Member Info for romaron

But I think Ed's trip to China is off?

https://x.com/Malcolm_Offord/status/1896687643683156073

Now there's a role for Ed - head of the Boy Scout movement.

https://www.reuters.com/world/british-energy-secretary-visit-china-march-restart-energy-talks-meet-investors-2025-02-28/

I've a picture in my mind of Ed in his khaki uniform and shorts, adjusting his woggle and presenting Xi Jinping with the Chief Scout's Personal Award for China's service to renewables.

Good point monkey but we have more than one strategy. We're super efficient for old fields with the tax credits and merger attractiveness. Then there is Malaysia and also the tokenism of Pragma and what about SVT? But the real prize is :

Rosebank > Jackdaw > Bressay > Bentley.

Meanwhile Save Palestine and juststopoil start marching against weapon manufacturers.

Starmer updated Parliament this afternoon. Two very significant observations imo around 16.25

1. Absence of Ed Miliband.

2. Dame Harriett Baldwin - Conservative Chair of Treasury Select Committee asked if Starmer would take steps to "improve national security in this country by making sure the O & G we consume comes predominantly from this country?" - Starmer agreed that "she's right" and that "energy security is hugely important" and "the last few years show we have been far too exposed". The last comment is ambiguous but in the past a promotion of renewables would have been uttered or added.

My opinion is that Starmer has been given a reality check. Let's see if he is as pragmatic as they say and acts.

It is getting very interesting. I think Miliband will carry on his missionary work from the backbenches. He has never really understood his role. It isn't energy security that's for sure and in his mind the missionary position is to f*ck the British public with a mixture of gaslighting and pseudoscience.

I think Starmer preferred to keep Miliband inside the tent. With his [Starmer's] increased authority from recent events he may revert to pragmatism and save British industry. At least I hope so.

The NEW Director of the GWPF. This is practically an RNS announcement for the whole O&G industry. He will not be easily dismissed and more than a match for the ecomentalist and zealot Ed Miliband.

If it transpires will Miliband do the right thing and resign? He is even less competent and further to the Left than Anneliese Dodds but I doubt he has her principles (misguided or not).

Whilst here this surprised me from Doomberg regarding the damages claim by Energy Transfer Partners proposed Dakota Access Pipeline:

"ET was quick to blame Greenpeace USA and its parent organization, Greenpeace International, for much of what transpired. ET filed suit against both and several others in federal court, alleging racketeering and other charges. The racketeering claim was dismissed in 2019, but several remaining accusations were refiled in state court. After years of legal wrangling, the trial finally began last Monday in a North Dakota courtroom. On the line for Greenpeace is nothing less than its financial viability, as ET is suing for the incredible sum of $300 million in damages. Judging by behavior leading up to the proceedings and the particulars of the case, environmentalists seem rightfully concerned..."

Link here: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/FMfcgzQZTVqMPfzkXtgQTZCRnVMSznWL

not sure if it will work

Https://open.substack.com/pub/davidturver/p/reform-needs-to-reform-energy-policy?r=lx6e9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

David Turver is very impressive in person and at QA. He comes with a business background rather than a political or ideological background. He describes himself as a "Semi Retired Accidental Energy Analyst". I subscribe to Eigen Values. This is his linked in profile:

"After becoming very concerned about energy policy and how the Net Zero agenda is being implemented, I have turned my skills to become an accidental energy analyst.

Previously, I was an experienced business consultant and technology leader with 30 years strategic, IT and operational experience covering including Digital and Big Data to deliver transformational change and business value. Experienced across sectors including Professional Services, Financial Services, Construction, FMCG, Technology and High Tech Manufacturing F1 in both Public and Private Equity environments.

Over 15 years professional consulting experience in both client facing and support roles in leading companies including Accenture, Andersen and PwC and Kemp Little Consulting.

Over 10 years experience in line roles in industry, setting IT Strategy and delivering projects to utilise innovative technology to deliver value at McCarthy & Stone, the AA and Argus Media.

The role I perform best with clients and project teams is one of idea generation and integration – vertically between strategy, business design and delivery or horizontally across different competencies. In the role of consultant, business architect or program director, I have led the delivery of major business design, compliance and program delivery engagements for both small and large organisations.

Today I am using this experience to:

Lead the development of Kemp Little Consulting – a new type of consulting firm operating at the intersection of technology, law and consulting which provides services in the areas of:-

Business & IT Strategy

Intellectual Property Value Management

GDPR Compliance

Major Achievements:

Supporting a GDPR compliance programme for a large UK insurer

Leading role in transforming the AA from a £100m to £300m EBITDA through technology transformation

Transformation of the IT department and major business processes of McCarthy & Stone leading to a significant increase in value

Led the business architecture and design, delivery and launch of several new business ventures

Integration of new acquisitions as part of the AA and for a range of clients as a consultant"

"Ditch net zero

Other sacred cows must be led to the slaughter. The Foreign Office should insist on re-examining the strategic consequences of the pursuit of net zero.

Decarbonising transport and electricity can only be achieved by making Britain’s economy and society ever more dependent upon China, now Russia’s main strategic partner.

If our roads are filled with Chinese electric vehicles and our lights are kept on by Chinese-supplied solar panels and wind turbines, all requiring a constant flow of components, maintenance and operating updates from Beijing, how much would this compromise our energy security? Would it not be safer to buy fossil fuels from friendly countries?

China is underwriting Putin’s war on Ukraine by supplying the vital components of almost every suicide drone, missile and advanced munition that Russia fires at its neighbour. With this decision, China has made itself an accomplice to the biggest assault on European security since 1945.

How would it make sense for Britain to respond to this reality by handing China the ability to disrupt – perhaps paralyse – our national life? And if Russia knew that its strategic partner held this power over us, would the Kremlin be deterred or emboldened?" - Telegraph

INSTEAD

https://www.reuters.com/world/british-energy-secretary-visit-china-march-restart-energy-talks-meet-investors-2025-02-28/

That's 1 1/2 hours I'll never get back but seriously probably the best indication that we've turned the corner and EPL will be removed.

https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2898c512-1f29-4ef6-869a-e4ad86c5f298 - watch from 10:47

So different from the 2022 one where Caroline Lucas and Tessa Khan spouted slogans and lies. There was also this from the GWPF retiring Director Benny Peiser. He has been at the forefront of the fight against Eco-fascism since 2009.

https://mailchi.mp/bc9c455413ed/online-talk-the-molten-salt-nuclear-battery-13366132?e=35cf3821be

In this QA https://mailchi.mp/bc9c455413ed/online-talk-the-molten-salt-nuclear-battery-13366132?e=35cf3821be

I liked this particularly:

"A forced climate policy quickly leads to higher prices and economic damage. Protests from the population always follow. Given this, do you think it is inevitable that the EU’s Green Deal will fail?

Yes, it’s like socialism. Climate policy is also based on the idea that society and the economy must be controlled from above. The leadership determines what can and cannot be produced and which technologies are to be used. We are dealing here with classic socialism in green clothing – eco-socialism, which will inevitably fail and come to a tragic end.

Then there is no need for organisations like the GWPF. One could sit back and wait until this type of policy resolves itself.

That is true to some extent. But it is our job to bring about the necessary change of opinion as quickly as possible and thus avert further damage. And we must help to develop ideas on how we can get out of this mess."

And to cap it all the HYNs are up 25 pips today to 103.25

"Celtic FC made more profit in 2023 than Harbour Energy the biggest North Sea producer" - perhaps that's Jim Ratcliffe's cunning plan?

https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2898c512-1f29-4ef6-869a-e4ad86c5f298 (10:47)

But joking apart there is are encouraging signs everywhere you look. Harbour will be fine but I'm not sure how much commitment they have in the NS. Windfall conditions no longer apply and the UK is the last Western country to still have them. I was very impressed with the HBR representative Hebe Trotter and with a surname like that I'm not surprised. This Committee meeting was so, so different to the one in 2022 where Linda Cook was eviscerated. A lot has changed in 2 1/2 years.

HBR is a BUY imo. I'm not invested in HBR because I am all in on ENQ. I think removal of EPL is inevitable and soon. I am envious of your dividend. Good luck guys.

As you know Dumbly I'm addicted to the videos attached to these articles and I will listen to this one over the weekend. In retaliation I attach the following link which imo is one of the best explanations by an actual expert in the field that also uses layman terms. The interviewer is brilliant in coaxing the answers out of him and keeping the interview going.

https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2025/02/27/the-net-zero-lie-it-will-destroy-britains-economy-for-decades/

*credit where it's due. I think the UK did an excellent job in Washington yesterday.

"Miliband has refused to meet Unite's retired members and his local constituents publicly to discuss the findings. Instead, Unite will be handing the findings of this survey to the energy secretary in his Doncaster North constituency."

https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2025/february/winter-fuel-protests-to-demand-answers-from-miliband-in-doncaster

It looks like Teflon Ed has more important demands as a Secretary of State. Little people and retirees have never been his top concern. He'll never be confused with Zelensky. He's here for the ride.

I wonder if he'll be in?

Today's the day. Not to Putin but The Donald. They say that events change policies and the supplicant is our own Sir Keir. If they were equals why not meet at a neutral venue. The US and Russia met in Saudi Arabia (the fact that they are the 3 biggest oil producers in the world is coincidental).

To match the Don they need to think out of the box and get his attention. Being kind to Apache in the NS might be one option. In fact with further conflict in Europe without US commitment would put us in jeopardy. I imagine that the risk assessment team and the military have explained in quite easy to understand words to Sir Keir that warfare requires a lot of heavy machinery and energy that can only come from oil. That is why Hitler raced to Romania and Ukraine for fuel and ended up making oil from coal. In every conflict in the modern world energy has played a massive part. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour was for resources, especially oil.

I imagine there are advisers to the Ministry of Defence that point out that a tank run by solar panels or a sailing ship would have its limitations and batteries might operate drones but missiles and jets need a more powerful propellant.

Today could be the day when the lawyer finds out how the real world operates.

Caroline Lucas thinks security comes from gifting more aid. Listen to Matthew Syed educate her at 1:50 earlier this week. https://x.com/matthewsyed/status/1894654618602205504 Her face is a picture. She is a believer in 9X cheaper. Perhaps they'll adopt juststopoil tactics and sit in front of Russian tanks?

Out today. I wouldn't bother following this link:

https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/the-seventh-carbon-budget/

but if you do. DO NOT watch the video without a bucket for involuntary vomiting. NZW analysis was "it doesn't rise much above the level of fantasy." They were too polite.

" New divestments: targeting $20bn announced by end 2027; proceeds from strategic review of Castrol and bringing partner into Lightsource bp to be dedicated to strengthening balance sheet."

An absence of UK specific divestments that I was hoping for. It does reinforce the failed economics of renewables. I wonder if Labour would be happy if BP got bought out by a foreign buyer? Shell apparently is considered British .

This is an opportunity for a "kitchen sink" clearance so maybe more announcements in the near future?

Https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70ekknr2rwo

No surprise that it has Justin Rowlatt's footprint on it. Apparently the CCC is "the government's independent climate advisers". Be nice if there were some dissenters on the committee.

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” Upton Sinclair

This is the survey:

https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2025/january/pensioners-missing-meals-due-to-winter-fuel-allowance-cut

Https://surveys.unitetheunion.org/UFWE/doncaster-winter-fuel-feb-28

I attended a meeting on 20 Feb where this was discussed. At that time there had been no response from Ed Miliband.

The Chairman of the group wasn't hopeful that Ed would attend. I’d say that’s a disgrace but Ed is busy with his other job, fighting-fires by smothering conflagrations with renewable subsidies and promises.

If he is willing to ignore the biggest Trade Union in the UK he is hardly likely to listen to anybody else. Keir seems terrified of him.

Seriously if you wanted to cut bills you could save £100s in one easy step by moving green levies to taxation

And gas prices went up largely because of the EU storage mandate distorting TTF

Stop gaslighting people and do something that will actually help

https://x.com/KathrynPorter26/status/1894316152509042956

And Kathryn Porter does know what she's talking about. Miliband would be out of his depth in a puddle.

Belatedly catching up with today's Times I came across an article about BP and its travails. Not the article itself but two comments from a journalist, Dominic O'Connell, with a reputation to defend and top contacts. Scoops a speciality.

The first one “Auchincloss (the BP CEO} dropped the heaviest of hints at the results last week when he said there would be a “fundamental reset”.

The second “Next week is likely to see the production targets dropped, a jobs cull and asset sales.”

It would fit in with our delay and we had a very successful deal with BP and Magnus. A bit of a jump but the majors are famously adept at keeping their moves quiet. It would explain a lot.