NaturalGas $50, $160, $200 to $230 December 19, 2005.

Russia takes over the year–long G8 December 26, 2005.
Russia takes over the year–long G8 presidency from Britain in January. Putin has made his theme security of energy supply — which marries concern over Iraq with the Kremlin’s concerns about its control of Caspian oil reserves.

Russia’s energy minister earlier said no new proposals would be put forward. It wants Ukraine to pay market rates and is seeking a huge gas price rise. Gas monopoly Gazprom has threatened to cut Ukraine’s supplies altogether if new terms are not agreed by 1 January.
December 27, 2005.

China ups gas price on shortage fears. December 27, 2005.

Putin Agrees to Ukraine Gas-Price Freeze December 31, 2005. MOSCOW -- President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s state–owned natural gas monopoly Saturday to supply Ukraine with natural gas at the current price for three months, if the government in Kiev immediately agreed to a big price hike to take effect later.
Putin said in televised remarks that his offer was valid only until the end of the day. There was no immediate acceptance by Ukraine, which faced a Russian threat to cut off gas supplies Sunday morning.
...
Putin said OAO Gazprom should continue the current price if Ukraine signed an accord Saturday accepting Gazprom’s price increase starting in the second quarter. Gazprom has demanded Ukraine pay $230 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas — more than four times the current price of $50.

PG&E raises its gas, electricity rates January 1, 2006.
SAN FRANCISCO — Wearing a coat at home and using candles instead of lights may become New Year’s resolutions for many as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. plans another round of gas and electricity rate hikes that take effect New Year’s Day.
...
And under an energy conservation program, customers who reduce their cumulative natural gas usage by 10 percent from January through March will get a 20percent rebate on their bills.

This article from the Mercury News has more information. Decemeber 31, 2005.

Alternative Energy Gains Political Power January 5, 2006.

Europe desires homegrown power solutions January 7, 2006.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - The EU has a harsh New Year’s resolution to keep after a gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine led to official exhortations for Europe to look for a wider range of suppliers and energy sources.
...
Oliver Schaefer, a policy director at the European Renewable Energy Council, said Europe could generate 30 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2020 and become the most energy independent region in the world.
But he said officials are being short–sighted.
“We are basing decisions on gas–powered stations that run for the next 30 years on forecasts that say oil will cost $34 in 2030," he said. "Who believes that? I don’t, but I know what wind will cost and what sun will cost in 2030 — exactly the same as today.”

Calpine LNG project in Oregon now seen unlikely January 9, 2006.

Running out of time to buy LNG January 10, 2006.
CALIFORNIA may miss out on Australia’s liquefied natural gas because other global customers are quickly locking up supplies.

Gas deal beneficial to both parties - Putin January 11, 2006.
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia and Ukraine have found a mutually acceptable solution to the gas dispute.

Freezing Cold Spreads to Much of Europe January 23, 2006.
The bitter cold seizing Russia retained its icy grip Monday and severe freezing temperatures spread westward into much of Europe. More than 50 people have been reported killed by the cold wave in Russia, and scores of victims were recorded elsewhere in Europe over the weekend.
[Read the article to see how this article is a continuation of the energy story played out by the previous articles; otherwise, I would pretty much have to copy the entire article.]

Chavez warns about oil if U.S. cuts ties February 4, 2006.
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned Saturday he could shut his government”s U.S.–based refineries and sell oil to nations other than the United States if Washington decided to cut diplomatic ties, as relations between the two countries continue to worsen.

Chavez Threatens to Cut Off Oil to US If It Goes Too Far February 18, 2006.
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez has warned he was taking potential steps to cut off oil shipments to the United States, in the event Washington goes too far campaigning against his elected leftist rule.
“The US government must know that if it crosses the line, it won’t be getting Venezuelan oil,” the leftist leader cautioned late Friday, repeating threats he has made in his long, simmering dispute with the United States.

Chevron’s Deepest Well Holds Less Oil Than Predicted (Update2) March 22, 2006.
“Chevron Corp.’s Knotty Head discovery, the deepest well ever drilled in the Gulf of Mexico, holds about half as much oil and natural gas as originally estimated, said Nexen Inc., a partner in the project.”

Russia’s Oil, Gas Output to Fall Mid–Term — Economy Minister March 24, 2006.
Russia may face a production decline in the oil and gas industries that provide most of its budget revenues in a medium–term perspective, the country’s Economy Ministry German Gref said on Friday, March 24.

Venezuela oil minister says Exxon Mobil not welcome anymore March 29, 2006.
“Venezuela Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said Wednesday that Exxon Mobil Corp. was no longer welcome in the oil–producing country.” ... “Venezuela is the world’s fifth–largest oil exporter.”

Venezuela Urges Control of Oil Projects May 11, 2006.
“Venezuela’s congress, dominated by supporters of President Hugo Chavez, released a report recommending the state assume majority control of key heavy oil projects run by companies like Chevron Corp. and Exxon Mobil Corp. in its oil–rich Orinoco River basin.
Such a move, which Chavez has yet to publicly endorse, would bring all active oil–producing operations run by foreign companies in Venezuela effectively under state control.”

US ‘must beware’ rise in al–Qaeda oil strikes May 14, 2006.
“The US and its Arab allies must expect an increase in attacks on their oil infrastructure in the next phase of the war by al–Qaeda targeting the US economy, the former Central Intelligence Agency official who was responsible for hunting down Osama bin Laden warns on Monday.”

Chavez Uses Oil Profits to Build Political Power Venezuela’s President Uses Oil May 25, 2006.

At least 35 killed as oil tanker explodes in Benin May 25, 2006.
“Nairobi — At least 35 people, attempting to illegally siphon off petrol from a broken–down oil tanker, were killed when the vehicle exploded, according to news reports Thursday.”

Shell cuts North Sea exploration December 17, 2005.
“Shell said it took the decision after a review prompted by the chancellor’s decision to increase a charge on profits from 10% to 20%.”

Solar power ‘ideal for Gulf’ June 17, 2006.
“In any case, the importance of energy exports from the Gulf will increase dramatically over the years to come, and the less oil and gas the GCC countries use for their own consumption, the more they can stretch the lifetime of their most precious export good. This would also leave more oil as feedstock for their petrochemical industry, which is a crucial part of their diversification strategy. Tourism, another important part of the GCC diversification drive, is also heavily dependent on the availability of fuel: rising oil prices and delays in developing alternative fuels like hydrogen and methanol will lead to prohibitively expensive flights and declines in tourist numbers.”

Gazprom: Gas Deal Review May Cause Crisis June 23, 2006.
“MOSCOW — A pledge by Ukraine's prime minister–in–waiting to review a controversial gas supply deal could pave the way to a repeat of the New Year gas war with Russia that saw supplies to Europe temporarily disrupted, natural gas monopoly OAO Gazprom said.”

Oppostion rejects Kuwait increase June 24, 2006.
“The Kuwaiti opposition party intends to reject the government’s plans to increase oil production capacity in the country, according to agency reports. The move comes after recent reports indicated that Kuwait’s oil reserves are only half of what has been officially declared.”

Europe fears new energy crisis as Russia gas row flares Jun 27, 2006.
[Lots of statements to take note of, so go ahead and read all three (short) pages.]

Ukraine fears energy crisis as gas prices bite August 17, 2006.
“Ukraine may still face an energy crisis this winter, Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Klyuev said on Thursday, despite assurances from Russia that it will not sharply raise the price of gas supplies to its neighbour.”

Official Warns of Nationalizing Projects August 23, 2006.
“A Venezuelan congressman said Tuesday that four major oil projects in the Orinoco River basin should be under state control, and warned that nationalizing them is an option.
The remark by Rodrigo Cabezas, president of the National Assembly”s finance commission, comes after President Hugo Chavez and other officials have said the government is seeking a controlling stake in joint ventures with foreign oil companies that now run the heavy crude projects.”

Oil spill a ‘ticking time bomb’ August 23, 2006.
“The oil tanker carrying two million liters of fuel oil (also known as bunker fuel) sank in the waters between Negros and Guimaras islands in central Philippines last week, causing what has been described as the worst man-made disaster the country has ever faced.”

Chad orders foreign oil firms out August 26, 2006.
“President Idriss Deby gave the order to ChevronTexaco and Petronas in a tax row, the report said.”

Analysis: Bolivia’s gas nationalization November 1, 2006.
“Bolivia has completed the controversial effort to nationalize its gas industry, a process not nearly as drastic as many had feared, as several foreign companies will still operate under the watchful eye of the leftist government.
Shortly after the stroke of midnight Sunday, Morales signed a deal with eight foreign companies, including firms from neighboring Brazil as well as Spain and France, whereby Bolivia would increase its take from two of the country’s most lucrative gas fields from 50 percent to 82 percent.”

Amid political tensions, Russian gas monopoly plans to double price it charges Georgia November 2, 2006.
“Russia’s state-controlled natural gas monopoly said Thursday that it would more than double the price it charges Georgia, further heightening tensions between the ex-Soviet neighbors.
The Georgian foreign minister said the price hike was the cost of his nation’s turning away from Moscow and toward the West.”

Belarus signs gas contract with Gazprom December 31, 2006.
“Belarus and Russia’s natural gas monopoly signed a five-year contract for gas supplies early Monday, just hours before Russia had threatened to cut off supplies in a price dispute.
...
Subsequent years of the contract are likely to be even tougher. Russia long provided gas to ex-Soviet republics much cheaper than world market prices, but the contract with Belarus locks that country into an obligation to pay gradually increasing prices that will be commensurate with the world market by 2011.
...”