To: TobagoJack who wrote (38078 ) 8/8/2008 10:05:43 PM From: gregor_us Read Replies (2) | Respond to Hi TJ. There are lots of moving parts here. If we go back in time, we know that Putin likely has an historical grudge about the BTC pipeline, as it effectively pumps oil out of "his sphere" into the West, while avoiding Russian soil. So it dilutes (though does not break) his iron control over energy supply, to the West. So my concern for Georgia is that Russia would love an excuse to gain more control there. Given that the BTC pipeline carries 850kb/day, I also don't think the West can allow Russia to control the region. What's interesting about strategic pipelines, is that they are proxies for production. In many parts of the world, production takes place with redundant pipelines. But the BTC is crucial. Without it, they shut down some production in the Caspian, as there is no place to store the pumped crude. So the BTC pipeline is effectively part of the oil field.
