Japan’s bitter pill The Japanese government has declared two reactors safe to restart. Now it must convince a traumatised Japanese public that nuclear remains the best route to recovery.

America’s missing barrels It’s a mystery worthy of a detective novel: as US consumption patterns have changed, an estimated 4 million barrels a day of the country’s oil demand has simply vanished. Shaun Polczer investigates

Bolivia’s gas conundrum On May Day, it will be six years since President Evo Morales nationalised Bolivia’s gas sector. The anniversary offers Morales the opportunity to hail the success of his strategy in boosting production, but has it also sown the seeds of the sector’s long-term decline? Justin Jacobs reports.

REPORT CARD: Lukoil's ambitious plans face execution risk Russia’s second-largest oil producer has high hopes for its future growth, but there are difficulties ahead, writes NJ Watson

Prevention is better than cure Two years on from the Macondo, safety technology is taking centre stage for deep-water operators. Justin Jacobs reports.

India’s gas prices: two systems, one country

Extreme HP/HT bites back at Elgin Total came close to disaster at its Elgin gasfield in the UK North Sea in late March when it lost control of a troublesome well, drilled at extreme HP/HT conditions. Martin Quinlan reports

Alaska gas opts for huge LNG export plant

The paradox of plenty The oil curse is spreading to new petroleum producers. Derek Brower reviews a new book which explains why oil's grip remains so powerful and what can be done about it

East Mediterranean’s new play gets hotter Israel’s burgeoning gas reserves could transform a region. Derek Brower reports

Kenya: Tullow discovery lifts hopes for onshore

UK Budget provides lift for oil producers

Chinese refiners get some relief from price rise

Pressure piles on North American gas producers

Smoking the TAPI peace pipe

Tullow discovery lifts hopes for Kenyan onshore

UK Budget provides lift for oil producers