Via Stratfor (subscription required), interesting analysis of the shifting dynamics in Central Asia as the global financial crisis and declining energy prices have shifted Central Asian regional leader Kazakhstan to an inward focus, and offered Uzbekistan an opportunity to reassert its historic role as regional leader. As the article notes: “…Central Asia had remained stagnant […]
Read more »Via Energy Daily, an intriguing analysis of a recent agreement beween Russia and Azerbaijan that may be the harbinger of a dramatic shift in Baku’s Western-leaning policy. As the article notes: “…On March 27, officials from Gazprom and the State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic signed a memorandum of understanding providing that discussions between the […]
Read more »Via Bloomberg, a report that China, the world’s second-biggest energy consumer, may agree next week on lending $10 billion to Kazakhstan in return for the right to take a stake in an oil producer in the Central Asian country. As the article notes: “…China National Petroleum Corp. plans to buy a minority holding in AO […]
Read more »Via Robert Amsterdam, an interesting look at Venezuela’s continuing efforts to reach out to global firms to help finance its oil sector. As the article notes, the most recent initiative involved Japan: “…Hugo Chavez and Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso today agreed to cooperate on oil and gas developments in the Latin American nation, according […]
Read more »Via Gregor.us, an interesting examination of Iran’s recent announcements of new oil discoveries. As the article notes: “…People are usually shocked to learn Iran imports 50% of its gasoline. This effectively destroys a good portion of their export earnings from oil. Obviously, therefore, it would make sense for Iran to expand its domestic refining capacity. […]
Read more »According to Marc Faber, the publisher of the Gloom, Boom & Doom report, said Mongolia is “torn between two lovers – China and Russia,” and is a country with huge potential. As he notes: “The country is incredibly resource rich, another Saudi Arabia, next to the largest population in the world”
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