Oil prices rising, hurricanes stopping oil production, good alternative energy source (probably long term), fundamentals look good (if I have read my balance sheets correctly). Maybe has some potential? What do you think peeps?

P

Thanks FT, much what I was thinking. I still think the green thing is an election stunt in the UK, but not so in Germany etc.

I'll keep on my watch list for now.

P

Fair point, and I do see the risk expressed in time of holding the stock.
In Europe Energy prices are still rising, which is why the discussion about nuclear energy is back. (Even in the UK).
My German sources tell me, that they expect more electricity shortages over the next few years.
Would not surprise me to see the same in UK.

Bought back in today, sub 12p.
Been in a rough 10-12p range for ages, with lots of upside on the chart if it can break north, which I am expecting to happen in 2005 based on fundamentals.
Today's buy note in UK-Analyst just prompted me not to dawdle too long.

it has been mentioned in the Sunday times, by one of the Fundmanagers. Was he talking his booK? Possible. the discussion about CO 2 emissions might help.

United Kingdom

Under contract to Alkane Energy PLC (formerly Coalgas UK, PLC), RRR determined methane reserves contained in abandoned underground coal mines within the Alkane license areas in the U.K. Alkane seeks to establish numerous sites above abandoned coal mine workings that will draw medium heating value gas from the mine void space for use as fuel for local industry, or for generating power through the use of internal combustion engines for distribution through the electric grid. We performed simulation modeling of methane emissions from these mines using computational fluid dynamics software (PORFLOWTM). RRR also prepared production rate schedules and determined cash flow projections that Alkane is using in business planning and capital solicitation.

OLD BUT WORTH READING

Sunday, 17 December, 2000, 22:30 GMT
Methane hopes for closed mines



The methane will be sold to generate electricity

By the BBC's Susanna Reid
Hundreds of abandoned coal mines across the UK could be brought back into use to extract methane gas that can be burnt to make electricity.

Methane was once the scourge of the mining industry. Not only is it toxic and potentially explosive, but it is far more efficient than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Some scientists believe that the man-made sources of these two gases are changing the climate.

Alkane Energy PLC claim burning methane to generate electricity, rather than just letting it seep into the atmosphere, will have a less damaging impact on the environment.

The company, which employs former mine workers, recently floated on the stock exchange. It hopes to expand from three operations in the East Midlands to set up hundreds of projects around the country.

Renewable energy

The company's technical director, David Oldham, said the project was commercial but with an environmental spin-off.

"We extract methane, which was the biggest hazard in the mining industry, and turn it into something useful.

"Our aim is to make money, but we're lobbying the government to have it viewed as a green and renewable source of energy."

There are more than 900 abandoned coal mines in the UK. Alkane was one of the first companies in Britain to extract methane from mines to generate power and other companies are now following suit.

Supporters believe that preventing methane seeping into the atmosphere could help the government achieve its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

'It's very nostalgic'

"It's bound to have a positive effect," said Derbyshire County Council's environment officer Alan Wilkinson. "As methane is more damaging than CO2, anything that takes it out of the atmosphere must help."

Local Bolsover councillor Brian Murray-Carr used to work at Shirebrook Colliery, where Alkane are already extracting enough gas to convert to electricity to power 10,000 homes.

"It's very nostalgic. I worked here, as did my father," he said. "When the mine closed there was a strong sense of depression but this operation looks likely to spark regeneration in the area."

At its peak, Shirebrook Colliery in Derbyshire produced more than two million tonnes of coal a year and employed 2,000 miners.

Alkane Energy only employs a handful of staff, but hopes its re-use of the mine will go some way to breathing new life back into the old mining community.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXI FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON ANOTHER WEB SITE AND NOT CONNECTED WITH THE ABOVE ARTICLE

Current Operations
Operating Sites (CMM)Below is a list of the CMM sites currently operating. These sites are used to supply two types of customer, electricity generators or industrial users.

At abandoned mines: -
Site Operator Use Commissioned
Silverdale, Staffordshire Stratagas/Octagon o + Jan 1999
Shirebrook, Derbyshire Alkane Energy + Jan 2000
Markham, Derbyshire Alkane Energy o Feb 1999
Steetley, Nottinghamshire Alkane Energy + Mar 1999
Bentinck, Nottinghamshire StrataGas + Jan 2001
Hickleton, South Yorkshire Octagon Energy + May 2001
Wheldale, West Yorkshire Alkane Energy + 2002
Search BBC News Online



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does seem like a company with huge potential untapped by investors SO FAR

Most exciting of all, perhaps, is broadening its base in the renewable sector. It has acquired Farmatic UK, which it is turning into Alkane Biogas. This is looking at a first project in Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland. The 6.8 million project costs will be supported by a 3.1 million grant. The plant will be able to process 100,000 tones a year of animal and food waste. New landfill legislation in the EU means that UK supermarkets and farmers will have to find alternative means of waste disposal. Alkanes plant will be able to charge gate fees for waste produce, gas from waste and also by-products like fertiliser. The project will not be completed until 2006 but could be very lucrative. In the meantime, with its other projects, the company is looking to go into the black in 2005.

yes that why I'm back into this, things seem to be turning in their favour. May not get massive action this year but the rewards are there

Alkane seems quite active,has anybody got any news.I think the results are due in about a month.With some solid figures and positive news on new ventures,this one could finally move up.

hope this does move (up) sometime or may look elswhere, no pint having money doing nothing for month after month.

The key dates for Alkane in 2005 are:

Preliminary Results announcement 23 March 2005
Annual Report posted w/c 11 April 2005
AGM (Edwinstowe) 11 May 2005
Interim Announcement (expected) w/c 19 September 2005

All buys today,on the back of good results and very positive future.

Financial Overview

Alkane continues to move confidently towards its stated target to achieve
profitability in 2005.

A strong sales push in all markets, and the inclusion of a full year's
contribution from Pro2, have resulted in Group turnover increasing from 7.3m to
19.8m and our operating loss being reduced from 1.4m to 753,000. At a pre-tax
level, adjusted to remove the effect of the exceptional item in 2003, losses
reduced substantially from 1,033,000 in 2003 to 284,000. On the same basis,
the loss per share (basic and diluted) was reduced from 1.51p to 0.8p.

A further cut in senior executive level management contributed to a reduction in
UK salary costs of 236,000. On a full-year basis, overall Group overheads have
been reduced by 20% since 2003, to an estimated run rate of 900,000 per annum.

Net funds as at 31 December 2004 were 2.6m compared with 6.1m at the end of
2003. This reflects the investment of 2.9m in new projects, both in the UK and
in Germany.

Operating Review

Alkane have learned from their mistakes.All areas are very positive and costs are being controlled.The company is now working in all areas of gas collection giving it a much more robust model.

This could be a real growth area.These countries have had some bad disasters due to gas explosions.

Mine Methane Safety Systems

Human tragedies caused by recent methane explosions in several coal mining areas
worldwide have reinforced the message that mine atmosphere management is
critical to the safety of working coal mines. Our first containerised mine
methane extraction system was sold and shipped to Iran during the year. In the
first quarter of 2005, we have had a number of encouraging visits to Markham to
see our containerised gas extraction and generation systems. The potential
customers were mine managers and energy ministers from several countries where
coal mining is undergoing a very rapid expansion to keep up with the huge
international demand. We are currently targeting Russia, India and China along
with Iran as markets for our mine safety systems that will in future be
manufactured by Pro2.

The only way is up!

Hello ME,

Why no interest,this share has doubled in 3 months.It could double again.Now that would be good!!!

Hi Eggbert

have read the annual report and it all seams very humble. with the energy price as it is and remains, I agree, there is a lot more potential.
it appears that sales for the methane mining technology is something the market wants.
would be interested if you hear anything new.
FT

hello FT,

glad to see im not alone.Just got in,why the jump???

Technically very positive. Next stop maybe 40p
jopet

have not seen anything else than the high energy price. Guess the mine explosions this year in China did not help.
Elections in Germany expected to be held in September. following that the new Government is likely to prolong use of nuclear power plants, but will also have to take a critical look at subsidies given to solar panels. according to Solarworld AG on the FAQ site, there is the question if you should use the electricity your panel produces. they say no, as you can sell the electricity to the grid at 0.5ct and buy it back at 0.15 - 0.2ct.
While this is giving incentives to install the systems, it is not sustainable. Germans will have to find also other ways to subsidise alternative Energy.
This does not automatically lead to higher payment in Biogas (CMM) but any change makes the Pro2 more competitive.
continue to hold on to them.

Alkane Energy PLC

22 June 2005 For immediate release


Alkane Energy plc ('Alkane' or 'the Company')

UPDATE ON UK ELECTRICITY GENERATION OPERATIONS

Alkane Energy, the rapidly expanding international renewable energy company, is
pleased to announce that it has completed connection of two electricity
generation plants, fuelled by methane captured from abandoned coal mines.

In its AGM statement dated 11 May 2005, Alkane announced that coal mine methane
(CMM) generation projects at two sites in the UK were complete and awaiting
connection to the electricity supply grid. The Company is pleased to confirm
that these two sites are now connected and are successfully producing
electricity as planned. The two sites, at Bevercotes and Markham in
Nottinghamshire, have a combined generating capacity of 5.4MW.

In addition, excellent progress is being made on two more CMM plants at
Whitwell, Derbyshire, and Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire. These will
contribute another 2.7MW of generating capacity and are expected to be
operational by Autumn 2005.

Alkane's CMM plants in the UK are expected to capture approximately 22,000
tonnes of methane in 2005, equal to carbon dioxide savings of around 500,000
tonnes. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide that would be saved by
building around 285 one megawatt wind turbines.

Commenting on the UK electricity generation business, Dr Cameron Davies, Chief
Executive, said:

'Climate Change Levy exemption benefits coupled with high electricity prices in
the UK have significantly improved the economics of our coal mine methane
operations and the successful completion of our plants at Bevercotes and Markham
represents a major step forward in our electricity generation business. The new
UK projects complement our operations in continental Europe where we generate
renewable electricity, manufacture climate change mitigation systems and supply
high value added services in the methane-to-electricity market.'


Enquiries:

Alkane Energy plc Buchanan Communications

Dr Cameron Davies, Chief Executive Eric Burns, Account Director
Tel: 01623 827927 Tel: 01943 883990