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To: marcos who wrote (1210)	12/24/2004 1:52:09 PM
From: teevee	Respond to of 1293

Venezuela and China sign oil deal China has become one of the world's major oil importers Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has offered China wide-ranging access to the country's oil reserves. The offer, made as part of a trade deal between the two countries, will allow China to operate oil fields in Venezuela and invest in new refineries. Venezuela has also offered to supply 120,000 barrels of fuel oil a month to China. Venezuela - the world's fifth largest oil exporter - sells about 60% of its output to the United States. Mr Chavez's administration, which has a strained relationship with the US, is trying to diversify sales to reduce its dependence on its largest export market. Thirsty for oil China's quick-growing economy's need for oil has contributed to record-high oil prices this year, along with political unrest in the Middle East and supply bottlenecks. Oil prices are finishing the year roughly 30% higher than they were in January 2004. CHINA'S HUNGER FOR ENERGY China's deadly coal mines In 2004, according to forecasts from the Ministry of Commerce, China's oil imports will be 110m tons, up 21% on the previous year. China has been a net importer of oil since the mid 1990's with more than a third of the oil and gas it consumes coming from abroad. A lack of sufficient domestic production and the need to lessen its dependence on imports from the Middle East has meant that China is looking to invest in other potential markets such as Latin America. Mr Chavez, who is visiting China, said his country would put its many of its oil facilities at the disposal of China. Chinese firms would be allowed to operate 15 mature oil fields in the east of Venezuela, which could produce more than one billion barrels, he confirmed. The two countries will also continue a joint venture agreement to produce stocks of the boiler fuel orimulsion. Mr Chavez has also invited Chinese firms to bid for gas exploration contracts which his government will offer next year in the western Gulf of Venezuela. The two countries also signed a number of other agreements covering other industries including mining.

To: marcos who wrote (1210)	12/25/2004 1:46:20 AM
From: E. Charters	Respond to of 1293

One of the biggest wood users in the world is China. They were always good customers of coastal timber and could be better. There is loads of Asian wood, of course. Competition from teak from rapidly depleting rainforest is one. A solution might be to pre-fab houses and sell them ready made to the Chinese. Trouble is you would have to use Chinese labour to make it a go. Or have it robot made. EC<°-}

To: marcos who wrote (1210)	12/30/2004 12:24:53 AM
From: Snowshoe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1293

>>only three nations build with our style of platform construction, Canada Japan and the US<< I'm in Arizona, and recently I toured some of the new subdivisions around here where everything seems to be 2x6 wood construction. Been wondering why no ICF, and then I read this... Builder cements plans for homes Subdivision to be all concrete azcentral.com Luci Scott The Arizona Republic Dec. 30, 2004 12:00 AM Dave Keller is building what is apparently the Valley's first subdivision of concrete homes in decades. The concrete increases energy efficiency and makes the homes quieter and resistant to termites, mold and fire. The subdivision, Sunset Trails IV at 40th Avenue and Lone Cactus Drive in northwest Phoenix, will contain 34 homes of 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, including full finished basements and inside and outside concrete walls, selling for $115 to $120 a square foot. "That's comparable with 2-by-6 (wood frame) construction prices," Keller said. "This is the only development in the Valley to my knowledge where the entire subdivision is all concrete homes." Decades ago, houses in the Maryvale neighborhood were built of concrete blocks, and some newer custom homes have been built with concrete walls. But Keller said his will be the first all-concrete subdivision. Concrete homes are more common in California, Ohio, Indiana and New England. Given that concrete homes cut utility bills and have other advantages, why haven't more been built in Phoenix? "The builders here are set in their ways," said the project's engineer, Mike Spurling of Gilbert. "I've been here since '97, and from what I've seen, they're not progressive at all. Most of them I've talked to have the attitude of if it's new, it's not any good and they don't want to do it." The subdivision's building material is not even new, he said. The walls are being built with insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, made of concrete and foam. "ICFs have been out for years," Spurling said. ICFs are becoming more popular across the nation, reports the National Association of Home Builders. Keller's homes will be territorial Southwest design with a smooth stucco finish, flat roofs, parapets and wood veneer garage doors. Work on the first homes is expected to begin in January. Keller said the walls will have an insulation rating of R-50, compared with wood frame houses whose walls are traditionally R-19. R-value ratings measure the ability to resist heat flow, and the higher the R value, the more effective the building material. Phoenix architect Jonathan Peiffer, who is accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council and versed in environmentally friendly design, said there is no scientific evidence to totally prove whether an R-50 rating can be achieved. "But whether they reach R-50 is not the point," said Peiffer, who is not working on this subdivision. "The issue is does it perform much better than wood frame, and this is definitely an improvement over traditional construction by a long shot." Keller said his roofs will rank at R-48; they will be made of structurally insulated panels, containing 12 inches of polystyrene. Interior drywall will be attached to recycled plastic that is part of the forms. The walls of concrete also will make the homes quieter, Keller said. "Houses typically built aren't soundproof," Keller said. "You close the door to this house, it's like closing the door on a Cadillac." Keller said he is building and selling the homes at comparable costs to stick-built homes. Keller's company is 4 Investors, named for the four principals: Keller and his wife, Marsha, and their partners, Bob and Glenda Salars. All of the lots in the subdivision are reserved, but Keller is taking backup offers. He said he has another project of concrete homes on the drawing board at Interstate 10 and Val Vista Road; it will have 61 larger homes on lots of 1 or 1 1/4 acre.