... attain this level Iraq will need to act quicker than Saudis during their boom years of 1960s and early 1970s, or twice as fast as Russia during 2000s. Following US invasion and overthrow of Saddam, about ¼ of Iraqi output was lost in comparison to year 2000, which means it will be a major challenge with the current difficult political climate.
Europe Refines A Meltdown
As a consequence of recent energy trends the European oil refineries are in systemic crisis. USA’s reduction of gasoline imports due to shale and commissioning ...
... Please, feel free to comment & enjoy!
Personal Note:
This is the second post in a two-part special with one of the leading Russian experts on energy matters, Dr. Tatiana Mitrova. To view the first part of this series focusing on the European-Russian relations, click the following link: European Energy Woes. Moreover, for those that follow my blog, as promised in one of my earliest post's, I ask Mitrova about the validity of Mikhail Krutikhin's (leading Russian energy critic) standpoint on the possibility of subsidising the Chinese ...
... findings and research conducted. In this first post of two-part special, a Europe-Russia focused question and answer session is outlined with Dr. Tatiana Mitrova, whereas in the subsequent second post, coming later, we look at China-Russia.
Europe-Russia ‘Special Deal Severed’:
In normal day-to-day life Europe has a stable and diversified supply structure. It is currently doing enough to diversify its supplies so it does not undermine its energy security, but for a region which will dependent on imports for 80% (some sources even indicate 88-90%) of its energy needs by 2025-2030, it will naturally be more susceptible to risks. Any setbacks, or sudden events, ala Fukushima or Arab Spring ...
... soured creating an anti-Russian stance. Has this occurred due to European attempts to lower gas import prices, or more serious underlining issues? Europe’s potential alternative pipeline has even been called “Nabucco” – does Europe really feel enslaved by the Russia energy dependence in a Verdian sense?
For far too long, EU-Russian relations have been notoriously bad – with low-level bureaucratic management overriding strategic considerations and genuine political cooperation. Just as a number of national ...
... Natural Gas in Russia's Eastern Energy Strategy: Dream or Reality. Also, please feel free to comment or leave a like, its always more productive to engage in a discussion!
Route 2030: Dream or Reality?
The rising politicization of Euro-Russian energy relations is casting doubt over future volumes of oil and gas supply to Europe, according to two researchers from Masaryk University. Their recent article evaluates the difference between policy ambitions shown by Russia and the official “Energy Strategy to 2030” (ES-2030) publication; released in 2009. M. Mareš ...
... Gazprom, issued a statement that a deal is due to be finalised in June (See: InterfaxEnergy). The gas deal is for 38 bcm of gas, which is less than anticipated 68 bcm and vitally price was not set, which is obviously a serious concern (See: InterFax Energy). Additionally, Russia was unable to play-off Europe against China, due to the latters pressure. Russia hoped to supply both markets with its European gas fields, thus making its customers compete against each other (See: Reuters). However, on the brightside Gazprom agreed with China in regards to ...
... – that is much more than $400 paid by Europe ($500 paid by Ukraine). Further, in 2016 US should begin exporting shale gas to Europe. Traditional energy suppliers will need to keep a close eye on these developments and they may well be forced to soon drop prices for natural ... ... make their products competitive. As experts at VNIIGAZ argue, an institute for natural gas, large scale shale production in Russia does not make economic sense before around 2025-2030. Russia has plenty of natural gas, the most in the world, and realistically ...
... It is the same in Kazakhstan, as there have been attempts to try to move away from the economy that is dependent on the exports of oil and gas.
The recent relationship amid Russia and certain European states has soured leading to arguably an anti-Russian stance, particularly in regards to energy policies. Has this occurred due to European attempts to lower gas/oil import prices or more stern underlining issues? E.U. works with ‘sheikh style’ regimes of Central Asia – so additionally does the model of governance influence relations?
That is a good, but difficult ...
... bargaining arsenal which had an array of tools, be it: alternative energy or environmental projects, an alternative supplier (e.g. US coal) or an event (Russo-Ukrainian Gas Price Dispute); all aimed at lowering prices for European consumers. But, recently Europe has shifted from shrewd trade to the reengineering of the energy sector, which does not account for industry realities or Russian and peculiarly even its own interests as it is undermining its own energy security.
Long-Term Contracts a No-No:
An area of contention stimulating uncertainty is the debate amid long-term contracts and hub trading which is set to be introduced ...
... quite traditional, things in fact can alter swiftly with states or energy firms being like poker players; individual skill mainly rules the result, but at times one wins due to something beyond one’s control. The awful Fukushima Disaster boosted energy demand in Asia which was up to that time losing pace and the anti-nuclear sentiment has now carried itself over into much of Europe. Depending on the individual event and its longevity, states could capitalise in various ways, Russia has a big, albeit long-term opportunity in respect to the Asian market. But as discussed the issue of export and the local base is key as it will decided the end price. Unless Russia offsets the cost for gas from the current $400 per 1000 cubic ...
