Archive for the ‘Russia’ Category

Gazprom: Hungry For Hungary?

Via The Asia Times, a fascinating look at indications that Russian energy giant Gazprom may be preparing to take over a large part of the Hungarian domestic gas distribution network via a highly opaque deal which could threaten Hungary’s energy security.  As the article notes: “…On April 28, Emfesz KFT, a major Hungarian gas distribution […]

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Caspian Pipeline Consortium: Moving Towards Russian Control

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 […]

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Russia’s Squeeze on Turkmen Oil: Reverberations in Iran

Via Stratfor (subscription required), interesting analysis of the impact that a recent dispute between Russia & Turkmenistan (which resulted in Russia having an even firmer grip on Turkmenistan’s energy supplies) had upon Iran’s geopolitical power in the region.  As the article notes: “…Turkmenistan was reminded recently who calls the shots in Central Asia when Russia, […]

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Turkmenistan’s Relationship With Russia

Via Stratfor (subscription required), analysis of the political relationship between the isolated and energy-rich Central Asian country of Turkmenistan and Russia, which is growing increasingly tense these days.  As the report notes: “…Turkmenistan and Russia exchange approximately 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually. However, when a natural gas pipeline running from Turkmenistan […]

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Dividing The Caspian

Via Energy Daily, an interesting look at the Caspian region which – since 1991 – has emerged as the world’s leading untapped energy source over which numerous nations/interests have been vying.  However, as noted in the article below, the biggest roadblock to the full development of these hydrocarbon resources remains the fact that 18 years […]

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Turkey: A Geopolitical Pivot In Central Asia

Via The Center for Research on Globalization, interesting analysis of Turkey’s role & increased significance in the years ahead: “…If Ankara decides to collaborate more closely with Russia, Georgia’s position is precarious and Azerbaijan’s natural gas pipeline route to Europe, the so-called Nabucco Pipeline, is blocked. If it cooperates with the United States and manages to […]

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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.