Archive for October, 2008

OPEC to CECO?

Via Energy Daily, an interesting report that Russia is advancing a proposal that soon could result in an OPEC-like cartel being formed of Caspian riparian states. As the article notes: “…Russia’s proposal for a Caspian Economic Cooperation Organization (CECO) was floated on Oct. 3 by Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina at the first Intergovernmental […]

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Ukraine’s Interest in the Arab Gas Pipeline

Via Oil and Gas Eurasia, a report detailing Ukraine’s interest in playing a role in the completion of the Arab Gas Pipeline intended for natural gas deliveries from Egypt to Europe via Syria and Turkey.  As the article notes: “…We hope to take part in the modernization of Syrian enterprises, including in the construction of […]

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Gazprom’s Move Into Kyrgyzstan

As reported by Reuters, Gazprom recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kyrgyzstan which will help it buy a stake in Kyrgyz state-owned gas company Kyrgyzgaz, the state gas export monopoly.  As the article notes “…the memorandum was signed in Bishkek as part of Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Kyrgyzstan and allowed the […]

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Turkey: Is The Silk Road of the 21st Century Turning Towards Russia?

Via Energy Risk, a very good analysis by Robert Amsterdam of Turkey’s geostrategic importance as the bridge between Europe and the Near East, particularly as the European Union considers its dwindling options for alternative supply routes beyond the reach of Gazprom, Russia’s natural gas oligopoly.  As the article notes: “…A key transit hub of both […]

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Eurasia’s Investment Potential

From Bloomberg, an optimistic look at Central Asia’s investment potential.  As the article notes: “…Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan don’t tend to come to mind when searching for safety. Nor do Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Caucasus region. Yet there’s increasing merit to taking the road less traveled, literally and figuratively. “Amid […]

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Economic and Geopolitical Implications of Russia’s Declining Oil Production

Via Stratfor (subscription required), an in-depth analysis of Russia’s declining oil production capacity and implications this will cause for Russia as a whole.  As the report notes, Russia will not be able to maintain current oil production without a concerted effort to develop new production, transportation infrastructure and encouraging greenfield projects: “…The Russian Energy Ministry […]

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WILDCATS AND BLACK SHEEP
Wildcats & Black Sheep is a personal interest blog dedicated to the identification and evaluation of maverick investment opportunities arising in frontier - and, what some may consider to be, “rogue” or “black sheep” - markets around the world.

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.