Exxon Mobil going ALL OUT

Exxon Mobil is seemingly walking the unconventional route to mine for oil.


Of the eight major projects the company plans to start up in the near future, six were unconventional. They include two liquefied natural gas facilities, in Qatar and Texas, an Arctic oil production facility in Sakhalin Island off Russia's far east coast, two deep water projects off Angola, and an oil sands project in Alberta, Canada.

Liquefied natural gas is harder to bring to market than regular gas. First the gas must be converted to liquid to transport it from its source in remote areas to where it can be used, generally close to major population centers. Then it must be converted back into a gas for usage.




Oil sands are a heavy, tar-like substance that requires lots of processing to turn into a usable oil. Shale gas lies in rock that must be cracked with chemicals and water to bring it to the surface. Projects in deep water or the Arctic require expensive infrastructure to reach the oil.

Honestly speaking, please do not expect the oil prices to go down because of two reasons that exacerbated the situation.


1. There is increasing demand for oil.

2. The supply of oil is becoming more inelastic than before, meaning to say that the supply is falling.


That is precisely why Exxon is now walking the unconventional path in the mining of oil.

In the past, Exxon enjoys mining a huge area of land for oil and people criticised their way of mining because they feel that Exxon could have just used technology to pin-point the enclosed area of land that has the most amount of oil.


But, Exxon proved all of them wrong but outwitting technology. In the end, Exxon managed to uncover an abundance amount of oil that technology could not detect.


However, right now, Exxon can no longer do that because the competition is extremely stiff. Many companies are joining in, in the tight search for oil. Hence, the only way to beat them is to mine the unconventional areas.

By doing that, the smaller companies cannot tag along because they simply do not have the necessary funds. It comes at an exorbitant cost in order to be able to mine the unconventional areas like the ocean and the sands and the liquified natural gas. Smaller companies will go bankrupt if they enter this field. What they can do now is only to stare at Exxon walking down the tight rope and hopefully try to learn some of the techniques they can use later on when they think that they can do it too.


Before the smaller companies build up their funds to join in, Exxon had better enter the unconvential field and mine whatever they can possibly mine and hopefully, they will be able to come up with a cheaper way of mining, perhaps by developing unique equipments that can enable them to mine more effectively.


No doubt this is going to be a dire period for Exxon, I'm sure they will prevail for they are famous for coming up with innovative ways to mine at a lower costs. On top of that, they make sure that the process of mining and distillation is handled carefully such that they can mine the optimum amount of yield from what they mined.


Definitely one of the powerhouse in the oil field, Exxon will not be defeated so easily for sure!

 
Credits -oceanquigley, -etftrends, -cnn

In the amount of time

Once again thanks to Wei Kuan

Enjoy

Credits -thedoghousediaries

How to put yourself in their shoes

I have wondering about this intricate issue for a very long time already.


How do you actually feel the pain of the others ? I thought that by understanding their pain, you can relate to them more easily than before and that they will come to trust you more.


Of course, it is not advisable to be over-assuming because you might end up interpreting that guy wrongly. In turn, you might aggravate the relationship between the both of you because of the misunderstanding.


So as I was lying on my bed before I go to sleep. I thought of a surprising interesting plot.


I hear people complaining about how tired they are in the morning and how they feel like shutting down their brain but I can't seem to relate to that. I always tell them to wash their face and stuff but apparently it does not go into their head.


So I thought to myself, I'm pretty much shagged out now already and all I can think of is to sleep and wake up the next morning with a fresh new mind.


Then I realised, what if, what if ... I were not allowed to sleep now and that I have to go to work immediately. It's unthinkable but I tend to think of crazy things before I sleep, I'm sure most of you are like that as well right?


Anyway, back to the topic, what if I had to go to work instead of sleeping at 1am in the morning? I will feel like dying and that I will be moodless and everything. From that moment onwards, I kinda understood how those people, who complained about how tired they were in the morning, feels. I can feel a little of their pain and how exhausting it is to keep yourself awake when you are so tired.


From that day onwards, I did not oppose these people when they say they are really tired. However, I too, did not let them carry on this kind of lifestyle. Knowing that it is a result of the paucity of rest time, I reminded them that it is important to sleep early and that you can finish whatever you are doing in a shorter period of time by not procrastinating.


Have a strong resolution, swear against your own surname if that is what it takes for you to discipline yourself. If you do not have that kind of commitment, you will not achieve much at the end of the day, which explains why you lack sleep. Simply because you are wasting a lot of time away which caused you to lose out on the sleep time.


Yeah, so in order to understand their pain. Try to put yourself in their shoes the next time, literally in their shoes.


But be very careful, do not be over-confident and end up misinterpreting what they say. This might annoy them badly.

Justin Bieber Baby

The latest craze on the net


Presenting to you,


Justin Bieber


He's only 16 years old for your information!


He looks like a combination of Justin Timberlake and David Archuleta.


And better still, he's so young, amazing.


Enjoy





Credits -youtube

iPad

According to records received by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 17, 2010, Fujitsu Frontech North America has formally assigned whatever interest it had in the name IPAD to Apple Inc.

Clear ownership of a trademark is important in this business. It gives the owner the right to commence legal proceedings against all sorts of trademark violations — including, in some cases, domain name poaching.

Important is an understatement, it is de facto the most precious thing a business can possibly wish for!

It is as simple as the fact that you stole your friend's bungalow when it was registered under his name.

Crazy you might say. A bungalow is like worth millions, and it's so obvious that it's not yours so how can you steal it?

Then think about patents, why are people stealing patents by using names that are already patented?

Even more stupid isn't it ?

Well people usually do it surreptitiously so that they will not be discovered by their competitors.

However, once discovered they will be brought into many forms of litigations, which is extremely cumbersome.

If you can remember, a while back when the iPad was launched with all the hoo-hah, you must have realised that it was actually not a fantastic product so to speak.

Nonetheless, you see a copious amount of media news revolving around the name iPad and the product per se.

Many claimd that they had this product very long ago, one of which was a manufacturer from Shen Zhen. Ironic isn't it? Shen Zhen, the epitome of fake goods, no offence there.

Yeah, after all the media attention that Apple has received from the public as a result of this drama, Apple's recognition has once again surged all the way to the roof.

It has become the most searched company on Yahoo, Google and Bing.

And at the end of the day, Apple lose nothing because it has gotten the patent for "iPad" on top of all the free advertising and no one else can steal it from them.

They have totally turned the table around and now, Apple is the one who is going to sue whoever is using iPad's name out there.

Genius tactical move isn't it?

Apple could jolly well be the next "Zhuge Liang" of the 36 strategems.

I aspire to be as portentous as Apple one day and I'm already working towards it!

Credits -cnn, -securelexicon, -sun-sentinel

Project Runway

Credits -mylifetime.com

Burj Khalifa Observation Deck Reopens

Remember the new global icon Burj Khalifa? If you don't, it's okay, it opened in January but in no time, it suffered technical faults and unfortunately visitors were trapped in the lift as a result. It must have been a traumatising experience to be trapped so high up in the building but at the same time, surprising.

I mean we are all scared of being trapped in the lifts but I sure as hell do not mind being trapped in the Burj Khalifa's one. Afterall, the lift is so posh and elegant that you do not even mind sleeping in it. As you are trapped inside, I'm sure it will be an indelible experience that you can pass on to your posterity.

Afterall this incident has been made known worldwide, how cool is it to be known as one of the guys being trapped in that lift 20 years down the road ?


SUPER COOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To me that is.


Burj Khalifa, is almost like a fairy tale for me. To be able to get there one day on the 124th storey, will be phenomenal. To look down from 124 storeys from one of the most renowned global icon now, it is definitely going to be an ineffable experience, something that is once in a lifetime.

To get access to the observation deck, you have two options: reserve online for timed tickets (you get one hour at the top) for 100 AED ($27) per person or walk up to tower during open hours for immediate entry at a cost of 400 AED ($109) per person.


I'm sure a lot of people are willing to fork out that sum of the money just to take a look at the city of Dubai from above. It's magnificent, just look at the picture above, look at the terrain, it's almost like something that you will only see in Final Fantasy 13.


Is this really the real world we are living in? Well, sometimes fantasy and the reality is only a fine line apart.


We can turn fantasy into reality, for we have the incessant growing technology in our bags. There's no need to fear the impossible anymore, for there are no impossible missions today.

We can go to the moon now. We can study human brains. We can tell what we want. There's a machine in the future that will materialise your wants on the screen per se. I'm serious!


The future is interminable.


You will be shocked at the rate of our progress from now onwards. We will be moving at the light of speed.


So what's more enticing than to get to Burj Khalifa and get some inspiration to make some breakthrough in our lives?








Credits -jaunted, -eface, -masternewmedia

Apple iPad

What iPad can't do.


1. It can't on the music while you are using the Facebook application so they cannot run simultaneously

2.


But those prices are for iPads with wireless Internet access only. If you want connectivity over the 3G cell phone Internet network, you'll have to add $130 to each iPad price, as well as the cost of a data plan (more on that later).




So for the most complete iPad experience, you'll need to shell out $830 for the device plus the monthly cost of 3G access. For that kind of cash, you could buy a full-fledged computer.


The monthly cost of the 3G access is kinda like a major turnoff? How can a fad cost so much? A toy should not be costing that exorbitantly!


3.Apple's Safari is the only Web browser for the iPad. Another bummer: Safari on iPad won't allow for tabbed browsing, which lets users keep several sites open at once in the same window

Also, as you all know, Flash is not able to run on iPad. That basically means that you will not be able to see short clips or videos on iPad. This stubborn move by Apple is bound to hit it hard later on.


That's one thing I can't understand. Why does Steve Jobs remove flash from his products? It's really enigmatic.



4. Film buffs will love this sharp, crisp display. But the iPad doesn't support the widescreen 16:9 format of most movies, so viewers will have to look at thick black edges on two sides -- or cut off some of the picture -- while they're trying to watch "Hot Tub Time Machine."

Hmmm, on prima facie I was thinking who the hell will watch a movie on an iPad?

But on second thoughts, I think it's kinda cool to watch it on the iPad screen with everyone around you looking at it at the same time, like a mini theatre so to speak.

5.The iPad boasts a 10-hour lifespan when playing video, and many reviewers have said the battery lasts even longer than Apple claims. And if you somehow manage to put the device down for an extended period of time, the battery will last a full month on standby.

But like the iPhone and iPod, the battery is built in. So if it dies you can't simply pop in a new one; if the battery is broken, for all intents and purposes, so is your iPad.


The good news is that you only need to pay $99 if you battery wears out. However, if it is spoiled because of your carelessness, then that's it, it's the end.


The demise of your iPad.





Credits -cnn

Boeing 787

Boeing Co. said Friday it will boost production of two of its most popular commercial jets to meet rising demand for new aircraft as a turnaround in the beaten-down airline sector makes steady gains.


"We see 2010 as the year of overall economic recovery within the industry and 2011 a year where airlines return to profitability," said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "As a result, we anticipate an increase in demand for airplanes in 2012 and beyond."

I thought this article goes to that an economic recovery is truly imminent. It is for sure going to happen I predict. There's no way the economy will sink back again, at least now in 2011. But there's a possiblity that this economy will take a dip later in the year 2010 again.


Nonetheless, as we all know, Boeing has been through really tough and rough periods in the best as it hurries to churn out its touted Boeing 787 aircraft. It has met up with arduous obstacles along the way and was almost in the danger of being pulverised at one point in time due to the lack of results as the years went by.


Thankfully, it had managed to revived itself when everyone decided to give Boeing one last chance. I guess it's the adrenaline rush that pushed Boeing to the limits for it knew that it can never fail or it's the end for them.


As the aphorism goes, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I'm sure this is the most apt description for Boeing right now.

It is fighting like a fierce bull, charging straight away into the unpredictable future with ultimate optimism where they decide that there will be a huge demand for aircrafts in 2012. I too believe that there will be a huge demand for aircrafts too because many airlines are trying to boost their number of airplanes along the way in search of more revenue.


This is a corollary as a result of the booming tourism industry. Even in the midst of the financial crisis, people are still flying all over the place, the only difference is that they have opted for a cheaper flight!


Credits -marketwatch, -anime-wallpaper, -fspilotshop

ANTM Cycle 14

Here are the pictures for the Episode 4.

Enjoy

Tatiana, I think she tried too hard

Simone, too weak

Alasia

On prima facie, she looks fierce but after awhile it gets average

Somehow Alexandra looks pretty in this shot

Angelea looks like shit

Anslee, she's not even connecting with the guy

Brenda looks really good in this shot

Jessica looks good too

Krista doesn't look like a model at all

Save e best for the last, Raina won!

Credits -topmodel

Hong Kong's currency

I'm following the news about Hong Kong currently because I might be going there before I enter my University in late August. I need to take a breather before I study like there's no tomorrow and honestly, I will !


Yeah, so my friend is heading to Hong Kong as well and he's contemplating on when he should buy the Hong Kong dollars and here I am, trying to advise him on when is the right time.

As you all know, it is more intricate than expected. In fact, it is unpredictable.


Nonetheless, I have some information to share here.


First and foremost, Hong Kong is experiencing a drought and this means that prices of the goods will accrue and as a result, inflation will be a form of culmination as a result of this drought!

The thing about inflation is that there is going to be time lag followed by a rise in imports as foreign goods become cheaper. With a rise of imports, other dollars are bought up and the HK dollar remained in surplus which will result in devaluation of the currency.


This is great for my friend because that way, he can get more HK dollars with the stronger Singapore dollar.


However, the other thing is that HK is going to raise its interest rate as a result of a booming economy. With a rise in interest rates, foreigners will tend to come in and invest in the debts of the country, buying up the debts in HK dollars.

As a result, the supply of HK dollars will drop while the demand still remains high. According to the law of supply, with a fall in supply, and a less than proportionate fall in demand, the price of the good will rise. This will result in the appreciation of the HK dollar.


Once again, the rise in HK dollar will of course take some time due to implementation lag and impact lag.


However, this is definitely not favourable for my friend as he will not be able to get the most HK dollars out of his Sing dollars!


Then again, regarding the first case, where there is inflation, the value of the currency falls but we have to remember that the things get more expensive too.


So confusing right? Alot of factors to take into consideration.


Hence, he has to find the apposite timing to invest in the HK dollars. But then again, he's only changing 500 sing dollars or so, so it's not going to impact him as much as those real investors out there.


Haha, he's more of a micro level investor in this case.


Hahah, okay maybe smaller than a micro level.


Yeah, that's the end, I hope you enjoying my rattling.


Thanks!


Credits -sas, -3poundsofrealestate, -wizardofmacau

Hello

Do you have a propensity to look away? Or to look at your phone or simply at the floor?


Let me put forward this scenario.


Say you are walking on a narrow walkway and there is apparently no one else. Suddenly from the other end, you see someone whom you know but do not usually converse with. There is still no one else around and as the time pass, he/she gets closer and closer to you.


What do you do now?


I'm 100% sure that all of you out there have encountered such an awkward situation before right? But, before we termed such scenarios awkward, we should perhaps consider and reflect upon ourselves.


Why is that so you might ask. I do not know that guy well in the first place and by not talking to him, it just goes to show that I'm not pretentious.


Well, you might be shocked to hear that that is actually a form of denial act. You are just too timid and you lack the courage to greet someone. This is probably a result of an excessive amount of time spent on the net. The bond and connection you used to have with people are getting weaker day by day.


When you are tasked to approach someone, you feel embarassed when there is actually totally nothing wrong with it at all!


The thing is, rather than looking away, or at your phone the next time, why not try to greet them with a smile instead? I'm pretty sure this is symbiosis for the both of you, that is if he smiles back. But who cares anyway? Even if he does not smile back, at least you know that you have done your part! If he does smile back, it will make you a happier person, trust me!


And the rest of your day will definitely be a pleasant one. So from today onwards, don't look away, be brave and greet them with a smile or a simple greeting message!

China's focus

China may let yuan trade more freely if economies improve


We have seen thousands of reports out there, critisizing China as the manipulator of its yuan, how she actually pin the yuan down in an effort to support its exporters.


But in this post, my focus is not going to be on its manipulation of its currency.


Rather it will be directly opposite, I will be focusing on the ironic fact that it is not focusing on its interest rates.

Recently, as I was reading my Economics notes (I did not take Econs in my Junior College so I thought it is instrumental for me to do some reading-up before I enter Business at NTU later in August). So I saw this note, that small countries like Singapore focus on exchange rates whilst the big countries like China should focus on their interest rates.


However, paradoxically, China is now palpably focussing on its yuan. That is very ironic.


The reason why Singapore should focus on exchange rate is because it does not have much control on the restriction of the capital flows. If it were to focus on interest rates, "hot money" will flow in and out rapidly and this will destabilise the exchange rate very easily. This is obviously very dangerous for a small country and can eventually lead to the demise of the entire Singapore economy.

Nonetheless, I saw this note on marketwatch.


Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts said Zhu's comments may be laying the ground work for adopting a currency platform similar to the one in place in Singapore, which would involve benchmarking the yuan to a basket of currencies.


This bunch of analysts completely understood my point about the fact that China is actually emulating Singapore's monetary policy. That is to benchmark the currency against a basket of currencies.


Of course we are not talking about any random basket of currencies, these basket of currencies we are referring to are actually the currencies of our key trade partners and the countries we export to and import from.


We attribute various weight factors to the different countries so that we can adjust our currency appropriately.

But China is different, it is brobdingnagian in size and it should be doing what the little red dot is doing. In fact, it should let its currency float with the market according to Supply and Demand and instead, control its interest rates.


Right now, China is pinning down its interest rates and at the same time pinning down its currency. This is not supposed to happen, you should only control one factor, not both. No wonder it is being critisized by many countries.


With a low interest rate, foreigners will be less likely to be attracted to buy up the debts of China and thus the supply of yuan remain high, thus the value of yuan drops, which is what China is exactly plotting, to support its exporters of course.


Yeah, so I thought China is doing the wrong thing and should seriously let its currency float with the market. Too much control and manipulation will only lead to the rise of asset bubble, it's insidious in nature.


One day, China will pay in the form of devastating trade deficit!



Credits -marketwatch, -wikimedia, -whoisjason, -fotolia