Siemens Energy, Inc. has been awarded a contract for gas-insulated transmission lines by Northeast Utilities as part of the New England East-West Solution (NEEWS).

Siemens will produce 115 kV and 345 kV gas-insulated transmission lines (GILT) for the Agawam (Massachusetts) and North Bloomfield (Connecticut) substation additions as part of the Greater Springfield Reliability Project, one of four major transmission projects comprising the New England East-West Solution.

Irish engineering group Kentz has announced the acquisition of South African engineering services firm RNE Engineering and Projects for €7.4 million (R73 million).

Kentz said the deal will enable the group to offer a wider range of niche engineering, procurement and construction solutions in southern Africa, as well as supporting the opportunity to jointly tender for certain EPC contracts.

First Liberty Power Corp, a Nevada based mineral exploration company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Uravan vanadium and uranium claim to a non related party, New America Energy Corp.

UK oil company Ensco is buying its US rival Pride International for around £4.5 billion in a deal that will create the world's second largest offshore oil and gas driller.

The US Air Force C-130 aircraft fleet is to be retro-fitted with carbon brakes and boltless wheels to enhance performance, reduce weight and simplify maintenance procedures.

After completing its development, qualification and flight test processes, Goodrich Corporation has now received a production contract from Defense Logistics Agency Aviation to supply over 1,600 carbon brakes and over 1,400 boltless wheels with deliveries scheduled to commence in October 2011.

UK oil explorer Regal Petroleum has backed an improved takeover bid from Energees Investments, which came on the back of a rival bid from a Ukrainian billionaire.

The offer from Energees values its proposed 70 per cent stake in Ukraine-focused Regal at around £85 million.

Energees is the main holding company of Ukraine's Smart Holding Group.

The revised offer comes following a rival proposal from Cyprus-based Heamoor and oil explorer Geo-Alliance. Both Heamoor and Geo-Alliance are controlled by the Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk.

Pennsylvania furniture maker Knoll, Inc. today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

Swiss food giant Nestlé has opened a new state-of-the-art factory in Nigeria’s Ogun state.

The NGN12 billion (approx. €57 million) Flowergate factory will be primarily dedicated to the production of the company’s Maggi branded range.

The 12 hectare facility—Nestlé’s 27th in Africa—will offer jobs to 180 people and indirect jobs to hundreds more.

General contractor American Bridge Company, has awarded a $13 million contract for steel grid decking and galvanized drainage grating for the Walt Whitman Bridge Suspension Span & Anchorages Project to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based LB Foster Company.

Dutch oil giant Shell has reported profits of $18.6 billion (£11.5 billion) for 2010, on the back of increased production and rising oil prices.

Profits were nearly double that of last year, with earnings in the final quarter soaring by almost 400 per cent to $5.7 billion.

Commenting, Shell’s CEO Peter Voser said: “Our 2010 earnings increased substantially from 2009 levels, driven by improving industry fundamentals, and Shell’s production growth and cost performance.”