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British reserves of shale gas are being called a 'new North Sea' in terms of energy potential. A report from the Institute of Directors says that the economic benefits will be huge and that Britain could be 50 percent less reliant on foreign gas supplies within twenty years. VoR's Tom Spender has more. Shale gas could be a ‘new North Sea’ – meeting a third of Britain’s domestic gas demand, halving the country’s dependence on imports, boosting tax revenues and creating 74,000 jobs. That, at least, is what the Institute of Directors says in a report sponsored by the sector’s biggest company, Cuadrilla. Here’s Dan Lewis, energy policy advisor at the IoD: “The economic benefits are really quite clear because here in the UK we are faced with a scenario where our own North Sea gas supplies are going to go down which means tax revenues are going to go down. And we also have pretty unbalanced economy, most economic activity takes place in the southeast and that’s where most of the wealth is and we have declining other regional areas. “One area in particular – Lancashire – seems to be blessed with a particular shale gas formation called the Boleyn Shale, which is extremely thick, up to 6,000 feet in places. What this means, should we choose to exploit it, is that we could have something along the lines of a ‘mini-North Sea two’.” However, not everyone agrees that hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ – which sees water, gas and chemicals injected at high pressure deep underground into shale rock to release the gas – is safe or desirable. Tony Bosworth is campaigns director at Friends of the Earth. “This is an industry-funded report and it’s painting a distorted view of the benefits of shale gas in the UK. They are not mentioning that shale gas will have a major impact on local communities, it’s going to undermine efforts to tackle climate change and it’s going to do very little to tackle soaring energy bills.” Prime Minister David Cameron told a meeting of business leaders in New York this month that he was “pretty jealous” of the US, where a booming shale gas industry has seen gas prices tumble to 10-year lows. Tony Bosworth again. “We can learn from the US that yes the cost of gas has fallen but the cost of gas for domestic consumers hasn’t fallen. We can learn that it has had huge local environmental impacts and this isn’t something we want to be replicating in the UK. And the state of affairs there is very different – the geology is different, the country is much less densely-populated and they already have an established onshore drilling industry. All this means that in the view of Friends of the Earth and of many experts, what happened in the US is unlikely to be copied in the UK.” Nevertheless, the IoD’s Dan Lewis insists fracking is safe. “In terms of scientific advice, we’ve had clearance from a number of reports from the Royal Society, Department for Energy and Climate Change and a number of others that show that, if it’s properly regulated, it will be safe.” The IoD believes Lancashire could emerge as the centre of a British shale gas industry producing 1,121 billion cubic feet of gas per year, about a third of the 3,000 billion cubic feet the country currently needs. It says 400 wells would generate enough gas to power more than 10 million homes over 20 years and would see the cost of net gas imports fall from 15 billion pounds to 7.5 billion pounds by 2030. It bases these figures on an estimated recoverable shale gas potential of about 31 trillion cubic feet. The report comes as ministers are drawing up tax breaks for shale gas and the British Geological Society is poised to announce that Britain’s shale gas is bigger than previously thought. Tony Bosworth of Friends of the Earth again. “What we can’t say with any certainty at all is whether that figure is going to be backed up when further drilling takes place and how much of that gas is actually going to be extractable technologically or economically. Evidence from elsewhere in the world shows that the numbers fluctuate greatly and so what they say now might well not be the case in 10 years’ time.” However Nick Grealy, a pro-fracking consultant, believes shale gas production in the UK will begin as early as 2015. “I would only disagree with this report in that they are saying that it will really start ramping up in the 2020s. I think it will be in the late teens.” However, local opposition to shale gas is growing. In a report last month, the Energy and Climate Change Committee said residents near wells could get lower energy bills or even direct cash payments in return for dropping their opposition.

[PINN] http://www.pinn.uk.com/latest-news/institutional-investors

[PINN] Baronsmead VCT 5 plc,s Company's net assets as at 31 March 2013 were £31.26 million. ... and £ 75,000 was invested in Pinnacle Technology Group plc http://www.investegate.co.uk/baronsmead-vct5-plc--bav-/prn/interim-management-statement/20130517170317P7F02/ http://www.trustnet.com/Factsheets/Factsheet.aspx?fundCode=ITBDV&univ=T

[POL] Nimini update. http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11594471

[DRG] [SXX] [SXX] are pleased to announce that it has entered into a number of agreements with fertilizer distributors and manufacturers operating in the UK and Central Europe covering the future sales of Polyhalite from the York Potash Project. The agreements are framework sales agreements ("FSA") and set out volume commitments and a basis for cooperation between the parties, in relation to entering into formal sales contracts closer to the time of first production - as is the fertilizer industry standard. The volume committed to in the FSAs signed to date amounts to 310,000 tonnes per annum including 60,000 tonnes mainly targeted for sales in the UK. The agreements are with established fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, rather than trading businesses and will remain confidential at this time. The pricing structure is to be agreed at the time of entering into the formal sales contract based on market conditions at the time. These FSAs are in addition to the marketing agreement entered into with KEYTRADE AG for up to 1.75 million tonnes per annum. The markets covered by these agreements represent only a small percentage of the total European fertilizer market and highlight the opportunity for further sales across the UK and Europe. In addition to the above, discussions for polyhalite supply agreements in various forms remain ongoing with a range of customers including major distributors and fertilizer blenders around the world. While these discussions are at various stages and are confidential, should they reach a successful conclusion the total implied demand from these discussions including the tonnes allocated to the KEYTRADE markets would exceed the initial production target of 5mtpa from the York Potash Project. Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, commented: "This further customer endorsement of the market for polyhalite is just the beginning but demonstrates a clear need and market for this sustainable multi-nutrient form of potash. Customers both here in the UK and around the world are seeing significant agronomic value in our products and are encouraging us to reach production as fast as possible."

[SXX] The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY) ("Sirius" or the "Company") are pleased to announce that it has entered into a number of agreements with fertilizer distributors and manufacturers operating in the UK and Central Europe covering the future sales of Polyhalite from the York Potash Project. The agreements are framework sales agreements ("FSA") and set out volume commitments and a basis for cooperation between the parties, in relation to entering into formal sales contracts closer to the time of first production - as is the fertilizer industry standard. The volume committed to in the FSAs signed to date amounts to 310,000 tonnes per annum including 60,000 tonnes mainly targeted for sales in the UK. The agreements are with established fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, rather than trading businesses and will remain confidential at this time. The pricing structure is to be agreed at the time of entering into the formal sales contract based on market conditions at the time. These FSAs are in addition to the marketing agreement entered into with KEYTRADE AG for up to 1.75 million tonnes per annum. The markets covered by these agreements represent only a small percentage of the total European fertilizer market and highlight the opportunity for further sales across the UK and Europe. In addition to the above, discussions for polyhalite supply agreements in various forms remain ongoing with a range of customers including major distributors and fertilizer blenders around the world. While these discussions are at various stages and are confidential, should they reach a successful conclusion the total implied demand from these discussions including the tonnes allocated to the KEYTRADE markets would exceed the initial production target of 5mtpa from the York Potash Project. Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, commented: "This further customer endorsement of the market for polyhalite is just the beginning but demonstrates a clear need and market for this sustainable multi-nutrient form of potash. Customers both here in the UK and around the world are seeing significant agronomic value in our products and are encouraging us to reach production as fast as possible."

[DRG] [SXX] Update on the holding objection submitted by the Ministry of Defence to the York Potash Project planning application. Following a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Defence ("MoD") and RAF Fylingdales the Company has been informed that the MoD is minded to remove its holding objection to the York Potash planning application. This will occur following the successful agreement of planning conditions between the MoD, the North York Moors National Park Authority ("NYMNPA") and the Company which will allow for an on-going programme of monitoring to ensure no impact on the important facility. The Company has been informed during its recent meeting with the MoD that it intends to agree these conditions in advance of a planning decision for the mine planning application, which is due to be made by the NYMNPA on 2 July 2013. Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, commented: "We welcome the MoD's intention to remove the objection following the submission of extra technical information showing that RAF Fylingdales will not be affected by the York Potash Project impact.

[SXX] Update on the holding objection submitted by the Ministry of Defence to the York Potash Project planning application. Following a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Defence ("MoD") and RAF Fylingdales the Company has been informed that the MoD is minded to remove its holding objection to the York Potash planning application. This will occur following the successful agreement of planning conditions between the MoD, the North York Moors National Park Authority ("NYMNPA") and the Company which will allow for an on-going programme of monitoring to ensure no impact on the important facility. The Company has been informed during its recent meeting with the MoD that it intends to agree these conditions in advance of a planning decision for the mine planning application, which is due to be made by the NYMNPA on 2 July 2013. Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, commented: "We welcome the MoD's intention to remove the objection following the submission of extra technical information showing that RAF Fylingdales will not be affected by the York Potash Project impact.

[DRG] [MTV] http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11592042

[DRG] [URU] http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11591349

[DRG] [MTV] You might have to register to access the following links. But Mr Vincent's details are here by clicking on the People tab https://www.duedil.com/company/07193441/bv-associates-limited https://www.duedil.com/company/07746616/training4forces-limited

[PINN] http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2012/10/pinnacle-technology-group-preps-100mbps-wifi-for-cheltenham-city-uk.html

[QPP] Signed a new five year contract, with on-going maintenance and support, for its market leading ICE Challenger software suite of Policy, Claims, Analytics and Napier rating engine, with one of the top ten UK motor insurers. The signing of the contract follows a competitive tender and included extensive evaluation and proof of concept. The initial licenses and maintenance are worth circa £3.5million with multi-million pound service revenues and on-going support during the minimum five year term. The contract will see Quindell provide the insurer with a complete integrated technology platform for its UK operation. The initial benefits from the implementation of the Challenger ICE Solution Set will be significant indemnity spend savings and increased productivity and these will commence in the latter half of 2013. Challenger ICE Policy will provide the insurer with the ability to design and launch products within days if they so choose. The Quindell Challenger ICE Solution Set provides a fully web-enabled end-to-end policy and claims administration solution for all lines of general insurance business. The solution enables automation of current manual processes to improve accuracy, faster settlement and more effective customer service together with management information and real-time analytics to assist in managing the client's business. Quindell's software was recently recognised among the leading European providers of Insurance Claims Systems in Celent Claims Systems Vendors: European General Insurance 2012. Robert Thomson, Chief Executive Software and Consultancy Solutions Division of Quindell, said: "Quindell's strategy for technology has been planned over a significant period of time and is now having real traction in the marketplace. Our solutions can be implemented quickly, giving control to the business user to manage the system going forward. This contract for all of our technology components with such a large UK insurer validates our strategy. We are delighted to have the insurer as a customer and look forward to a successful implementation, providing them with the platform for the successful development of their business."

[DRG] [MTV] http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11589600

[SXX] http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11586886

[POL]. [GCM] The London based resource exploration and development company, draws attention to the announcements on 14 May 2013 made by Polo Resources Limited [POL], GCM's largest shareholder. As stated in their announcements, Polo has undergone a major change in management. Mr Michael Vee Mun Tang ("Michael Tang") of Mettiz Capital Limited has joined Polo as Executive Co-Chairman along with Mr Kian Meng Cheah as Non-Executive Director. Gerard Holden, Chairman stated: "We look forward to working closely with the new management of Polo Resources. We very much appreciate Polo's continued commitment to GCM and the Phulbari Coal Project. The Phulbari Coal Project consists of a world class coal resource, the development of which can provide significant benefits to all stakeholders."

[POL] [GCM]

[POL] Mettiz Capital Ltd.("Mettiz") (a company controlled by Michael Tang, Executive Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Polo), today acquired 31,738,775 ordinary shares of no par value (representing approximately 11.77 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary share capital) at a price of 40 pence per share. The trade was carried out off market in certificated form and the shares were acquired from Regent Mercantile Holdings Limited ("Regent"), a company owned by a trust under which Stephen Dattels, Co-Chairman of Polo, is a discretionary beneficiary. Regent remains interested in 10,759,592 ordinary shares or 3.92 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary share capital. Mr. Tang is now interested in a total 39,218,775 shares, representing approximately 14.55 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary share capital. Mr. Tang commented; "This is a turning point in Polo's development whereby the Mettiz investment group has obtained a strategic stake in Polo without dilution to Polo's shareholders. Polo has three important investments in coal, gold and oil and gas, all of which have potential to substantially enhance shareholder value in the next 18 months and as a result I consider that the current Net Asset Value understates the potential value of the Company's interests. "Polo has a 29.77 per cent interest in GCM Resources plc (AIM:GCM), which owns a large scale high quality coal project in Bangladesh. We will assist GCM in reaching an agreement with the Government of Bangladesh to obtain a "Scheme of Development" which will permit this world class project to be taken to production. "The Company has a 90 per cent interest in Nimini Holdings Limited which owns the Komahun gold project in Sierra Leone. Following completion of a 20,000 metre drill programme recently a new mineral resource estimate is to be published in June 2013. This high grade project has very favourable characteristics for development in a challenging environment for gold and we look forward to the Preliminary Economic Assessment following publication of the resource estimate. "Polo also has a 48.21 per cent interest in Signet Petroleum Limited with a Pan African portfolio of offshore oil and gas exploration interests. Recent results from the 3D interpretation of Mnazi Bay North in Tanzania and 2D interpretation of Block 2914B in Namibia's Orange Basin have been impressive. I am very excited about these developments and Signet's other concessions in Lake Tanganyika and offshore Benin and we are considering the potential for an IPO on an Asian stock exchange. "Polo has had an impressive track record as an investment company over the past three years paying 50 pence per share in dividends totalling $185.4 million and substantially outperforming many of its resource investment company peers. I am delighted that Mettiz has become the largest shareholder and look forward to accelerating the growth and development of Polo's exciting portfolio of investments."

[ITM] Participating in H2USA, the hydrogen infrastructure programme for the USA. The United States Energy Department yesterday launched H2USA, a new public-private partnership focused on advancing hydrogen infrastructure to support more transportation energy options for US consumers, including fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The new partnership brings together auto manufacturers, government agencies, gas suppliers, and the hydrogen and fuel cell industries to coordinate research and identify cost-effective solutions to deploy infrastructure that can deliver affordable, clean hydrogen fuel in the United States. Members of the H2USA partnership include the American Gas Association, Association of Global Automakers, the California Fuel Cell Partnership, the Electric Drive Transportation Association, the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, Hyundai Motor America, ITM Power, Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nissan North America Research and Development, Proton OnSite, and Toyota Motor North America. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, David Danielson, said: "Fuel cell technologies are an important part of an all-of-the-above approach to diversify America's transportation sector, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our competitiveness in the global market. By bringing together key stakeholders from across the U.S. fuel cell and hydrogen industry, the H2USA partnership will help advance affordable fuel cell electric vehicles that save consumers money and give drivers more options." ITM Power CEO, Dr. Graham Cooley, commented: "We have been working on developing our relationships in the USA for some time now and we are very pleased to be founding members of H2USA. We are looking forward to building on our relationships and entering the US market with our HFuel product."

[DRG] [MTV] Will be developing its Tablet Television technology to enable Freeview users in Britain to watch and record television programmes directly onto tablets - without the need to connect to the internet. This represents a strategic entry for the Company into the UK market. With Motive's app and an antenna-tuner containing Motive's technology, tablet users will be able to watch all the programming currently available on the Freeview platform. Motive plans to license its technology to third party consumer electronics companies who will make the antenna-tuners widely available. Tablet TV lets the user watch any broadcast TV channel anywhere, without needing a hotspot or fast Internet signal. Like Freeview to the home, there are no subscriptions needed and no interruptions due to buffering or network congestion. Further, with Motive's built in Tablet PVR, viewers can record any programmes and watch them later when they want, where they want for their own private use. Video viewing on tablets is rapidly increasing, with recent figures from the BBC showing that tablets have moved ahead of smartphones for its catch-up iPlayer service with 41 million requests in March 2013. According to recent predictions from CCS Insight, 1 billion tablets will be in use worldwide by 2017, and according to research firm Gartner sales of tablets are expected to grow 70% to about 200 million this year. Searching for content on tablets over the internet is currently a fragmented experience, using a variety of internet based (or OTT) services, such as iPlayer, ITV player etc. There is an increasing opportunity to provide easy-to-use live TV on tablets using the existing broadcast distribution network. Based on discussions underway with Freeview, Motive expects that its Freeview-compatible Tablet TV will: - receive all the Freeview channels available in the broadcast area; - offer a full 7-day 24 hour EPG with the Freeview look and feel; - have the ability to record directly onto the tablet (DVR); - enable features such as series recording; - optionally have social media integration (with an internet connection) Motive will seek approval for Tablet TV from the Digital Television Group and be D-Book compliant ("DTG", which publishes and maintains the technical specifications for Freeview in the UK), as well as Freeview branding for its new product. Motive expects to demonstrate Tablet TV for Freeview later this year. Leonard M Fertig, CEO of Motive commented, "Motive's experience in developing Tablet TV for the United States makes the extension to the highly successful Freeview platform to tablets in the UK a natural next step. We look forward to working with Freeview and its partners to complete the development of Tablet TV for the UK so tablet owners can enjoy Freeview whenever and wherever they want." Motive Television PLC is also pleased to announce that its Chairman, Michael Pilsworth, will be providing an update on the Company at the Proactive Investors One2One Investor Forum to be held at The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5EB at 6 pm on Thursday 16th May 2013.