March 2006

Alexander's
Gas & Oil
Connections

alexander@gas-oil-power.com

Training Courses Fundamentals of International Petroleum Industry

Joint Ventures and Alliances

London - 13 March 2006

Introduction to Offshore Drilling

Houston - 27 April 2006

Emissions Trading Training

London, UK - 18/19 May 2006

Events Conquering New Frontier Oil and Gas Exploration

March 22 - 23, 2006

London, UK

More information at the conference website.

International Boundary Disputes and Unitisation in E&P 2006

Proven strategies to predict, manage and expedite operations within contested boundaries of oil and gas reserves

March 28 - 29, 2006

The Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

More information at the conference website.

LNG Contracts, Trading and Pricing March 28 - 29, 2006

Contractual strategies to manage mounting risks along your LNG supply chain

The Selfridge Hotel, London, UK

More information at the conference website . Tel. +44 (0) 207 368 9300

Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition  and

CIOOE:

China International Offshore Oil & Gas Exhibition

03 April - 05 April 2006

Beijing, China.

Books at Amazon.com

Introduction to Petroleum Reservoir Analysis

(Contributions in Petroleum Geology and Engineering)

Petroleum Geology of the Continental Shelf of North West Europe

Petroleum Geology of the North Sea: Basic Concepts and Recent Advances

Elements of Petroleum Geology

Petroleum Geochemistry and Geology

Advances in Petroleum Geochemistry: Volume 1

(Advances in Petroleum Geochemistry)

You can order these and other books at amazon.com.

Do we actually need to worry?

Looking at the current global development around oil and gas,

the question came up whether we actually do need to worry?

There have been some significant finds recently in the Caspian, Asia and Africa. The market is said to be almost over supplied. And the major growth-markets in Asia are doing their best to reduce their energy-intensity, so the growth of energy-usage may not be as substantial as the projections are foreseeing. There is also a very substantial growth in LNG projects providing gas and power to many areas.

But then we read that the permafrost is receding,

endangering projects that literally stand on ice.

Or projects near to the coast that are in danger of being flooded by increasing sea-levels.

Or we read from 3 super-giants oil fields that suddenly produce much less and of which the depletion-rate is much higher than expected.

Or the everlasting discussion on the resource-base is flaring up again, of which it is impossible to know who to believe when is said who has how much oil (or gas). Or we see preparations for military actions that may bring turmoil, not only to the oil and gas markets.

Or we see increasing freak weather-patterns.

It makes me think of a saying a wise lady once said: "Worry is like a rocking horse: it keeps you busy but brings you nowhere."

Nevertheless it seems wise to start preparing for a very different world in the future.

Alexander

I welcome your response at alexander@gas-oil-power.com

Issue #5 has been published on Thursday, March 09, 2006.

The site has been updated with the following news stories:

News and Trends:

Europe

Tanker narrowly misses crash with Ottoman palace in Istanbul

EU and China sign carbon dioxide memorandum

Norway’s views about the G8’s focus on energy

Norway offers 192 oil exploration blocks

India and France sign declaration for civilian nuclear energy cooperation

Romania seeks energy alternatives

Iraq to continue importing Turkish oil products

Five countries in charge of Constanta-Trieste oil pipeline construction

US offers Turkey latest technology in nuclear energy

UK customers paid nearly £ 1 bn more for gas this winter

Norwegian bourse director suggests euro-based oil bourse

UK energy industry urges action amid blackout fears

Italy poised to be major gas transit nation

Ukrainian oil pipeline to be extended to Poland

Antitrust threat to open up EU energy market

Turkey is carefully making plans to make transition to nuclear energy

Britain could rule the waves with tidal power

A buoyant climate for renewable energy in Eastern Europe

EU commissioner calls for energy policy harmonisation

Italy wants to close the oil era in plants by 2010

EU recommends research into hydrogen and fuel cell future

EIB backs Iran gas pipeline plan to Europe

EU calls on Russia to establish clear conditions for energy security

Deloitte publishes UK’s energy requirements to 2020

Go to News and Trends Europe

Middle East

India and Iran pledge to continue gas pipeline project

Iran to build oil refinery in Indonesia

IEA believes unrest overshadows Iraqi oil production

Peaceful uses of atomic energy

Iran is targeting 20,000 MW of electricity from nuclear power

China to soon complete deal for Iranian oil and gas

Iran, oil and euros: The war scenario

Lebanon reveals plan to establish floating LNG plant

OPEC may cut output because of over-supply

Qatari oil minister sees world oil markets are oversupplied

Iraq to continue importing Turkish oil products

OPEC trims forecast for 2006 oil demand growth

Will GCC oil capacity expansion meet projections?

India and Pakistan reiterate commitment to Iran pipeline

China respects Iran's right for nuclear energy

Iran says it is committed to non-proliferation treaty

Iran's national supply network to reach gas-rich Bushehr province

Nobody has the right to interfere in Iran-Armenia Gas Pipeline

UAE petroleum and chemical industry to face tough rules

EIB backs Iran gas pipeline plan to Europe

Go to News and Trends Middle East

Central Asia

The Sheik of Moscow: Putin gets another title in Baku

Kazakhstan continues talks with Russia on gas exports to Europe

Russian energy minister sees problems with Caspian pipeline venture

Russia proposes oil transportation deal to Azerbaijan

India to join Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline

Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia and Turkey to cooperate on energy

Turkmenistan criticises Ukraine about gas debt

Azerbaijan to contribute to regional energy projects

Turkmenistan to supply 3.2 bn cf of gas to Pakistan

Trans-Afghan Pipeline committee takes important steps

TAP pipeline to be good for Afghanistan

IFC allots $400 mm to Azerbaijan since 1996

Go to News and Trends Central Asia

CIS / Russia

Russia to speed up energy exports to Asia

Kazakhstan continues talks with Russia on gas exports to Europe

Russian energy minister sees problems with Caspian pipeline venture

Yellow oily snow falls on Sakhalin Island

Russia proposes oil transportation deal to Azerbaijan

The Sheik of Moscow: Putin gets another title in Baku

Pipeline accident in Ukraine disrupts gas delivery to households

India to join Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline

Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia and Turkey to cooperate on energy

Oil slick detected off Black Sea port in Georgia

Turkmenistan criticises Ukraine about gas debt

Ukraine to invest $ 2 bn in gas pipeline system modernization

Ukrainian oil pipeline to be extended to Poland

Trans-Afghan Pipeline committee takes important steps

TAP pipeline to be good for Afghanistan

Russia's new nuclear strategy

GUAM energy experts meet in Georgia

Nobody has the right to interfere in Iran-Armenia gas pipeline

Long-touted pipeline from Turkmenistan may come off the ground

Russia proposes development of world gas market

Russia starts chairmanship of G8 with increasing self-confidence

EU calls on Russia to establish clear conditions for energy security

Russia as a newborn superpower: Putin as the lord of oil and gas

Russia may need 40 new nuclear reactors by 2030

Go to News and Trends CIS / Russia

E & SE Asia

Russia to speed up energy exports to Asia

Insurgents blow up gas pipelines in Pakistan’s Balochistan province

China and India to test oil demand with price reform

India and Iran pledge to continue gas pipeline project

India to offer 55 new oil and gas exploration blocks

Iran to build oil refinery in Indonesia

India explores alternative gas pipeline route through north-east

Korean president to visit Africa

China to complete deal for Iranian oil and gas soon

EU and China sign carbon dioxide memorandum

Pakistan considers energy route for China to access Central Asia

India's hunger for energy

South Korea wants to shut down aging US military oil pipeline

Myanmar’s gas exports raise political and strategic issues

East Timor takes steps to avoid pitfalls of oil wealth

India seeks infra status for pipeline projects

Indonesia to offer 27 oil and gas blocks

India and France sign declaration for civilian nuclear energy cooperation

India to join Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline

China outpacing US in global energy market

Vietnam to develop indigenous nuclear industry

India and Pakistan reiterate commitment to Iran pipeline

Pakistan seeks more nuclear power plants from China

Turkmenistan to supply 3.2 bn cf of gas to Pakistan

Trans-Afghan Pipeline committee takes important steps

China respects Iran's right for nuclear energy

Japanese putting all their energy into saving fuel

Iran gas pipeline crucial for India’s energy security

TAP pipeline to be good for Afghanistan

South Korea aims to add 3.5 mm bbl oil to reserves

Long-touted pipeline from Turkmenistan may come off the ground

Researcher finds India and China must reallocate world oil resources

Economic planner warns China’s oil refinery capacity must rise

China is world’s second largest power generator

CPC's development proposal signals balanced growth

New-energy cars initiate China’s first step toward industrialization

China needs to cut dependence on oil

Go to News and Trends E & SE Asia

Africa

Mauritania sets up committee to watch oil income

Korean president to visit Africa

Nigeria's shadowy oil rebels

Militants issue "total war" warning to foreign companies for Niger Delta

Africa, pleased and tortured by oil

Equatorial Guinea wants Angola's experience in oil sector

Uganda takes course of action to generate enough electricity

Africa’s role in meeting energy demand

Nigeria meets international oil pollution compensation fund requirements

Go to News and Trends Africa

Latin America

Jamaica’s environmental watchdog sees danger from oil and gas exploration

Trinidad’s and Caricom's energy needs

ANP to hold tender for 21 mature oilfields

Ecuador reaches agreement with Napo oil protesters

Venezuela is wary of global oil oversupply

The Cantarell field in Mexico -- an omen?

Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina to continue pipeline talks

Brazil poised to join nuclear elite

Go to News and Trends Latin America

North America

US government may lose $ 7 bn in oil and gas royalties

US offers Turkey latest technology in nuclear energy

US DOE backs enhanced oil recovery and CO2 sequestration

Experienced oil and gas hands become a scarce commodity

Pennsylvania wins national energy award

Time to prepare, before it's too late...

Aboriginals and environmentalists split over Mackenzie Valley pipeline

Breaking America's addiction to foreign oil: Alternative energy resources

Go to News and Trends North America

Company News:

Europe

Suez to merge with Gaz de France

ConocoPhillips and Total see cost overruns at North Sea oil platforms

Statoil signs cooperation deal with Halliburton

Petrobras wins Turkish oil exploration bid

Greece and Bulgaria to build new electricity transmission line

E.ON makes EUR 29.1 bn takeover bid for Endesa

Norsk Hydro establishes new venture fund for energy technology

Italian regulator approves ENI’s purchase of Siciliana Gas

Turkey and Egypt to found new energy company

Germany is extending its energy relations

EU energy cartels blamed for fuelling massive rises in British gas bills

Turkey to begin buying Egyptian natural gas in 2008

Italy to use up to 40 % of its gas reserves by end of March

Guascor prepares to export 450 diesel generators to Cuba

Talisman to acquire interest from Shell and Esso in North Sea fields

Romania could cash in $ 4 bn from the Constanta-Trieste pipeline

EU energy groups face antitrust investigations

E.ON Ruhrgas triples natural gas delivery deals in 2005

North Sea companies expected to sell more oil and gas fields

LUKoil buys petrol assets in US and Europe

Italian regulators fine ENI $ 345 mm for abusing dominant position

Gazprom to choose partner in North European Pipeline

Russia seeks more gas links to Europe

UK gives indications to block Gazprom’s bid for Centrica

North Sea oil boom may result in scarcity of rigs

Rigged euro gas market could cost UK £ 3 bn

Proposed Dutch power law may spark merger- and acquisition spree

Gazprom eyeing oil projects in Hungary

Go to Company News Europe

Middle East

Iran to award gas contracts to Total, Shell and Repsol

LUKoil Overseas starts operations in Red Sea

International firms apply to invest in Yemen’s oil industry

Syria to begin supplying gas to Lebanon by end of 2007

Dana Gas to conduct business according to Islamic jurisprudence

China and Iran are close to multibillion-dollar oil field deal

Iraq's oilfields runneth over, but western oil companies are hesitating

Saudi Aramco commissions Haradh gas-oil separation plant to Techint

RasGas may supply LNG to Qatar’s Dabhol power project

PEDCO drills first oil layer well of South Pars field

Pars Oil to produce 3.6 bn cfpd of gas in three phases

Thirteen foreign companies bid for nine onshore blocks in Syria

Iran improves output at Siahmakan refinery

Go to Company News Middle East

Central Asia

Kazakhstan to declare terms of exporting oil to China via pipelines

Rosneft seeks new oil assets in Kazakhstan

Ukraine may sue Turkmenistan if gas price agreement broken

AIOC reports on oil exports

China's West-East pipeline expansion to move Russian and Kazakh gas

Banks warned of liability in case Baku-Ceyhan pipeline leaks

Caspian fields will secure LUKoil’s future

Caspian oil reserves will last but export routes are urgently needed

Kazakhstan to buy stake in PetroKazakhstan from CNPC

Go to Company News Central Asia

CIS / Russia

Ukrainian forces guard energy company after ownership dispute

Sinopec leads China’s bid for TNK-BP Russian venture

Ukraine may sue Turkmenistan if gas price agreement broken

Marathon Oil may lose some Russian assets

Gazprom holds all the aces in the great game of supply and demand

Gazprom takes control of Beregovoye field from Itera

China's West-East pipeline expansion to move Russian and Kazakh gas

Should Russia focus on oil export rather that building refineries?

Georgia to launch sale of energy facilities

Yushchenko calls for RosUkrEnergo to open up

LUKoil buys petrol assets in US and Europe

RosUkrEnergo: predator or victim?

Gazprom executive outlines company's plans for LNG

Gazprom to choose partner in North European Pipeline

Rosneft to develop Russian oil fields without Total

Ottawa backs Gazprom deal

Rosneft buys stake in developer of major oil and gas deposit

Russia seeks more gas links to Europe

Russneft's arrival

Go to Company News CIS / Russia

E & SE Asia

Indonesia offers joint operation in Cepu oil block to end dispute

Kazakhstan to declare terms of exporting oil to China via pipelines

Australia awards eight new offshore oil permits

PetroVietnam strives for 65 mm ton oil equivalent reserve this year

Sinopec leads China’s bid for TNK-BP Russian venture

GAIL eyes partnerships in China

India invites for oil exploration bids

India changes norms for oil and gas profits

China Mineral plans to merge with Ivanhoe Energy’s China subsidiary

India spreads its net for gas, any gas

Santos increases energy reserves

Energy majors keen on Indian exploration blocks

Devon Energy to explore China's Yellow Sea

Total to explore gas field in north-western China

China signs oil contract with Equatorial Guinea

GAIL lays out investment for next financial year

Natural gas shortage may force closure of China’s power plants

GAIL scouts for E&P firm

GAIL to set up coal seam gas project for Arrow Energy in Australia

China's West-East pipeline expansion to move Russian and Kazakh gas

Oil Search completes sale of interests to Australian Gas Light Co.

China’s hydropower giant to invest in wind power

China and Iran are close to multibillion-dollar oil field deal

PetroChina closes major buyout process

AMEC wins 3-year extension to Malampaya oil and gas services contract

Mitsui to raise stake in Tui oil fields

China’s oil refining industry posts loss of $ 3.7 bn in 2005

Indian shipbuilders strike it rich

China's oil consumption to rise by 5.4 % in 2006

IOC and GAIL eye stake in Pakistan’s gas companies

Sinopec, PetroChina, CNOOC, BP and Shell contest for Shanghai oil

Daqing Oilfield Corp. targets 42 mm toe of oil in next five years

Exxon insists on sole operatorship of Indonesian Cepu oil block

CNOOC-Shell venture starts operation

Tractebel to advise GAIL on pipeline

Dozen power plants reel from oil shortage in Bangladesh

Go to Company News E & SE Asia

Africa

SMH starts pumping oil in Mauritania

CNPC and Madagascar Petroleum to explore Madagascar oil field

Kenya stands on threshold of severe fuel crisis

Reliance Industries to win Sudanese oil blocks

Hardman Resource’s oil discovery poses big issue for Ugandan elections

China signs oil contract with Equatorial Guinea

Shell’s Nigerian operations suffer from militant attacks

Nine foreign workers kidnapped in Niger Delta

Egypt and Turkey to found new energy company

Chevron pulls out from Nigeria’s Brass LNG project

Norsk Hydro signs exploration deal in Mozambique

Turkey to begin buying Egyptian natural gas in 2008

Mozambique signs contract with Norsk Hydro

Addax to operate block 4 in Nigeria-Sao Tome JDZ

Sudan’s oil output to double by year’s end

Angola’s Girassol oil platform increases crude oil production

India lays foundation stone for power project in Sudan

China's appetite for African oil grows

Go to Company News Africa

Latin America

Antigua preparing to capitalise on PetroCaribe initiative

Caribbean needs to go solar

PetroCaribe’s proposal is very generous to Trinidad

Petrobras ranks as world’s second best in corporate governance

PdVSA to stop filing with the SEC

Chevron to provide gas for new Colombia-Venezuela pipeline

PdVSA and ConocoPhillips to double drilling capacity at Petrozuata

Chevron will not increase Venezuelan production until 2007

PdVSA increases supply of gasoline to domestic market

Ecuador’s oil exports in turmoil as protests continue

Petrobras reports on January oil output

Petrobras reaffirms $ 18 bn investment program for 2006

Colombia expects exploration boom after record 2005 investments

Bolivia’s new YPFB president envisions continental partnership

Trinidad and Venezuela to hold talks on shared gas fields

Belize is hopeful about oil

Colombia-Venezuela pipeline construction to begin in July

Guascor prepares to export 450 diesel generators to Cuba

Venezuelan crude deliveries to Citgo could rise by 100,000 bpd

BG Group to supply LNG and build regasification terminal in Chile

Repsol-YPF signs deal with Bolivia for gas pipeline and LNG factory

Gazprom interested in Venezuela-Brazil-Argentina gas pipeline

Caricom in harmony on PetroCaribe oil deal

PdVSA buys 50 % of Ancap stake in Petrolera del Conosur

Petrobras to invest $ 5 bn in Bolivia's gas sector

Ecopetrol prequalifies four firms for Cartagena refinery contract

Meta Petroleum to increase production at central Colombian field

Go to Company News Latin America

North America

Marubeni acquires Gulf of Mexico oil and gas fields from Pioneer

Gas pipeline from Alaska won't eliminate long-term supply challenges

Energy companies to build Alaska gas pipeline

Centurion Energy to buy US firm with oil and gas assets in Egypt

Boston sees more LNG ships in harbour

Quoddy Bay proposes bigger LNG terminal for Maine

Venezuelan crude deliveries to Citgo could rise by 100,000 bpd

LUKoil buys petrol assets in US and Europe

Climate change threatens safety of Mackenzie Valley pipeline

Ottawa backs Gazprom deal

Chevron believes US cannot do without Middle East oil

Occidental and BP to evaluate CO2 sequestration options for California

Go to Company News North America

Contracts Awarded:

This service has been transferred to our Contracts & Tenders Newsletter

Discoveries:

Shell makes oil discovery offshore Malaysia

KNOC makes gas discovery in East Sea

Pebercan finds oil in North Cuba

New oil discovery for OMV in Libyan Murzuq Basin

Repsol and Hydro find new oil discovery in Libya

Total makes new oil discovery in Libya

Sonangol and Total make new discovery in Angola

CDS Energy finds oil and natural gas in Paraguay

Young Oil Corp. hits Kentucky gas well

PetroVietnam subsidiary strikes oil in Algeria

Peak Petroleum and Equator Exploration discover gas offshore Nigeria

New oil discovery in the Western Desert by Agiba Petroleum

RWE-DEA announces successful testing at Egypt exploration well

Shell Egypt announces two Western Desert discoveries

Premier Oil makes discovery in Indonesia

Unsubscribe: If you wish to unregister please go to our unregister page

Recommended sources of information:

Contracts & Tenders (published weekly)

Global Pipeline Monthly (GPM) (published monthly)

A&A Energy Security Briefing (published monthly)

Oil, Gas & Energy Law Intelligence (OGEL) (published quarterly)

Transnational Dispute Management (published quarterly)

Russian Involvement in Eastern Europe’s Petroleum Industry: The Case of Bulgaria

Kazakhstan: Energy Cooperation with Russia – Oil, Gas and Beyond

Turkmenistan-Russian Energy Relations

Belarus: Oil, Gas, Transit Pipelines and Russian Foreign Energy Policy

Georgia: Russian Foreign Energy Policy and Implications for Georgia's Energy Security

Gazprom and the Russian State

Russia’s Energy Interests in Azerbaijan

Baltic Independence and Russian Foreign Energy Policy

Ukraine: Post-revolution Energy Policy and Relations with Russia

Russia in 2006: Major Trends

Egypt 2005 Oil and Gas Report

More Reports ...

OGEL - Special Studies

The Libyan Petroleum Industry in the Twenty First Century: the Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Handbook

by W.A Otman & M.A.G Bunter

A full Table of contents and information on how to order can be found on our website.

Problems with Litigating Oil Pollutions Injuries in Nigerian Courts: Can Litigants Gain Access to Courts in England and the USA?

More...

IRAQ:

The Petroleum Exploration and Production Handbook

A 'must-have' publication for all those serious about doing future petroleum business in Iraq. More...

Contracts & Tenders

Our subscription based newsletter containing a wide range of Projects, Tenders, Bids, Discoveries and Contract Awards relevant for suppliers to the Oil & Gas industry. Published every week.

Free sample issues available

Partners & Affiliates

A&A Energy Security Briefing

Each month emerging energy security trends are identified and highlighted, helping companies naturally exposed in high-risk areas stay one step ahead of their risk environment.

» Visit website

Global Pipelines Monthly

Sourcing vital intelligence on major pipeline projects all over the world

GPM is aimed at bringing to subscribers the latest news of a growing number of major pipeline projects. Global Pipeline Monthly is intended to respond to the need for the hands-on coverage that both business and government organizations require. Free sample issue available!

Amazon

Order your books at amazon.com.

Free trade publications

Order your free copies today

Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections is a news-site for the gas,

oil and affiliated industry giving an overview of the trends

and happenings in and around the global energy-value chain.

If you wish to subscribe visit our Registration page.

If your e-mail address has changed or if you wish to unsubscribe go to unsubscribe.

Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections: New edition

Thursday, March 9, 2006