Iran’s Faltering Economy: Grasping at Foreign Current Debt “Straws”
December 16th, 2008
Via Stratfor (subscription required), an insightful analysis of Iran’s current economic dilemma as the price of oil — Iran’s main source of revenue — has plunged dramatically in recent months. As the article notes: “…Iran’s central bank has given permission to banks to issue foreign currency debt instruments as part of an effort to attract […]
Read more »India & Russia: A Growing Petroleum Based Relationship
December 11th, 2008
Via Energy Daily, an interesting report on the growing linkages between India and Russia through petroleum. As the article notes: “…While India and China have booming economies, they share the similarity of both being energy-deficient and relying on imports. India is casting eyes across the Hindu Kush and is considering developing energy ties with its […]
Read more »Gazprom Looks To Fuel Growth
December 10th, 2008
As recently reported in The Financial Times, Gazprom – Russia’s state-controlled gas group – is “very comfortable” with commodity prices at present levels and is pressing ahead with its plans to increase capital spending next year, according to its deputy chief executive. As the article notes: “…In June, it was the world’s third-largest company by […]
Read more »Saudi Arabia’s Petro Optimism
December 10th, 2008
As recently featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Saudi Arabia continues to feel bullish about its petroleum prospects despite the falling price of oil. As the interview with Ali Al-Naimi, the Saudi oil minister and de facto head of the OPEC oil cartel, noted: “If most Americans had an opportunity to sit down with the oil […]
Read more »Libya Pursues Eni
December 9th, 2008
Via The Wall Street Journal, a report that Libya’s state-run energy fund plans to acquire a minority stake in Italian oil and gas company Eni SpA and might push for representation on Eni’s board. According to the article: “…In a phone interview on Sunday from Tripoli, Shokri Ghanem, head of Libya’s National Oil Co., said […]
Read more »Turkmenistan Today
December 9th, 2008
Via The Wall Street Journal, an interesting look at Turkmenistan today: “…When it came to dismantling the legacy of Turkmenistan’s egomaniacal dictator, it was easy to know where to start: January. The late President Saparmurat Niyazov — a.k.a. Turkmenbashi, or Leader of the Turkmen — had renamed the month after himself and April after his […]
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.