AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Oil and utilities highlights to 15:45 BST.

(From AFX Europe (Focus))

2006-09-01 14:31:34 GDF board contests EU Commission objections to Suez merger - union

PARIS (AFX) - Gaz de France's board of directors has contested the objections raised by the EU Commission to its proposed merger with Suez, according to CGT labour union members who attended today's board meeting. 2006-09-01 13:36:29 Transocean gets $862m Chevron contract

HOUSTON (AFX) - Offshore drilling rig contractor, Transocean Inc. said late Thursday it received a five-year contract worth up to $862 million to build a drillship for energy company Chevron Corp. 2006-09-01 12:33:03 Oil prices firm as Iran crisis rumbles on

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