Archive for February, 2009

Turkey & Iran: Seeking to Expand Their Geopolitical Influence

Via Stratfor (subscription required), an interesting look at the dynamic relations between Iran and Turkey and the upcoming bilateral meetings between the two nations.  As the article notes “…Both Turkey and Iran are on the rise. Until relatively recent times, both have been contained by various forces, most notably Iraq and the Soviet Union. Between […]

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Russia’s Great Leap Eastward

Via the Associated Press, an interesting look at Russia’s recent deals with China and Japan.  As the article notes: “…The ruble is dropping, oil production is declining, foreign capital is fleeing, currency reserves are dwindling. Short-term, the Kremlin is struggling to deal with the worst economic crisis in a decade. Long-term, though, the Kremlin appears […]

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Medium Term Geopolitical Power of Oil: Tilting Towards Asian/Chinese Financiers

We’ve tracked the series of long term oil deals being signed by the Chinese around the world (most recently, in Brazil & Russia) and now Steve LeVine (via Business Week) has provided an analytical piece explaining how the current underinvestment in production is going to lead to another boom cycle in prices – however this […]

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A Total Experience in Yemen…

Via The New York Times, an interesting report on Total’s activities in Yemen.  As the article notes “…Yemen is a showcase for Total, whose experience here shows how far an oil company will go these days to unearth new energy supplies. Because of the endlessly complicated interplay of geology and geopolitics, access to petroleum resources […]

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China’s Long Term Strategy in Africa Defies Current Market Woes

Via Africa Asia Confidential, an in depth analysis of China’s growing relationship with Liberia, which is expanding into Guinea and Sierra Leone.  As the article notes: “…The US$2.68 billion agreement signed by China Union’s Chief Executive Yin Fuyou and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on 19 January to restart iron ore production at the old […]

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Iran’s Interest in Turkmen Gas

Via Energy Daily, a report of Iran’s increasing efforts to establish itself as a major friend to its oil- and gas-rich neighbors, despite the strength of its more dominant competitors and the international sanctions in place, specifically Turkmenistan.  As the article notes: “…Since the death of Turkmenistan’s Saparmurat “Turkmenbashi” (President for Life) Niyazov in December […]

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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.