in Queensland is close to securing some substantial project financing, says one bank likely to be involved in the lending syndicate.

Energy sector set to beat coal seam gas hurdles

27 March 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 27 | Energy sector set to beat coal seam gas hurdles

Coal seam gas producers may have to pay nearly $1 billion in compensation to farmers and landowners over the next two decades if they use their properties as coal seam wells.

CSG producers could face compensation

27 March 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | CSG producers face $1bn bill

Coal seam gas producers could face a $1 billion compensation bill to farmers and landowners over the next two decades if they use their properties to well for coal seam gas.

Origin Energy (ORG)

26 March 2012 | Michael Hobbs

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 37 |

Origin Energy appears to have a good pipeline of activity in the second half, but the results of the Queensland election over the weekend could curtail some of that.

Utility sector to refinance $5bn this year

26 March 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Australia’s utility sector needs to refinance about $5 billion of debt this year, less than half the $12 billion of debt maturities rolled over last year, according to Fitch Ratings.

Farmers set to reap more CSG cash

26 March 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Farmers set to reap more CSG cash

Santos, Origin Energy and other coal-seam gas producers operating in Queensland will probably be forced to pay more compensation to farmers and other landowners.

Qld landslide puts CSG on shakier ground

26 March 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 22 | Qld landslide puts CSG on

The companies powering Queensland’s $70 billion CSG developments have been down-playing the impact of the LNP’s landslide win.

Chinese oil firms forage Oz for M&A

23 March 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 20 | Chinese oil companies forage Oz listings for M&A plays

The sharpening appetite among China’s national oil companies for overseas assets is expected to bring Australian-listed companies or their assets onto the radar for potential M&A.

TRUenergy taps US debt investors

22 March 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 30 | TRUenergy taps US debt source

TRUenergy has raised $US400 million in the US private placement market in a further example of utility companies’ increasing reliance on overseas debt markets.

LNG project costs in spotlight

16 March 2012 | Perry Williams

US engineering giant Bechtel says it remains confident it can keep a lid on costs at Queensland’s $50 billion liquefied natural gas industry despite infrastructure bottlenecks and tight labour markets.

Alinta switches on again

15 March 2012 | Kevin Chinnery

PRINT: PAGE 33 | Alinta switches on again

Only months before Jeff Dimery took over as chief executive of Alinta Energy in March last year, it was not clear if the Perth-based power and gas company could keep its own lights burning, never mind anyone else’s.

Texan surveys $50bn challenge in Gladstone

15 March 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Texan’s $50bn challenge in Gladstone

Dick McIlhattan may hail from Texas but these days his heart lies in Gladstone, Queensland. As head of liquefied natural gas operations for US engineering giant Bechtel, the company veteran recently took the plunge and moved permanently to the company’s rapidly expanding Brisbane office.

Baird will need to prove power sale worth it: MP

10 March 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 10 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | Shooters tackle Baird on NSW power sell-off

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird needs to convince minor party MPs to back his plan to sell the state’s electricity generators, one of the top policies of the one-year-old government.

Qld coal projects likely Greenpeace campaign targets

08 March 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 10 | Qld projects likely targets

Greenpeace is expected to frustrate the development of the Gladstone Harbour and a rail line linking new coal mines in the Galilee Basin with ports off the coast.

Resources step up to fight skills shortage

07 March 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 07 March 2012 | PAGE 18 | Resources step up to fight skills shortage

Recruiting farmers and building a training centre are just two ideas mining companies are enacting to try to find much-needed staff.

Brokers shouldn’t ‘push’ hybrids, says regulator

05 March 2012 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 22 | Brokers shouldn’t ‘push’ hybrids, says regulator

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has accused stockbrokers of putting commissions ahead of the interests of retail clients in recent hybrid securities issuances.

Blue-chip weakness gives investors sinking feeling

03 March 2012 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 23 | Blue-chip weakness gives investors sinking feeling

Blue chips are testing the faith of some investors as Australia’s largest and best known household names produce returns that have lagged the market.

AGL hybrids sought anyway

02 March 2012 | Sarah Thompson, Stephen Shore and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 18 | AGL hybrids sought anyway

Bids for AGL Energy hybrids are due on Tuesday and buyers have been told the offer size will not be increased.

TRUenergy in funding crunch on NSW power bid

01 March 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 29 | TRUenergy in funding crunch on NSW bids

TRUenergy is hungry for merger and acquisitions, and the Hong Kong-owned company will have to look at a range of capital raising options to fund any deals.

Arbib’s plum Senate seat up for grabs

29 February 2012 |

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 60 | Senatorial selections

The federal government has managed to change the subject quite nicely (thanks to Mark Arbib) from how the fractured caucus will work together to who the hell is going to fill the plum vacancy in Labor’s NSW senatorial team.

Producers primed for pumped-up oil prices

29 February 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 35 | Producers primed for pumped-up oil markets

Oil companies may have suffered from a drop in production but soaring oil prices are helping drive strong earnings growth.

Carbon tax hit threatens price blowout

29 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Carbon tax hit threatens price blowout

The head of Australia’s largest power generator has warned electricity prices will rise under a plan being considered to ration output in order to stay profitable under a carbon price scheme.

A Baird in the hand is worth ...

27 February 2012 |

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 52 | A Baird in the hand is worth ...

Retired pollie and now TTF Chairman Bruce Baird and his wife Judy Baird were feted by 250 friends on Friday evening at a joint 70th birthday bash held at the stunning Manly estate of the International College of Management Sydney.

Pacific Hydro challenges big power retailers

27 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | Pacific Hydro takes on big energy retailers

One of Australia’s largest renewable energy companies will start up a retail arm in a bid to break the dominance of the major retailers, Origin, AGL and TRUEnergy.

Origin Energy (ORG)

24 February 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

Deutsche Bank has retained its “hold” recommendation on Origin Energy, but lowered its price target by 40¢ to $16.35, after the company’s first-half profit result came in broadly in line with consensus.

Chief reasons for good times

24 February 2012 |

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 60 | Chief reasons for good times

Chanticleer | The peak in the profit-reporting season yesterday confirms there are rewards for chief executives who have well-articulated strategies and execute them well.

Origin boss looks to integration

24 February 2012 |

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 38 | Origin boss looks to integration

When Grant King talks up the migration of energy prices into Australia’s boom-weary real economy then you can pretty much bank on it becoming reality.

Origin profit solid but loses customers

23 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

Origin Energy beat analyst forecasts with a robust first-half underlying profit, but a larger than expected loss of retail customers may take some shine off the result.

Origin switched on for full year

23 February 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 46 | Origin powers on for full year

Origin Energy beat forecasts with a 61 per cent surge in first-half profit to $489 million boosted by its $3.25 billion acquisition of NSW power assets last year and lower spending.

Men of mere belief must become men of action

21 February 2012 | Catherine Fox

PRINT: 21 February 2012 | PAGE 50 | Men of mere belief must become men of action

Looking at most male board members on the ASX top 50, they’ve been to the same schools, married each others’ sisters and spend holidays at Portsea.

Resource leaders raise alarm on costs

18 February 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 18 February 2012 | PAGE 18 | Resource leaders raise alarm on costs

Resource industry chiefs have warned that construction projects worth more than $200 billion are at risk from a deterioration in industrial relations or declining productivity.

Tabcorp launches $200m hybrid notes

14 February 2012 | Jonathan Shapiro

Updated | Gaming firm Tabcorp is the latest high-profile company to raid the retail debt market, as a growing list of Australian firms seek to capitalise on renewed investor appetite for fixed income.

‘High-cost, low-productivity nation’

14 February 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 11 | ‘High cost, low productivity nation’

Exclusive | Australia is losing the battle to be internationally competitive and has become a high-cost, low-productivity country complacent about what is needed to secure its future prosperity, leaders of Australia’s largest companies warn.

Do the math on roadblocks

14 February 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Do the math

Tony Shepherd reckons Australia is wedding itself to a high-cost, low-productivity future.

Origin Energy may be better split

13 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

UBS argues Origin Energy’s share price could benefit from separating its Australia Pacific Liquified Natural Gas and utilities businesses.

CBA considers hybrid bandwagon

10 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 10 February 2012 | PAGE 24 | CBA considers hybrid bandwagon

With only days before three of the four major banks update the market, punters are betting at least one will announce a hybrid capital issue.

AGL weighing up merits of a hybrid

09 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 09 February 2012 | PAGE 26 | AGL weighs up merits of a hybrid

With hybrids seemingly a preferred choice for raising capital, speculation is mounting AGL Energy may be close to an issue as it looks to fund growth investments.

Companies briefs

01 February 2012 |

PRINT: 01 February 2012 | PAGE 42 | briefs

Higher oil prices boosted Origin Energy’s oil and gas revenue by 5 per cent to $198.8 million in the December quarter compared with a year earlier.

Origin oil, gas revenues jump on prices

31 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Higher oil prices boosted Origin’s oil and gas revenues to $198.8 million in the December quarter, 5 per cent higher than in the same period in 2010, despite a drop in production and sales volumes.

Mining projects surge defies pressures

31 January 2012 | Adrian Rollins

PRINT: 31 January 2012 | PAGE 8 | Mining projects surge defies pressures

The investment pipeline has swelled above $900 billion despite the disturbing global outlook as the nation’s reliance on the mining boom for growth intensifies.

No shortage of openings for indigenous Australians

30 January 2012 | Kevin Chinnery

PRINT: 30 January 2012 | PAGE 1 | No shortage of openings for blacks

Last week’s violent fracas by indigenous protesters in Canberra has dismayed business leaders who point to a historic shift that is taking place in indigenous job prospects.

Carbon plan floors emitters

28 January 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 28 January 2012 | PAGE 7 | Carbon plan floors emitters

Carbon emitters will have to pay a top-up charge once the local clean energy market moves to floating prices, if they plan to buy international units any cheaper than the floor price set as part of the government’s reform deal.

Conoco confirms Q1 start for Browse drilling

26 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

US major ConocoPhillips has confirmed that work will start this quarter on the delayed drilling campaign in the Browse Basin that should firm up gas volumes around the Poseidon gas discovery with Karoon Gas Australia.

Origin Energy (ORG)

24 January 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

UBS has left its “buy” rating for Origin Energy unchanged and maintained its price target of $17.74 following news that the company will push ahead with its Gladstone LNG project.

Origin’s King undeterred on gas expansion

24 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 24 January 2012 | PAGE 33 | Origin’s King undeterred on gas expansion

Origin Energy managing director Grant King has played down the risk that increasing environmental scrutiny of coal seam gas and escalating costs will threaten an expansion of the company’s $US20 billion liquefied natural gas project in Gladstone.

No fast track to success for APLNG

24 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 24 January 2012 | PAGE 33 | No fast track to success for APLNG

Grant King is confident that he can keep a lid on construction costs at the $US20 billion APLNG project in Gladstone but the reality is that first plant is only six months into a relatively tight four-year development timetable and proof of whether that confidence is justified is probably several years away.

Origin closes in on second train at APLNG

23 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Updated | Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips are closing in on a decision to add a $US6 billion second production unit to their $US14 billion Australia Pacific Liquefied Natural Gas project.

Fitch warns on funding risks for LNG projects

19 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 20 January 2012 | PAGE 37 | Fitch warns on LNG funding risk

Credit ratings agency Fitch has sounded a warning over the outlook for Australia’s oil and gas sector, citing concerns about the financial burden of new liquefied natural gas projects.

Large-cap stocks struggle

16 January 2012 |

PRINT: 16 January 2012 | PAGE 22 |

Broader sharemarket sentiment is expected to have a large influence on the price of energy stocks, Credit Suisse says.

Avoid CSG and LNG, says Moelis & Co

10 January 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

Moelis & Co hasn’t been too excited about coal seam gas and LNG; that was confirmed today as reiterated an ‘Avoid’ recommendation on the sector.

Company briefs

09 January 2012 |

PRINT: 09 January 2012 | PAGE 33 |

Diversified exploration company Cassini Resources is seeking to raise $3 million through an initial public offering of shares today.

Life’s a gas down on the farm

06 January 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 08 December 2011 | PAGE 37 | Dig it: miners find life’s a gas down on the farm

Coal and coal seam gas producers are buying up land – and to the surprise of rural communities are proving dab hands at farming.

APLNG fights back on CSG

05 January 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Origin Energy’s $US20 billion Australia Pacific Liquefied Natural Gas venture has become the latest to initiate an ad campaign in the face of mounting public concerns about coal seam gas.

ECM volume falls 30pc in 2011

04 January 2012 | Brad Hatch

Despite a strong start to calendar 2011, global equity capital markets volumes fell 30 per cent last year to $US628.3 billion, Dealogic says.

Companies briefs

04 January 2012 |

PRINT: 04 January 2012 | PAGE 33 |

Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Nev Power bought 117,000 shares for $499,590 in an on market transaction on December 30, a regulatory filing yesterday shows.

Schweppes needs gas, not pickets

03 January 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 03 January 2012 | PAGE 7 | Schweppes needs gas, not pickets

Soft drink maker Schweppes admits industrial strife at its Melbourne plant is affecting supply to customers but argues that a shortage of carbon dioxide is also behind a shortage of some of its products on the shelves.

Origin gas fired power station ready

03 January 2012 |

The first of Origin Energy’s two gas-fired generators is ready to provide electricity to the Victorian market. Completion of the power station's second unit has been delayed for an inspection during the March quarter.

Pain is all around for investors

30 December 2011 | Brendon Lau

The market looks set to finish the last day of the year in the black, but that will provide little comfort for investors as just about every sector is nursing a steep loss.

Energy stocks hit as LNG hopes turn to water

29 December 2011 | Brendon Lau

Energy stocks were the worst performing group on Thursday as worries about liquified natural gas prices and oil demand hammered the sector.

Retail bonds rocket on debut

23 December 2011 | Jonathan Shapiro

A trio of listed bonds and hybrids from Origin, Woolworths and AFIC have made strong debuts on the ASX

Leighton, Forge win LNG work contracts

22 December 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Two Leighton Holdings subsidiaries and Forge Group have won separate contracts for liquefied natural gas projects, one in Western Australia and the other in Queensland.

Origin hybrid lifted to $900m

22 December 2011 | Jonathan Shapiro

Origin Energy has taken an extra $100 million from shareholders and the public, increasing its retail hybrid issue to $900 million.

Here’s where Australia booms

17 December 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 17 December 2011 | PAGE 47 | Here’s where Australia booms

Little more than a pipe-dream 10 years ago, the pace and size of the natural gas developments at Gladstone have taken everyone by surprise.

Gas-rich PNG remains deadlocked

14 December 2011 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 13 | Gas-rich PNGon a knife-edge

Updated | Resource -rich PNG’s ballooning constitutional crisis remained deadlocked on Wednesday following the reinstatement of deposed PM Michael Somare.

Gas good but wind causes eruptions at volcano site

14 December 2011 | Jason Murphy

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 10 | Gas good but wind causes eruptions at volcano site

At the foot of an extinct volcano in Victoria’s long-established western districts, the small town of Mortlake is the epicentre of a new energy boom.

Emissions standards backflip

14 December 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 56 | Emissions standards backflip

Australia’s energy policy took two steps forward and one step back yesterday.

Origin Energy (ORG)

13 December 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 22 |

Oil and gas producer Origin Energy has seen its share price rise by 11 per cent in the past three months as its core utility business continues to grow.

Origin Energy (ORG)

13 December 2011 | Anna raissis

UBS has maintained its “buy” rating on Origin Energy and price target of $17.74 following news that Sinopec is taking 88 per cent of Origin’s APLNG project contracted output.

Origin moves closer to second LNG train

13 December 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 37 | Origin moves closer to second train

Teaming up with one of the top names in China’s energy business makes sense for the Australia Pacific LNG project and gives investors a confidence boost.

China’s Sinopec raises stake in Origin LNG project

12 December 2011 | Perry WIlliams

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 37 | Sinopec raises APLNG stake

Updated | Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips have not ruled out a further sell-down of equity in their Australia Pacific LNG after China’s Sinopec boosted its stake.

Top brass see two big sticking points

12 December 2011 | Michael Hobbs

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 15 | Top brass see two big sticking points

Influential directors say IR and the European debt crisis are the two biggest challenges facing companies in the coming year.

Lure of hybrids stays strong

10 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 42 | Lure of hybrids stays strong

Analysts at RBS Morgans were flabbergasted this past week when the recently listed Woolworths II hybrid notes reached $104.95.

Afternoon resources round up

09 December 2011 |

Legacy Iron Ore, Saracen Mineral Holdings, IMX Resources, Hillgrove Resources, Rey Resources, Gullewa, Carbon Conscious, Silver Lake Resources, Mount Gibson Iron.

ConocoPhillips is thinking big

09 December 2011 | Angela McDonald-Smith

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 40 | ConocoPhillips is thinking big

ConocoPhillips has revealed ambitions to use its Poseidon gas discovery in the Browse Basin to underpin a multibillion-dollar expansion of its Darwin LNG plant.

No two ways about it: hybrids are in demand

09 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 25 | No two ways about it: hybrids are in demand

If there was ever any doubt the Woolworths Notes II issue was the most generous public offer of 2011, its performance has put them to rest.

Conoco predicts more partnerships

08 December 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

US oil major ConocoPhillips has predicted an increasing trend of international partnerships along the lines of its liquefied natural gas venture in Queensland with Origin Energy.

AWE sells down Bass Basin stake

08 December 2011 |

Oil and gas producer AWE has sold down its interests in the Tasmanian Bass Basin joint venture and will pay a special dividend to its shareholders.

LNG men wary of costs, delays

08 December 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 08 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | LNG men wary of costs, delays

Queensland’s major coal seam gas ventures have vigorously argued against any toughening-up of environmental approval regulations.

Race on to beat gas glut

07 December 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 07 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Race on to beat gas glut

Australia has five years to take its $130 billion liquefied natural gas projects to market before a forecast supply glut hits, US contracting giant Bechtel has warned.

Afternoon resources round up

06 December 2011 |

Santos, Western Desert Resources, Stratum Metals, Acer Energy, Metminco, Terramin Australia, Northern Minerals, GBM Gold, Origin Energy, Xanadu Mines, Carabella Resources, Sundance Energy, Alligator Energy, Coalspur Mines, Eden Energy.

Wall St pares gains on rating changes

06 December 2011 | Anna Raissis

Before the Bell | US stocks pared gains overnight amid reports, since confirmed, that S&P has put euro-zone nations including Germany and France on “creditwatch negative” ■ S&P 500 up 1.1pc ■ SPI up 14pts.

APLNG puts funding on its Christmas wish-list

06 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacey and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 06 December 2011 | PAGE 20 | APLNG puts funding on its Christmas list

The Australia Pacific LNG financing has grabbed lenders’ attention in the run-up to Christmas.

Neon lights up the trading floor

06 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 06 December 2011 | PAGE 20 | Neon lights up the trading floor

Expectations are building around emerging oil and gas company Neon Energy if recent trading in the stock is anything to go by.

CSG miners ahead of regulatory curve

05 December 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 05 December 2011 | PAGE 18 | CSG miners ahead of regulatory curve

Caution is fast becoming the new mantra for the coal seam gas industry after the rush to cash in on the potential goldmine of gas.

Now even the giants can fall

03 December 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 03 December 2011 | PAGE 64 | Now even the giants can fall

Lurking beneath the shake-up in global bank credit ratings is a slightly scary view of the maxim that banks are ‘too big to fail’.

AFR gets pollies, bosses to engage

03 December 2011 |

PRINT: 03 December 2011 | PAGE 12 | AFR gets the pollies and bosses to engage

The business community came out in force for three debates hosted by the Australian Financial Review this week.

Executives cool on climate

03 December 2011 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 03 December 2011 | PAGE 8 | Executives cool on climate

Climate change sceptics have rallied behind outgoing Future Fund chairman David Murray, who argues there is not enough evidence to justify a carbon tax.

NSW extends fracking ban

02 December 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 03 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | NSW extends fracking ban

The NSW government has extended its temporary ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - by the coal seam gas industry for at least three months.

Origin ‘one step ahead’ of naysayers

02 December 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 02 December 2011 | PAGE 6 | Origin ‘one step ahead’ of naysayers

Origin Energy has dismissed calls by the Senate for a moratorium on coal seam gas development, accusing the committee of outdated recommendations.

PaperlinX in denial

01 December 2011 | Graham Critchley

PRINT: 01 December 2011 | PAGE 59 | X in denial

PaperlinX appears immune to criticism. Surely its investor relations has a watching brief over complaints about the stopped PXUPA distributions.

China could sink the surplus

30 November 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 30 November 2011 | PAGE 64 | China could sink the surplus

Plenty of swing factors could wipe out Wayne Swan’s $1.5 billion budget surplus for 2013 but none is greater than a downturn in China.

S&P hardens view on LNG projects

30 November 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 30 November 2011 | PAGE 51 | S&P hardens view on LNG projects

Energy producers face further downgrades from a powerful credit ratings agency as concerns mount over Australia’s $US150 billion pipeline of LNG projects.

Issuance strong as credit market winds blow

30 November 2011 | Jonathan Shapiro

PRINT: 30 November 2011 | PAGE 8 | Issuance strong as credit market winds blow

There’s still a month to run but the fourth quarter of 2011 has proved to be just as horrific as the three months before it.

Afternoon resources round-up

28 November 2011 |

PanAust, Metminco, Avanco Resources, Antares Energy, Whinnen Resources, Continental Coal, Encounter Resources, Cougar Energy, Central Petroleum, Rex Minerals, ABM Resources, Drillsearch Energy, Santos, Beach Energy, Origin Energy, GBM Resources

Taking notes of the risk and returns

26 November 2011 | Debra Cleveland

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 27 | Taking notes of risk and returns

Investors choosing between offers from Origin Energy and Australian Foundation Investment Company hybrid securities have some homework to do.

ABC under fire on CSG

26 November 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 12 | ABC under fire on CSG

The Australian Broadcasting Corp’s launch of a comprehensive website on coal seam gas has sparked a formal complaint from the head of the oil industry group.

Be wary of hybrids: ASIC

25 November 2011 | Jonathan Shapiro

PRINT: 25 November 2011 | PAGE 22 | Be wary of hybrids: ASIC

The corporate regulator has taken the unusual step of issuing a warning about the risks of investing in hybrid securities.

IPART tariff draws fire from solar producers

25 November 2011 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 25 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | IPART tariff draws fire from solar producers

NSW households and small businesses selling solar power into the electricity grid would be paid 8¢ to 10¢ a kilowatt hour if retail distributors accept an IPART report.

Sparks to fly over solar feed-in tariff

24 November 2011 | Claire Stewart

NSW electricity retailers are facing the prospect of paying a feed-in tariff for solar electricity produced by households and small business customers which is returned to the power grid.

Qld 'ignored rules' in CSG water dumping

24 November 2011 |

The Queensland government gave gas companies permission to dump toxic water into the headwaters of the Murray Darling basin, in breach of environmental safety guidelines.

Origin Energy (ORG)

24 November 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 23 November 2011 | PAGE 28 |

Origin Energy has staged a mini-recovery in its share price over the past two months, gaining almost 9 per cent, but it remains well down from its April highs.

Retail investors in the dark on credit ratings

24 November 2011 | Jonathan Shapiro

Comment | The spat between ASIC and the rating agencies has entered the realms of the ridiculous as the corporate watchdog forces a delay of Origin Energy’s retail hybrid.

Origin issue hostage to ratings row

24 November 2011 | Jonathan Shapiro

PRINT: 24 November 2011 | PAGE 16 | Origin issue hostage to ratings row

The on-going stand-off between the major credit rating agencies and The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has delayed the $500 million hybrid securities issue by Origin Energy.

Companies briefs

23 November 2011 |

PRINT: 23 November 2011 | PAGE 45 | cobriefs

Minemakers has secured a $15 million equity subscription facility with New York-based institutional investor Haverstock Fund.

Cult of equity is losing its followers

23 November 2011 | John McDuling.

PRINT: 23 November 2011 | PAGE 28 | Cult of equity is losing its followers

The bad news for investors is that a golden era for stocks – the past two decades – could be behind us. But what about the next 20 years?

Magic protest number can be far less than 25pc

23 November 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 23 November 2011 | PAGE 6 | Magic protest number can be far less than 25pc

The shake-up of the influential proxy advice industry has delivered some unpredictable results this year, often dependent on the shareholders involved.

Origin commits to wind power purchase

22 November 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Origin Energy has signed up for a long-term contract to purchase power from Acciona’s Gunning wind farm in NSW in what is thought to be one of the first such deals for some time amid a surplus of renewable energy certificates.

Santos queries need for coal seam gas committee

22 November 2011 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 22 November 2011 | PAGE 10 | Santos queries need for panel

Santos has broken ranks with its peers to hit out at a government measure requiring tighter scientific and environmental scrutiny of coal seam gas projects.

Afternoon resources round-up

21 November 2011 |

White Energy Company, Tap Oil, Cooper Energy, Austin Exploration, Orocobre, Talga Gold, Blackthorn Resources, Ampella Mining, Investigator Resources, Geodynamics, Origin Energy, Alcyone Resources, Jatenergy, Cobar Consolidated Resources, Southern Cross Goldfields, Avonlea Minerals, Black Ridge Mining, Carpentaria Exploration, Carbine Resources, Amex Resources, Celamin Holdings

Origin’s LNG deal not so good for Woodside

21 November 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

Origin Energy’s success in signing up Kansai Electric Power Co for its Australia Pacific Liquefied Natural Gas project may cost rival Woodside Petroleum for its Pluto expansion, according to Macquarie Equities.