Sir Richard Branson today claimed aviation could be made “truly sustainable” at the launch of test flight fuelled in part by coconut oil. But the Virgin boss conceded that meaningful supplies of alternative fuel might not be available before the advent of peak oil, which he said could happen within six years. (more…)...

(Podcast) Biofuel can be produced without clearing rainforest, raising CO2 emissions or displacing food production, according to the chief executive of D1 Oils, the British company pioneering oil from jatropha curcas in the developing world. And according to Elliott Mannis, the fuel could even work out cheaper than damaging first generation biofuels. (more…)...

(Podcast) The world will have to suffer a deep economic downturn before serious attempts are made to kick the oil habit, according to the chairman of PFC Energy, the Washington based oil consultancy. (more…)...

First published in International Hydrographic & Seismic Search Magazine, February 2008 The launch of International Hydrographic & Seismic Search Magazine raises an interesting question: have the publishers taken leave of their senses? (more…)...

BP chief executive Tony Hayward stressed the company's commitment to the North Sea during its results press conference yesterday, saying it would continue to produce there "until we put the lights out". (more…)...

Coal prices are predicted to hit $300 per tonne this week, a threefold rise that eclipses even the most bullish forecasts made just a few days ago. (more…)...

All of a sudden coal, so long the Cinderella of fossil fuels, is not just in demand but in desperately short supply. (more…)...