Caspian Pipeline Consortium: Moving Towards Russian Control
April 30th, 2009
Via Stratfor (subscription required), a report that Russia is on the cusp of acquiring BP’s stake in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipeline, which would give Moscow majority ownership of a vital energy asset. As the article notes: “…Vagit Alekperov, president of Russian oil firm LUKoil, is in Kazakhstan until May 1, meeting with officials from […]
Read more »Baku Looks East: Who Lost Azerbaijan?
April 13th, 2009
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 »China To Lend $10B To Kazakhstan In Return For Oil Stake
April 12th, 2009
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 »Venezuela Seeks Japanese Support for PDVSA
April 10th, 2009
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 »Iran’s Mysteries
April 10th, 2009
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 »Gazprom Gains Control and ENI Exhales With Relief
April 10th, 2009
Via Stratfor (subscription required), analysis of Gazprom’s $4.2 billion acquisition of the 20 percent stake in Gazprom Neft held by Italian energy giant ENI. As the article notes, the original purchase by ENI was never intended to result in a permanent stake in Gazprom Neft, but rather to help Gazprom fight off a challenge from […]
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.