Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Uncertainty in Oil

Check out the below video. Alexander Mirtchev, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Kazakhstan Sustainable Development Fund, Kazyna, discusses commodities price volatility.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oJkAzwsdLg

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Galoc Oil Field

BusinessWorld Online is reporting that production has resumed at Galoc field in northwest Palawan. Operations were suspended in June due to bad weather.


The Galoc oil field is estimated to contain 10 million barrels of oil, and produces between 12,000 and 14,000 barrels per day. Crude oil from Galoc is expected to generate foreign exchange savings for the country worth over a billion dollars during its lifetime. The oil field’s production is 6% of the country’s total demand of 300,000 barrels.


Vitol has a 68.6 percent stake in GPC along with Otto Energy with 31.4 percent.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Gas Embargo on Iran

There has been a lot of talk in Washington about cutting off Iran's gas imports to pressure Iran to stop enriching uranium. Robert Naiman of The Huffington Post wrote on this issue and explains why this, in his words, is a "stupid idea."

For one, Naiman says, without the support of other allies, this type of action would have little impact. "A U.S.-sponsored gas embargo on Iran isn't likely to have much impact if Russia, China, Turkey and half of Europe aren't cooperating - after all, it's not the U.S. that's exporting gas to Iran - unless it is imposed by force. "

Naiman also points out that Iranian retaliation, which they have threatened to do by stopping oil exports to the West, could have a significant effect on gas prices in the U.S. He estimates a price jump of 30%, which could have political implications for Obama. "If you think the teabagger right wing in the U.S. is nuts now, wait until they can blame $4 a gallon gas on an Obama Iran gas embargo demanded by the Israel Lobby," Naiman says.

Naiman suggests several other reasons why a gas embargo is a bad idea in addition to lack of support, Iran retaliation, and increased gas prices. He makes some really interesting points. I suggest you check out his article, "Mr. Mousavi's Gas Embargo on Iran?"