Special Section: Energy: Energy Boom in U.S. Upends Expectations

BAGHDAD – Since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003, Iraq has become one of the world’s top oil producers, and China is now its biggest customer. China buys nearly half the oil that Iraq produces, nearly 1.5 million barrels a day, and is angling for a bigger share, bidding for a stake now owned by Exxon Mobil in one of Iraq’s largest oil fields. The Chinese had nothing to do with the war, but from an economic standpoint they are benefiting from it

Submitted by Daniel J. Graber of OilPrice.com,

By James Stafford, editor of OilPrice. Cross posted from OilPrice

Wolf Richter   www.testosteronepit.com   www.amazon.com/author/wolfrichter

INUVIK – The Northwest Territories is hoping a rise in demand for natural gas and a hike in prices will revive interest in the moribund Mackenzie Valley pipeline. “We need a route out of the territory for our resources,” Premier Bob McLeod told a petroleum show audience Tuesday. “The Mackenzie Gas Project could be that route, and it has already been approved, so we would prefer to see that project move ahead.”

A look at the implications U.S. energy independence would have for the economy, other types of energy, foreign policy and the environment.

The U.S. shale energy revolution is making its mark on global financial markets. Since the beginning of last year, the U.S. has steadily pared its petroleum trade deficit, ramping up exports and tapering back imports of oil.

ETF Database submits: Over the past few years, the number of ETFs tracking the alternative energy industry has soared; what was once just a few funds targeting broad equity and bond markets has now branched out into a diversified mix of ETFs offering exposure to almost every conceivable corner of the investable asset universe. One excellent example of this trend is the clean energy space, which is now the subject of dozens of exchange-traded products.