Russia’s Russia’s Energy Politics: Short Term Impact with Long Term Implications
August 30th, 2008
As analyzed by Stratfor (subscription required), the Russian threat of turning off lights or heat in Central and Eastern European capitals — especially in winter — is a powerful one. While Europe can succeed in its efforts to diversify its energy sources in the long term, Russia is sure to use its compelling energy lever […]
Read more »Russia Oil Companies Eye Gulf Of Mexico Exploration via Cuba
July 2nd, 2008
Via DowJones, a report that Russian energy companies OAO Gazprom (OGZPY) and OAO Lukoil Holdings (LUKOY) may revive Soviet-era ties to enter the oil-rich Gulf of the Mexico – through its Cuban backdoor. As the article notes: “…Gazprom and Lukoil “are interested by” Cuban hydrocarbons acreage, the country’s Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia told Dow […]
Read more »Lukoil, Cuba, and Venezuela
June 27th, 2008
As adroitly analyzed in Stratfor (subscription required), Russian oil firm LUKoil’s plans to purchase a refinery in Cuba are on hold because of the difficulty of investing in crude production in Venezuela. As the article notes: “…Russian oil firm LUKoil’s plans to expand into Cuba have been put on hold. LUKoil wanted to buy a […]
Read more »Russia Moves On The Caspian; Back to Iraq As Well?
January 21st, 2008
As neatly reported by Energy Daily, Russia is moving swiftly to develop projects in its own self-defined sector of the Caspian Sea. Russia’s move offshore means it is now joining post-Soviet republics Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in developing their claimed national sectors of the Caspian, leaving only Iran – stymied by U.S. trade sanctions barring […]
Read more »Uzbekistan and A Russian Energy Battle: Part of Lukoil’s Capital Flight Plan?
January 4th, 2008
Via Stratfor (subscription required), a highly interesting analysis of Uzbekistan’s status as a large natural gas producer that is locked into Russia’s interests, even though it has many potential export options beyond its large neighbor. As the article notes: “…Uzbekistan, an often-ignored energy source in the heart of Central Asia, ranks among the world’s top […]
Read more »SOCAR, So Good: Azeri-Kazakh Energy Cooperation
December 9th, 2007
As noted by Energy Daily, the Azeri government is actively reaching out to Kazakhstan and Russia as the Caspian’s ongoing hydrocarbon development produces a financial windfall for all. SOCAR, The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, is beginning to export its services to Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector by conducting onshore surveys, while Baku is also […]
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.