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An end to fragile stability: The political cost of falling oil prices
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesFalling global oil prices, which have not risen above $50 since early January, continue to defy pundits. Now oil-producing countries are bracing themselves for an extended low-price scenario. The dramatically changed outlook is boosting growth forecasts across much of the industrialized world, but in other corners — where states have become increasingly dependent on oil revenues — the good times are over.
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US shale industry will survive new era of lower oil prices
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesIt's no secret that global oil prices have fallen dramatically from $115 last June to settle around $50 this month, a downward trajectory spurred on by oil cartel OPEC's November decision to maintain its own output. But is this the beginning of the end of the U.S. shale revolution, or just a bump in the road?
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Why falling oil prices don’t signify the end of the shale revolution
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesAs shale businesses fear for their survival and workers for their jobs, the future of the U.S. shale industry seems doomed. Oil prices have plunged by more than two-thirds over the last six months, and the feasibility of shale extraction has been put into question.
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Turkey reaps the rewards in the cancellation of South Stream
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesOn Dec. 1, the latest round in the European gas wars kicked off. The battle began in May when Russia snubbed European gas markets by signing away much of Siberian gas eastward toward China. A month later, Russia threatened Ukraine with shutting off its gas over this winter.
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The shale revolution and the American dream
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesLast week Americans sat down to celebrate Thanksgiving, an homage to core American values — of which personal freedom is one of the foremost. As some European countries rush to emulate what the U.S. "shale revolution" has achieved, I suggest that it is the very foundations of America that allowed it to happen at all. Even if the geology is right, those foundations will not be easily imitated in other parts of the world.
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Despite setback, approval of Keystone XL looks likely in 2015
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesTen months ago, I described 2014 as "decision time" for the Keystone XL pipeline. Now it looks like the change in political winds following the resounding Republican victory in the midterm elections will bring that decision closer. The bill may have narrowly failed in the Senate on Nov. 18, but Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper — Keystone XL's greatest champion — is about to gain some friends in Congress.
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What’s the real cause of falling oil prices?
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesDespite conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and Libya, oil prices have bottomed out since June this year. Falling by more than 20 percent, this phenomenon seems somewhat surprising given that many forecasts predicted otherwise, or thought at least that the oil price would remain close to its $100-per-barrel line.
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3 success factors for schedule risk analysis
Dr. David Hillson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFor most projects, it is important to finish on schedule. For example, it might be necessary to supply gas on a certain date that drives gas exploration and production, processing or pipeline projects. Or there may be liquidated damages for late completion.
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Will the Trans-Caspian pipeline ever be built?
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesTurkmenistan is home to the world's fourth-largest reserves of natural gas, making it an enticing source of gas for Europeans in an increasingly desperate quest to find alternative supplies to Russian gas.
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Characterize, communicate, influence: Science at our core
Lauren Swan Civil & GovernmentFred Boelter received the Henry F. Smyth, Jr. Lecture Award and was the first presenter Oct. 21 at the American Industrial Hygiene Association's 2014 Fall Conference. While many of the presentations from the previous day pertained to the future, this lecture instead relied on the past in order to form a clearer concept of what to expect in the future.
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