Russia – Oct 17

October 17, 2006

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Shell Welcomes Gazprom at Sakhalin, Says All Issues Resolved

MosNews
International oil major Royal Dutch/Shell said on Monday, Oct. 16, that it has fully addressed all ecological issues at its Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project. The company’s chief executive Jeroen van der Veer told an investment advisory council chaired by Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov that the company is seeking dialogue with the Russian authorities.

As MosNews reported, Sakhalin-2 has come under pressure from the Kremlin over a number of ecological and technical issues, which analysts say is part of a broader Kremlin campaign to limit foreign involvement in the strategic energy sector.
(16 Oct 2006)


Russia pledges to check all oil firms amid Shell row

Mikhail Yenukov and Tanya Mosolova, Reuters
No big oil firm in Russia will be spared from a campaign of environmental inspections in coming months, officials said on Monday, a move analysts said may be designed to shade attacks on a Shell-led (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile, Research) project.

Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry said on Monday it had asked the Federal Tax Service to provide information on 398 licences held by Russia’s top oil firm LUKOIL, following a threat to withdraw 20 licences last week.

…”We are warning other companies: if you have arrangements with local authorities and think that you are far from Moscow… you are at serious risk,” said Oleg Mitvol, deputy head of RosPrirodNadzor
(16 Oct 2006)


Experts Predict Black-Out Winters in Europe

kommersant.com
Russian gas exports to Europe will grow no more than 25 percent and will not surpass 200 billion cu. before 2016, a report of the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies says. Russian is unable to cover a growing energy demand of Europe, and as soon as in 2010 the European Union will face a gas shortage. As early as in winter 2006 it will take its toll on the European energy industry, sparkling power shortfalls, analysts from Cap Gemini says.

Vladimir Putin’s new energy initiatives and calls of the French-German council for Russia to keep to the EU Energy Charter have made analysts to reconsider the energy industry of the European Union. The Oxford Institute of Energy Studies (OIES) released a report on Friday examining the short-term outlook of the European energy market. The researchers say that Gazprom will be unable to keep on increasing gas exports to Europe in 2010. As soon as in 2016, Europe will be unable to cover the growing energy demand. As early as in 2010, Europe may experience first breaks in supplies.
(14 Oct 2006)


Tags: Fossil Fuels, Industry, Natural Gas, Oil