Energy Biz Cheat Sheet: BP Developing New Projects in the U.K., Walter Energy Becomes Potential Acquisition Target

The U.S. will allow BP (NYSE:BP) to bid on new oil-drilling leases going up for sale in the Gulf of Mexico later this year. The Interior Department’s offshore safety chief says the agency will let the company place bids in its upcoming Lease Sale 218 auction.

Hot Feature: Solyndra Sparks Criticism Over Government Subsidizing Green Energy

House Republicans are expanding their inquiry into the Department of Energy’s solar loan guarantees, bad publicity for the industry that has First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWRA) trading lower on concern that they could go the way of Solyndra.

Engineering and construction giant Fluor (NYSE:FLR) is coming to the rescue of NuScale Energy, a company that hopes to commercialize a small-scale nuclear reactor but is strapped for cash, with a $30 million investment.

Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX) has slightly lowered the high end of its coal production guidance for the year, now projecting full-year production between 62 million and 62.6 million tons, versus an earlier forecast of 62 million to 63 million tons.

BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) and Anglo American are reportedly interested in acquiring coal miner Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT).

Investing Insights: Oil ETFs: The Top 10 Exchange Traded Funds for Your Oil Investing List

BP (NYSE:BP) is developing four new oil and gas projects in the U.K. oil industry over the next five years, along with partners Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), and Chevron (NYSE:CVX).

Solyndra CEO Brian Harris has stepped down, a move he was reportedly considering even before the company filed for bankruptcy protection.