LONDON/ WASHINGTON, May 17- A European probe into possible oil price manipulation expanded with the investigation of a small niche trading house in the Netherlands and a key U.S. senator on Friday called for the Justice Department to join the investigation.
WASHINGTON, May 16- The chairman of the U.S. Senate's energy committee asked the Justice Department on Friday to investigate whether alleged price manipulation by three oil companies in Europe has boosted fuel prices for U.S. consumers.
*European Commission has raided pricing agency Platts. The mid-sized trading company, which deals in physical oil products and owns storage facilities, was visited by inspectors from the European Commission on Tuesday.
*Investigators at Platts in London for third day. LONDON, May 16- European anti-trust investigators searched the offices of price agency Platts and at least one major oil company for a third day on Thursday, hunting for evidence of possible price manipulation on oil markets, witnesses said.
LONDON, May 16- European anti-trust investigators on Thursday searched the offices of price agency Platts and at least one major oil company for a third day, hunting for evidence of possible price manipulation on oil markets, witnesses said.
LONDON, May 16- On approaching his 60th birthday this year, long-serving Tullow Oil boss Aidan Heavey told staff he felt "like two 30 year-olds". Peter Voser is giving up one of the world's most challenging CEO roles at Royal Dutch/Shell next year, before his 55th birthday, in pursuit of a "lifestyle change".
*Rupert to take one year leave after September AGM. ZURICH, May 16- Richemont's chairman and founder will take a year off from September, leaving the world's No. 2 luxury group in the hands of recently-named joint chief executives at a time of faltering growth in the industry's key market of China.
LONDON, May 16- On approaching his 60th birthday this year, long-serving Tullow Oil boss Aidan Heavey told staff he felt "like two 30 year-olds". Peter Voser is giving up one of the world's most challenging CEO roles at Royal Dutch/Shell next year, before his 55th birthday, in pursuit of a "lifestyle change".
LONDON, May 15- A Hungarian ethanol producer said it alerted the European Commission over the role of price agency Platts in setting prices, feeding into an investigation of three major oil companies. Pannonia Ethanol, a recent entrant to Europe's ethanol market, on Wednesday became the first company to identify itself as having complained to Brussels.
*FTSEurofirst 300 closes up 0.7 pct at 1,245.66 points. LONDON, May 15- European shares scaled new five-year highs on Wednesday, led by gains for several major Swiss stocks after a fresh fall on the Swiss franc that should continue to buoy the country's exporters.
LONDON, May 15- A European investigation into alleged price rigging by major oil companies has drawn attention to leading price agency Platts and the way it sets oil price benchmarks. Authorities on Tuesday carried out a surprise inspection at Platts' London bureau as well as the offices of Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Statoil.
European shares were higher in early afternoon trade on Wednesday despite preliminary growth data from the euro zone missing estimates.
LONDON, May 15- A European investigation into alleged price rigging by major oil companies has drawn attention to leading price agency Platts and the way it sets oil price benchmarks. Authorities on Tuesday carried out a surprise inspection at Platts' London bureau as well as the offices of Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Statoil.
LONDON, May 15- Oil slipped towards $102 a barrel on Wednesday after data showed the euro zone's recession extended to the longest on record, while a stronger U.S. dollar and ample supplies put additional pressure on on the price. Brent crude slipped 42 cents to $102.18 a barrel by 1200 GMT.
LONDON, May 15- Oil slipped towards $102 a barrel on Wednesday after data showed the euro zone's recession extended to the longest on record, with a rising supply outlook also weighing on prices. Brent crude slipped 16 cents to $102.44 a barrel by 1005 GMT. Germany, the region's largest economy, narrowly dodged falling into recession thanks to a rise in consumption.
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 14- Global energy companies were strong bidders on Tuesday at Brazil's first auction for oil and natural gas rights in five years, alleviating fears that government intervention and growth in new global supplies might crimp enthusiasm for the South American country's oil sector.
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 14- Global energy companies showed strong interest early on Tuesday at Brazil's first auction for oil and natural gas rights in five years, alleviating fears that government intervention and growth in new global supplies might crimp enthusiasm over the South American country's oil sector.
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 14- Brazil on Tuesday kicked off its first auction for oil and natural gas rights in five years, gauging whether government intervention and growth in new global supplies have crimped the interest that followed discoveries of huge offshore reserves in 2007..