What's really behind China's clash with Vietnam

Territorial conflict is an old story in the South China Sea, where several nations make conflicting claims on the region—and its oil and gas potential. But the escalating conflict between Vietnam and China is something new altogether.

Conflict in Iran would have disastrous consequences: India

WASHINGTON: Warning that any attack on Iran would be disastrous for the region, India has said that a series of recent media reports in the US have distorted its foreign policy objectives and energy security needs.

Enhancing Pakistan’s Energy Security

With an economy highly dependent on energy imports, Pakistan’s energy security challenges are a liability that is exacerbating the country’s already poor governance record. However, mounting domestic pressures and the global economic rebalancing led by China and India could provide the impetus for Pakistan to emerge as a more responsible energy stakeholder.

Gas prices will keep going up, but there are ways to keep the costs down

With tensions rising in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, the price of oil this week broke through $100 a barrel, its highest level for nearly two years. It's a development that has already raised concerns about the impact on global economic recovery.

But beyond these regional geopolitical influences, commodity prices are rising across the globe. Everything, from food to raw materials, appears to be on an inflationary path. Gas is no exception. Wholesale prices on the UK spot market doubled from 30p a therm in March 2010 to 60p by December. Forward prices for 2011 rose by nearly 50% over the same period. This dramatic shift triggered the recent increase in domestic UK energy prices.