An OPEC for Natural Gas: Born in South America?
August 26th, 2007
As noted in Xinhua earlier this month, Bolivia, Argentina and Venezuela signed an accord to create the Organization of Gas Producing and Exporting Countries of South America (Opegasur), which is aimed at consolidating their energy alliance. “…The three presidents inked the commitment memorandum for the exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels in the Bolivian provinces […]
Read more »A Future SCO Energy Club and China’s Increasingly Close Ties with Kazakhstan
August 24th, 2007
As noted in a recent Central Asia News article, China and Kazakhstan signed several bilateral agreements during the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao, which some observers and analysts say will galvanize the development of Kazakh-Chinese relations. Among the most notable were agreements on: “…an extension of the Sino-Kazakh Atasu-Alashankou oil pipeline, linking mainland China […]
Read more »Iran’s Looming Energy “Catastrophe”?
August 24th, 2007
Iran is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) number-two crude oil producer, and is also pinning major hopes on its gas reserves, estimated to be the second-largest proven reserves in the world after Russia. However, as noted in this recent Middle East Times article, Iran’s sacked oil minister issued a parting warning to President […]
Read more »Chavez’s Into Africa Tour…
August 24th, 2007
Several interesting tidbits from this Energy Daily analysis, namely, Chavez’s continued engagement with African oil-rich nations and PDVSA’s plan to create its own equipment/services division to help address declining production resulting from equipment shortages. It is not clear how Venezuela can balance their equipment shortfalls at home while pursuing an ambitious international growth plan, but […]
Read more »Chinese Carmaker Moves into Iran
August 15th, 2007
Noticed this on Automotive World, and was struck by two things. First, it is just yet another example of China reaching out to smaller developing markets, especially those “off-limits” to the west for various reasons. And, second, the joint venture’s annual output – up to 200,000 cars – is a large number that indicates the […]
Read more »China, Chad, and a Pan-African Aggregation Grid?
August 12th, 2007
Noticed an interesting article in today’s International Herald Tribune, further emphasizing China’s interest in gaining access to Africa’s petroleum resources. While we have reviewed China’s engagement of several African markets in previous posts, this was the first article focused primarily on Chad. “….Despite advanced prospecting by French and other Western firms dating back to […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.