Ambre Energy

Ambre Energy was founded in June 2005 by Edek Choros, a geologist and mining engineer. Its initial strategy included both coal development and technology intended to improve the value of lower-grade carbonaceous materials. In September 2005, the company filed a patent application for a Hybrid Energy System for processing low-value coal and related materials. The company expanded into oil-shale technology through discussions with Oil-Tech, Inc., a Utah company developing a staged electrically heated retort for pyrolysis. Ambre Energy and Oil-Tech formed Millennium Synfuels LLC in October 2006 to hold rights associated with the retorting process. Ambre Energy acquired 6 percent of Oil-Tech by June 2007 and increased its holding to 35 percent in October of that year. Oil-Tech subsequently became a wholly owned subsidiary and was merged into Ambre Energy in July 2008. Ambre Energy’s Australian development portfolio included the Felton Clean Coal Project in Queensland. The proposal combined an open-pit mine with coal gasification, carbon capture and production of dimethyl ether, electricity and possible chemical and fertilizer by-products. Queensland’s incoming premier rejected the proposal in April 2012. Ambre Energy disputed reports that the rejection placed the company at risk of collapse and said that the project was still only under preliminary investigation. Interest in mining at Felton resurfaced in 2016 after the Queensland government renewed two exploration permits. The company’s North American operations included coal-mining interests and proposed export infrastructure. In 2009 it was reported to be pursuing a southeastern Montana facility capable of producing coal and synthetic crude. Ambre Energy later held a 50 percent interest in a Decker-area mine, with Cloud Peak Energy holding the other half. Cloud Peak sued in 2012 over the handling of export plans and alleged value allocation. The parties discussed a sale of Cloud Peak’s interest to Ambre Energy for US$57 million in December 2012, although the transaction was reportedly being renegotiated by May 2013. In Washington, Ambre Energy subsidiary Millennium Bulk Logistics proposed a coal-export terminal near Longview in 2010. County commissioners approved permits later that year, but the company withdrew the application in March 2011 to conduct additional environmental studies. Related coal-storage proposals in Oregon encountered strong opposition and were rejected by state regulators in September 2014 because of possible effects on marine and riparian ecosystems and fishing grounds used by Native American tribes. Ambre Energy disposed of all North American assets in December 2014 in a transaction with Resource Capital Funds. The acquired operations continued under the Ambre Energy North America name until April 2015, when they were renamed Lighthouse Resources Inc. The available reference record does not adequately document the subsequent corporate history of Ambre Energy Limited, including whether it continued independently, changed ownership or ceased operations.

• 2015

  North American successor renamed Lighthouse Resources

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Ambre Energy North America changed its name to Lighthouse Resources Inc.

• 2014

  North American assets sold

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Ambre Energy sold its North American assets to Resource Capital Funds for US$18 million.

• 2012

  Felton proposal rejected

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Queensland rejected the proposed Felton Clean Coal Project.

• 2008

  Oil-Tech merged into Ambre Energy

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Oil-Tech became wholly owned by Ambre Energy and was merged into it in July.

• 2006

  Millennium Synfuels established

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Ambre Energy and Oil-Tech created Millennium Synfuels to hold rights related to oil-shale retorting technology.

• 2005

  Ambre Energy founded

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Edek Choros founded Ambre Energy in Australia in June.

• 2005

  Hybrid Energy System patent filed

  [1]Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org

  The company filed a patent application for processing low-value coal and other carbonaceous materials.

Resource-development and energy-technology company focused on coal, oil shale, synthetic fuels and associated export infrastructure.

• Coal gasification and power project

  Felton Clean Coal Project

  A proposed development in Felton Valley, Queensland, combining an open-pit coal mine with coal gasification, carbon capture, electricity generation and chemical production. The concept included expected output of dimethyl ether, power and possible fertilizer and petrochemical by-products. The proposal was rejected by Queensland in 2012, although exploration activity later resurfaced.

• Coal mining

  Decker/Bull Mountain coal mine interests

  Ambre Energy was associated with a coal mine in the Decker area of Montana, described in public accounts as a 50 percent joint interest with Cloud Peak Energy. The asset was linked to proposed coal-export plans and became the subject of a dispute over approvals and the distribution of potential project value.

• Coal-export infrastructure · 2010

  Millennium Bulk Logistics

  A proposed coal-export terminal in the Longview area of Washington State developed through an Ambre Energy subsidiary. The project involved port handling and coal transportation and underwent permitting and environmental review. The initial application was withdrawn for further environmental study, while related regional proposals faced sustained opposition.

• Oil-shale processing technology

  Oil-Tech retorting technology

  An electrically heated retort process for converting crushed oil shale into vapors and liquid products. The process used staged heating chambers, condensation and recycling of heat from spent shale. Ambre Energy acquired Oil-Tech and operated a small pilot plant together with oil-shale leases in Utah.

• 2014

  Divestment of North American assetsM&A

  Background

  Ambre Energy’s North American coal and infrastructure portfolio had faced project, permitting and commercial challenges.

  Action taken

  The company sold all North American assets to Resource Capital Funds for US$18 million.

  Aftermath

  The acquired business continued as Ambre Energy North America and was renamed Lighthouse Resources Inc. in 2015.

  Transaction value. US$18 million (December 2014)

  Source

• 2012

  Felton Clean Coal Project rejectionOther

  Background

  Ambre Energy proposed a Queensland project combining coal mining, gasification, carbon capture and power generation.

  Action taken

  The Queensland government rejected the proposal in April 2012.

  Aftermath

  Ambre Energy said the project remained at an early investigative stage; exploration permits connected with Felton were renewed in 2016.

  Source

• 2012

  Cloud Peak dispute over Decker export plansOther

  Background

  Cloud Peak Energy alleged that Ambre Energy developed export plans without its approval and sought a disproportionate share of possible coal value.

  Action taken

  Cloud Peak filed suit; the parties later discussed a US$57 million sale of Cloud Peak’s mine interest, but the proposed transaction was reportedly renegotiated.

  Aftermath

  Ambre Energy ultimately sold its North American assets to Resource Capital Funds in 2014.

  Proposed purchase price for Cloud Peak’s interest. US$57 million (December 2012; reportedly renegotiated by May 2013)

  • Cloud Peak Energy — Cloud Peak pursued litigation alleging lack of approval and an unfair allocation of potential project value.

  Source

1. 1Ambre Energyen.wikipedia.org