Author: Business Enquirer
Shell plc has agreed to sell a 20 per cent minority interest in its deepwater Orca oil and gas project offshore Brazil to the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), in a move that reconfigures the ownership of one of the Brazilian pre-salt basin’s most anticipated developments and underscores broader investment trends in global upstream assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Shell’s Brazilian unit, Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda., will reduce its working interest in Orca from 70 per cent to 50 per cent, with Colombia’s state-controlled oil company Ecopetrol maintaining its 30 per cent stake, and KUFPEC taking the…
Plans for a major industrial redevelopment on the former Parkside Colliery site in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside have received detailed planning consent, unlocking the second and largest phase of the project following earlier approvals for the first stage of development. The green light, confirmed by St Helens Borough Council, clears the way for a further 1.6 million square feet of logistics and advanced manufacturing space alongside more than 800,000 square feet already consented in phase one. Phase Two: A Strategic Expansion Detailed consent has been granted for enabling and infrastructure works that will support the expansion, with building designs to be settled…
The United States is poised to see solar power lead new electricity generation capacity additions through at least 2028, according to industry data and forecasts. New capacity from solar photovoltaic (PV) projects is expected to grow substantially over the next three years, vastly outpacing additions from other energy sources and underscoring a broader transition toward renewable energy in the U.S. power system. Analysis of recent data reveals that solar has dominated new capacity additions in 2025 and is projected to continue doing so well into the latter part of the decade, reshaping the resource mix and signalling fundamental changes in…
HG Construction has been confirmed as the main contractor on a £73 million purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Wembley, marking one of the largest student housing developments in the area and strengthening the company’s track record in high-rise residential delivery. The project will deliver a 609-bed PBSA scheme for developer YourTRIBE, and represents a continuation of the ongoing partnership between the contractor and its client. Landmark Development Near Wembley Stadium The Wembley student accommodation project — set within easy reach of Wembley Stadium and key transport links — comprises two high-rise towers of 19 and 27 storeys. The new…
Australia’s flag carrier Qantas Group has announced its intention to divest its 33.32 per cent minority stake in Jetstar Japan, marking a strategic repositioning of its international business and a transition to a fully Japanese-led ownership structure for the low-cost carrier. The announcement follows a preliminary agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) and outlines a phased transfer of ownership ahead of a full rebrand and operational evolution. A New Era for Jetstar Japan Jetstar Japan was established in 2011 as a joint venture between Qantas, Japan Airlines and Tokyo Century, with Qantas holding roughly one-third of the airline. Under the proposed…
A major international research effort exploring the ocean floor’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) — a vast swathe of the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii — has delivered both astonishing discoveries and stark warnings about the environmental costs of deep-sea mining. The year-long study not only documented the impacts of mining-type equipment on seafloor life but also uncovered hundreds of previously unknown species, highlighting the incredible biodiversity hidden thousands of metres below the surface. The findings, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, emerged from a five-year project involving marine biologists from multiple countries, who spent more than 160 days at sea…
A new study from RS Group reveals a concerning disconnect in UK manufacturing: while executives overwhelmingly recognise the importance of innovation, many are not turning that belief into strategic action. The research — based on a survey of industry decision-makers — finds UK manufacturers are confident about innovation but struggle to operationalise it, a gap that could undermine competitiveness both domestically and against European rivals. A Strong Belief in Innovation — But Limited Strategic Execution Across the UK manufacturing sector, 100 % of senior leaders surveyed agree innovation is vital for competitiveness. But when it comes to execution, the picture…
The European Commission has announced a significant €650 million investment package to strengthen the continent’s energy infrastructure, with funding directed toward strategic cross-border electricity and hydrogen projects that will enhance energy security, resilience and the integration of renewable sources across the European Union. This allocation comes from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a long-standing funding programme designed to support trans-European infrastructure in energy, transport and digital sectors. The latest tranche marks a strategic step in bolstering networks that underpin not only climate objectives but also grid reliability in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Prioritising Renewables and Resilience Of the…
London’s elite residents have scored a decisive legal victory that could have far-reaching implications for construction firms and developers across the UK property market. A High Court judge has ruled in favour of Laing O’Rourke Construction South Limited’s clients at One Hyde Park, one of London’s most exclusive residential complexes, ordering the company to pay £35.1 million in damages related to defective pipework and structural issues. The ruling, handed down earlier this week in the UK capital, marks a rare and significant win for freeholders in a protracted construction dispute. A High-Profile Legal Battle Over Construction Failings The case centres…
Private aviation across the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a significant upswing in demand, fuelled by economic growth, expanding wealth, and changing travel patterns among business leaders and high-net-worth individuals. At the heart of this momentum is a region that stretches from the mature markets of Australasia and Japan to rapidly expanding hubs in Southeast Asia and India. The recent Singapore Airshow — long acknowledged as Asia’s flagship aerospace event — has become a focal point for business-aviation manufacturers, charter operators and service providers to display their latest aircraft and strategies to a growing pool of customers. A Diverse Market with…