"..From Alexander's Gas & Oil......................
Fear?
These days the newspapers were filled again with statements like: Out of fear of possible disruptions... or in fear of what might happen when the US would attack Iran... in fear for social unrest... And what always follows is that the oilprice has risen again. Whether some possible thoughts on a war that might never happen, some social unrest that may possibly disrupt some oil or a swarm of helicopters staging an attack in a oil-less corner of a country that doesn’t produce much oil anyway at the moment; ‘The Market’ is jittery, or nervous, or apparently fearful, but always finds again a reason to increase the oilprice.
What is this ‘The Market’? Often it is spoken of as something alive, as if it has an independent life of its own. Yes, there seems to be a kind of collective intelligence, all directed to maximizing ‘what the market can give’. But isn’t it actually that some, possibly in the end only a few, people find any reason, any at all it sometimes seems, to extract, or extort, more money from the world-market, in the end the normal citizens, to feed their frenzy greed to make as much money as possible?
What is the relation these days between supply and demand? Is there still one? Or is there a basic price, ever more increased by ‘war-premiums’, ‘terror-premiums’ and whatever premiums that can be thought of the make digestible to the uninformed that we are living in a time of shortage and therefore a higher price is needed to supply the world-markets. It is just not anymore true these days. Speculators are determining the market and the huge amounts of money they earn are ‘re-invested’ in speculations on the oilprice, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of rising oilprices.
How many times a barrel of oil is sold these days before it is refined or used?
It is time we start looking for ‘regime-change’ to find a system that is based on different principles than the principle of excessive greed that these days is almost determining the market.
Alexander
I welcome your response at alexander@gas-oil-power.com
Issue #8 has been published on Thursday, April 20, 2006.
The site has been updated with the following news stories:
News and Trends:
Europe
Tunisia and Italy sign gas pipeline deals
Greece can become energy path towards Europe
Moscow issues warning to the West
Norway sets rules for oil and gas exploration in the Barents Sea
German Chancellor defends gas pipeline plan
India and EU discuss energy issues
British survey says homes of the future need to go green
Russia satisfied with German partnership
Libya and the Netherlands discuss oil cooperation
EU states drag their feet on renewables
Bulgaria wants south-eastern European energy projects completed
Ireland urged to put wind power top of the agenda
Report warns Ireland is too dependent on imported oil
Romania has highest electricity prices
Black Sea states agree to set up common Euroregion
Norway puts restrictions on petroleum activity in the north
Carbon capture and storage technologies: Where do we stand?
Turkmen gas supply to ensure Europe’s energy independence
Greece gives green light to renewable energy
Ministers agree to extend Arab gas pipeline to Turkey
Romania believes Europe seeks energy alternatives to Russia
Bulgaria may opt for Egyptian natural gas supply
Europe must limit its energy dependence on Russia to 25 %
EU must cease use of oil for transport sector
Go to News and Trends Europe
Middle East
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to be operational Dec. 2006
China to grant Yemen $ 400 mm oil infrastructure loan
Iran needs 20 nuclear power plants to create enough energy
US fears that Venezuela may be sharing uranium with Iran
UN urges Iran to be transparent about its nuclear program
Japan and Saudi Arabia call for nuclear-free Middle East
Saudi Arabia’s resources will be unable to cope with global demand
Building of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is a strategic decision
Iran to rank third in natural gas production worldwide
Afghanistan seeks Iran’s assistance in power projects
Iraq approves construction of Iran-Syria oil pipeline via its territory
Petrol pumps run dry in Iraq’s Kirkuk
Kuwait's oil refining capacity to reach 1.4 mm bpd by 2011
The risks of an American strike on Iran
Iran, Pakistan and India to pursue pipeline
Production and marketing of Yemeni natural gas
Public sector oil firms raise energy security issues about Iran pipeline
Middle East conference talks on preserving oil reserves
Ministers agree to extend Arab gas pipeline to Turkey
New technologies vital for future of Middle East oil sector
$ 270 bn oil windfall for GCC
Iraq reports on March crude output
Kuwait positioned to become major global hub for energy research
Qatar has become largest LNG exporter worldwide
Saudi Arabia increases oil production capacity
Go to News and Trends Middle East
Central Asia
Turkmenistan reaches out for gas to China
Analyst urges Azerbaijan to reduce dependency on oil price
Azerbaijan reports on oil production
Text of Turkmen-China gas pipeline deal
China and Turkmenistan to boost energy cooperation
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia to take part in Kars-Tbilisi-Baku project
Oil being stolen from Baku-Supsa pipeline
Azerbaijan’s losses in oil and gas extraction industry exceed norms
Azerbaijan to develop programs on purification of oil-polluted areas
Turkmen gas supply to ensure Europe’s energy independence
Azeri energy minister calls for pipeline from Turkmenistan
Russia resisting proposed trans-Caspian pipeline
Go to News and Trends Central Asia
CIS / Russia
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to be operational Dec. 2006
Cost of Siberia-Pacific pipeline construction to be revised
Russia says experts approve first section of Siberia-Pacific pipeline
Moscow issues warning to the West
Russia satisfied with German partnership
Russia proposes to be a partner in Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline
Building of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is a strategic decision
Afghanistan seeks Iran’s assistance in power projects
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia to take part in Kars-Tbilisi-Baku project
Minister forecasts Russia’s 2030 eastern gas production
Russia plans to send 25 % of gas exports to Asia-Pacific by 2020
Russia and Myanmar to enhance oil cooperation
Russian minister fears oil refining crisis
Russia may invest oil windfall in corporate bonds
Putin explains it all
Korea and Uzbekistan agree on oil and gas programs
China and Russia to construct floating nuclear power plants
Russia resisting proposed trans-Caspian pipeline
Timan-Pechora Basin still fails to carve out economical export route
Go to News and Trends CIS / Russia
E & SE Asia
Australians turn sunshine into gas
China to grant Yemen $ 400 mm oil infrastructure loan
New Zealand needs to be more prudent in power use
Japan and Saudi Arabia call for nuclear-free Middle East
India and EU discuss energy issues
Turkmenistan reaches out for gas to China
New Zealand re-evaluates energy efficiency strategy
Sri Lanka seeks loan from Saudi Arabia to boost oil refinery
India’s minister of petroleum addresses US Energy Association
Taiwan’s energy policy needs revamping
China initiates draft of energy law
Russia proposes to be a partner in Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline
China should prioritize oil and gas exploration in geological surveys
China and Turkmenistan to boost energy cooperation
Text of Turkmen-China gas pipeline deal
KPMG cautions India on heavy coal reliance
Russia and Myanmar to enhance oil cooperation
Pakistan fights revolt in Baluchistan
China warns of death sentence for oil theft
Indian firms seek a place in Canadian oil sands
Iran, Pakistan and India to pursue pipeline
Ratio of Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration success is high in world
Australia's challenge of energy security
Pakistan attracts $ 1 bn investment in petroleum sector
Pakistan’s oil imports fall 2 %
China and Russia to construct floating nuclear power plants
China is forging new links with Latin America
Indonesia to reduce gas exports
Does Pakistan have enough gas to burn?
Vietnam to cut diesel and gasoline sulphur content
China to take measures to reduce energy consumption in construction
China to invest $ 22.5 bn in oil refining sector
Go to News and Trends E & SE Asia
Africa
Tunisia and Italy sign gas pipeline deals
Libya and the Netherlands discuss oil cooperation
Nigeria and Sao Tome withdraw three oil blocks from auction
Nigeria’s police takes action on pipeline vandalisation
Hope of rescuing Africa from poverty endangered by high oil prices
Kenya offers to build oil pipeline from Southern Sudan to Lamu
Africa needs more investment in its huge oil and gas potential
Angola becomes China's top source of crude oil
ECOWAS plans $ 50 bn project to boost energy access in west Africa
Why global oil focus is shifting to Nigeria
Nigeria plans new development strategies for Niger Delta
Uganda is still a long way from much-needed solution to energy crisis
Sudan may create nuclear program to generate electricity
Go to News and Trends Africa
Latin America
US fears that Venezuela may be sharing uranium with Iran
Everyone wants a share of Belize’s newly discovered black gold
Ecuador’s new oil law to gain government $ 600 mm/year
Peru's presidential candidate to respect existing exploration contracts
Argentina’s Mendoza province to launch E&P tenders
Bolivia to nationalize oil and gas sector
Ecuadorean Congress approves bill increasing revenue from oil firms
Argentina expects biofuels law to attract $ 264 mm investment
In Brazil, the driving is sweeter
Brazil could offer up to 16,500 MW in second generation auction
China is forging new links with Latin America
Bolivia criticizes Brazil and Argentina about gas price negotiations
US and Mexico to collaborate on capture and reuse of methane gas
Aneel to launch tender for 14 transmission lines
Go to News and Trends Latin America
North America
Energy bill aims to break America's dependence on foreign oil
US fears that Venezuela may be sharing uranium with Iran
NCGA joins push for natural gas exploration in Outer Continental Shelf
India’s minister of petroleum addresses US Energy Association
Some 20 US states take the lead on alternative energy ideas
Relief in sight for North American natural gas
The risks of an American strike on Iran
The car of the future
Indian firms seek a place in Canadian oil sands
There are no easy answers to oil limits
Gulf of Mexico incentives to cost US government at least $ 20 bn
Environmentalists challenge Alberta’s oil sands assessment
Wyoming seeks remedy to oil glut
Canadian tar sands: The good, the bad, and the ugly
US and Mexico to collaborate on capture and reuse of methane gas
Go to News and Trends North America
Company News:
Europe
Supply is a burning issue for UK gas consumers
Norway raises gas supply to UK
Chevron wins exploration rights in Norwegian Barents Sea
Russia and Slovakia to talk about gas supply and transit
Norway shields parts of Arctic from oil drilling
MOL closes sale of gas business to E.ON
RWE plans clean-coal power plant
Gaz de France may join Gazprom’s North European Gas Pipeline
Norway to present its Arctic Management Plan
Gazprom sets eyes on 30 % of Europe’s gas market
German ex-chancellor Schroeder voted in as pipeline boss
IOC kicks off investment deal discussions with Turkey’s Caliak
Wintershall to invest EUR 450 mm in oil and gas exploration
EU clears ENI and Portuguese partners to buy energy provider Galp
Go to Company News Europe
Middle East
Kuwait to invite bids for $ 6 bn oil refinery
Saudi Aramco and McDermott sign upstream pipeline contracts
Emerald Energy to drill three wells on Syrian prospect
Iran is able to turn into regional electricity hub
New scheme to encourage oil industries investment in Yemen
Consortium wins block in Oman
ADNOC to invest $ 20 bn in oil and gas production
QatarGas 3 and 4 LNG projects break ground
Qatar Gas Transport Company to build largest LNG carriers ever
UAE-US joint venture begins major expansion
Sinochem and UAE to develop offshore gas field in Arabian Sea
Saudi Aramco plans three takeoffs in 2006
SPC and ADNOC sign agreements with ExxonMobil
Go to Company News Middle East
Central Asia
Azerbaijan to explore wind and solar energy prospects
Shah Deniz subsea pipe laying successfully completed
AIOC reports on gas output
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to be ready late May
Russia and Kazakhstan to raise Caspian pipeline output capacity
EBRD to allocate $ 150 mm for power station upgrade in Azerbaijan
Kazakhstan and China to jointly build Kazakh power plant
BTC pipeline construction operator faces $ 400 mm claim
KazTransOil marks nine years of activity
AIOC to hand over up to 3 bn cm of gas to Azerbaijan
LUKoil to control American oil and gas firm in Kazakh field
AIOC and SOCAR report on oil transport to Novorossiysk
Go to Company News Central Asia
CIS / Russia
Gazprom says Shtokman field bigger than thought
Gazprom to gain control of part of Iran-Armenia pipeline
Russia increases oil exports to China
Armenian official denies pipeline deal
Brazilian energy companies looking for energy partnership with Russia
ArmRosGazprom to own Armenian thermal plant and part of pipeline
Russia and Slovakia to talk about gas supply and transit
Gazexport to approve gas deliveries to China by yearend
Russia and Kazakhstan to raise Caspian pipeline output capacity
Gazprom estimates cost of NEGP at $ 10.5 bn
NEGP investments to also fund gas transit system in Russia’s northwest
Gazprom mulls $ 3 bn annual pipeline repair investment until 2010
Caspian Oil & Gas secures additional licences in Kyrgyz Republic
Russia reports on gas exports
Sibneft to be renamed into Gazpromneft
Gazprom and Moldova agree on gas supplies
Gaz de France may join Gazprom’s North European Gas Pipeline
Gazprom sets eyes on 30 % of Europe’s gas market
Turkish transit could be sole alternative to Gazprom
Gazprom orders Belarus to pay European rates
German ex-chancellor Schroeder voted in as pipeline boss
Gazprom finalizing NEGP term for Ruhrgas
Yukos to be declared bankrupt
Tajikistan and Gazprom set to sign oil and gas joint venture deal
KNOC and three other South Korean firms to join Russian oil exploration
Azeri company to construct South Caucasus pipeline in Georgia
Go to Company News CIS / Russia
E & SE Asia
China launches Asia's largest offshore gas drilling platform
India to bypass Bangladesh to tap Myanmar gas
ExxonMobil and Pertamina may delay Cepu oil drilling on rig scarcity
US group seeks investment in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector
Sinopec to pump Sichuan field by 2008
Russia increases oil exports to China
ONGC to buy 15 % stake in Brazilian oil field
Philippines invite 15 firms for Malampaya oil development
Chevron Indonesia to start exploration at Kisaran Block
China and Australia sign ethane and oil exploration deals
IOC plans to lay LPG pipelines to cut costs
PetroVietnam signs deals with Pogo Producing and Keeper Resources
Medco and Chevron eye $ 400 mm joint investment
M3nergy consortium gets energy contract in India
Australia’s uranium exports to rise fivefold
Gazexport to approve gas deliveries to China by yearend
Thailand to open bidding round for petroleum concessions
Australian Pipeline Trust to embark on first major diversification
IOC to invest in Orissa petrochemicals unit
Sell-off of SSGC and SNGPL not to affect Pakistan’s LNG project
Public sector oil firms raise energy security issues about Iran pipeline
Chinese oil imports escalate
Nippon Oil to step up refining activity in China
UAE shows interest in Pakistan's energy sector
Kazakh company opens office in Beijing
GAIL India starts gas exploration in Tripura
BPCL signs deal with Petrobras and Foresight
India launches auction of 55 oil and gas exploration blocks
Growing LNG demand creates supply worry in Japan
SK Corp. moving upstream with ambitions on oil fields
Korea and Uzbekistan agree on oil and gas programs
Nippon Oil renews and expands China Oil crude processing deal
Petronas plans investment for Ninth Malaysia Plan
Seven foreign companies ready to invest in East Java field
Indian oil field services firms see big business times
Sinopec to spend $ 4.94 bn to develop gas field
Foreign firms to bid for oil contract in troubled northeast India
Woodside and Mitsui approve Australian oil project
Go to Company News E & SE Asia
Africa
Angola field not for OVL
PetroSA has stake in Namibian oil venture with Russian firm
SOCO finalizes award of Marine XI block offshore Congo
Nigeria to invest $ 22 bn in upstream oil sector by 2010
OMV encouraged by Tunisian oil and gas finds
Nineteen firms show interest in Ethiopia's gas fields
West African Gas Pipeline needs local distribution company
ExxonMobil and Sonatrach discuss Niger energy deal
Shell Group to invest in Algeria
BP says lack of rigs is hampering Nile Delta exploration
Ethiopia signs agreement with Afar Exploration
Woodside resolves exploration dispute with Mauritania
Mauritania sells first petroleum exports to China
BHP Billiton keen to drill off South African and Namibian coast
CNOOC buys $ 60 mm stake in Nigerian oil field
Oil majors won’t jump on Sudan’s oil riches yet
Go to Company News Africa
Latin America
ONGC to buy 15 % stake in Brazilian oil field
Ecuador to develop new oil field in Amazon by year-end
Brazilian energy companies looking for energy partnership with Russia
Venezuela to award Repsol-YPF and Teikoku gas exploration licenses
New conditions for oil firms in Venezuela
Venezuela optimistic about new joint ventures
Oil MS Brazil invites Zarubezhneft to develop Brazil oil fields
Venezuela to tender offshore Guarapiche block
New PdVSA join venture partners to receive shares and vouchers
Gazprom and Stroytransgaz may build pipeline in Latin America
Peru reports on oil and gas output
Colombia signs five new oil and gas exploration contracts
Petrobras signs new production contracts in Venezuela
Statoil was not forced to sell out Venezuelan oil field
Venezuela takes control of oil field from Total
ENI receives notice of contract termination for Venezuelan field
Argentina to call for bids to expand gas pipelines
Camisea liquid gas pipeline ruptures for fifth time
Pemex oil output expected to drop without extra investment
Venezuelan Congress approves new oil joint venture rules
ExxonMobil looks to stay in Venezuela
Two US firms to explore for oil and gas off Nicaragua’s coast
Oil independents tap smaller opportunities in Argentina
YPFB to sign energy MoU with Shaw Group
Venezuela steps up pursuit of foreign oil companies for tax
Peru awards exploration contracts to Amerada Hess and Petrobras
Venezuela sends bill to Total's Sincor extra heavy crude project
Go to Company News Latin America
North America
Lawmaker wants copy of North Slope gas deal
Alaska to fine BP for pipeline spill
Statoil signs participation pacts to explore Gulf of Mexico
Crude oil pipeline being built in Rocky Mountains
Alberta sees first of a new generation of oil sands projects
The next big idea to develop a carbon capture system
US biodiesel industry gets boost from Big Oil
US energy exploration intensifies
ExxonMobil’s new face
Gulf of Mexico sees loss in oil royalties
Go to Company News North America
Contracts Awarded:
This service has been transferred to our Contracts & Tenders Newsletter
Discoveries:
Stratic Energy and partners score successful appraisal wells in Turkey
AED confirms oil discovery in Timor Sea
Sinopec discovers China's biggest natural gas field
OMV announces oil and gas discovery in Tunisia
China finds gas in East China Sea
Statoil finds oil and gas on Gudrun structure in North Sea
Kazakh oil firm finds oil near Chinese border
ChevronTexaco and ExxonMobil announce oil strike in Africa
Premier Oil finds six new gas zones
gasandoil.com
Features:
Geopolitics is starting to impact crude markets
Three Western views on oil and energy prospects
Ethanol -- an alternative to petrol?
It is time to sit up and take notice of Peak Oil
Oil firms hope extra investment helps them avoid decline in production
Natural gas looming as next major energy source
Why does the global oil price soar up?
gasandoil.com
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