From the NY Times, more evidence that oil-producing countries have embarked upon a global shopping spree. While the focus is the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s bold outlay of $7.5 billion to become one of the largest shareholders in Citigroup, the article does a nice job of detailing many other petro-dollar based purchases that have taken […]
Read more »Via Stratfor (subscription required), news that U.S. energy company Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Australian oil and gas firm OMV have agreed to jointly explore for oil in five areas in Libya. According to the article: “…the firms will spend $2.5 billion altogether over the next five years to redevelop oil fields in the Sirte Basin, […]
Read more »Via Newsweek, an interesting look at the current state of North Korea’s economy and the possibilities for growth should continued progress towards peace be achieved. As the article notes, in the first 10 months of this year trade between the Koreas rose 23 percent to $1.44 billion, and recent agreements may open additional new areas […]
Read more »As reported in the WSJ, intrepid investors are seeking out opportunities in some of the most challenging markets around the world. Take, for instance, Zimbabwe where the annual inflation rate is 8,000% and rising, and people don’t have food to eat. As the article notes: “…investors have started pouring millions of dollars into the country. […]
Read more »In my 10 November post ($100 Oil: Creating a New World Order), I focused on the shift in power away from traditional Big Oil towards state run oil companies in some emerging nations. Steve LeVine, in his always informative Oil and Glory blog, offered further evidence today of the shrinking influence of Big Oil: “…After […]
Read more »Via the WSJ, another case of Abu Dhabi’s strategic-investment arm – Mubadala Development Co. – continuing to build its presence in high-tech sectors as part of the broader trend of Middle East nations – rich on the exploding cost of oil – making their mark in global finance. As the article notes: “…An investment arm […]
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