Here is a sample of the stories that made the news that are highlighted in this edition of Talking Energy
Oil explorers idled rigs in U.S. fields for the 21st straight week, extending an unprecedented retreat in drilling that has curbed domestic output and helped crude prices rally. Rigs targeting oil in the U.S. declined by 24 to 679, Baker Hughes Inc. said on its website Friday, the lowest level since September 2010. Those seeking gas fell by three to 222, the Houston-based field services company said. The total U.S. count, which includes four miscellaneous rigs, slipped by 27 to 905. From: Bloomberg
Fossil fuel companies enjoy far greater access to UK government ministers than renewable energy companies or climate campaigns, an analysis by the Guardian has revealed. Shell, the fossil fuel multi-national, has had at least 112 meetings with ministers since the last general election, and its rival, BP, at least 79 meetings. But this outweighs the number of meetings that ministers granted to renewable energy companies. From The Guardian
Venezuela says it will cut the working day for public sector workers to five-and-ahalf
hours to conserve energy, down from eight to nine hours. The initiative is part
of a nationwide electricity rationing plan. Vice-President Jorge Arreaza said there
had been a surge in energy demand due to extremely hot weather. He said state
employees would now work from 07:30-13:00 to save on air conditioning. From BBC
