ExxonMobil moves oil from Sakhalin
ExxonMobil, the oil group, said that it had begun the process of exporting oil from its Sakhalin-1 project off the shore of Russia. The announcement marks a key development in the group’s involvement with the project. Oil production from the project is expected to rise to a peak level of 250,000 barrels a day by the end of this year.
Resistance to Gaz de France-Suez deal
Dominique de Villepin, the French Prime Minister, said that the Government did not want to use special powers that would allow it to sweep aside parliamentary opposition to a planned merger of Gaz de France and Suez, the utility group. The proposed merger of the two companies faces strong resistance, with the opposition Socialists vowing to derail the plan.
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Amazon ‘will keep external trade links’
Amazon, the internet’s largest retailer, has unveiled its widely expected film and television programme download service. Amazon Unbox will offer content from six major Hollywood studios, including Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Brothers. The service will also offer content owned by CBS, Fox, Comedy Central and E! Entertainment, the television networks.
Asia ‘will keep external trade links’
Asia does not see itself ever trading in a closed bloc and will “continue to depend critically on its links to other parts of the world”, Lee Hsein Loong, Singapore’s Prime Minister, told the Lloyd’s of London City dinner last night. He said that the emergence of China and India as powers in the region was presenting challenges, as well as opportunities, for neighbours.
Microsoft says EU may delay Vista
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Microsoft, the US software group, said that a response from the European Commission on whether it will push for product design changes will determine whether it will need to delay again the release of Vista, the forthcoming update in its Windows operating system series. The company said that any demands by the EU would delay Vista’s European release.