Blog Posts - CounterStrikeMedia

EGYPT NOW REGIONAL ENERGY HUB FOR AFRICA & GERMAN-RUSSIAN GAS/OIL HOOK UP

12/27/2019

Egypt moves into position as regional energy hub
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has announced Egypt is ready to export electricity to Africa at low prices.

Germany Puts Its Head in Russia's Energy Pipeline Noose by Soeren Kern •

New oil, gas field in Egypt promises more discoveries
Egypt’s successive governments have largely ignored drilling of oil and gas in the Western Desert given the high cost of such an operation, although the area is rich.

TURKEY'S EMERGING ENERGY CRISIS & CONSEQUENT BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

12/21/2019

Turkey’s energy miscalculations have hefty cost
More than a third of Turkey’s installed power capacity remains idle after an ill-calculated rush for energy that has had a hefty financial and environmental cost.

Issues 2020: A Fracking Ban Would Trigger Global Recession
Mark Mills, Manhattan Institute

The extraction of oil and gas through the techniques of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (colloquially, “fracking”) has catapulted the United States into leadership of the world’s energy markets. Since 2007, fracking has doubled U.S. oil production and increased gas production by 60%. Instead of a major importer, America is rapidly becoming the largest exporter of oil and is expected to supply the majority of net new energy traded on global markets over the next two decades. Read more here.... (Photo: sasacvetkovic33/iStock)

Oil trail reveals Turkey funding Syrian Kurdish rivals
Through oil, Turkey is helping to indirectly subsidize the very same Syrian Kurdish administration that it's seeking to crush.

Rival government rallies support against Libya's maritime border deal with Turkey
The chairman of Libya's eastern-based parliament, Aguila Saleh, is on a regional tour to rally support against an agreement on maritime boundaries between the rival UN-backed government in Tripoli and Turkey. Saleh met with Arab Parliament President Mishaal bin Fahm al-Salami in Cairo to press his case, Arab media reported today. “The signing of this agreement without ratification by the Libyan House of Representatives aims to cede the sovereignty of the Libyan State and its legitimate rights to the Republic of Turkey to enable it to invest in this area, which is null and void by all standards,” Saleh said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey and Libya can now carry out joint exploration operations in the eastern Mediterranean. Ankara supports the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, which has been assault by the House of Representatives-aligned Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter since April.
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ISRAEL EXPORTS NATURAL GAS TO EGYPT

12/14/2019

Israel to begin exporting gas to Egypt next month
In just a few weeks, Egypt should be receiving natural

BEIJING & RIYADH GROW CLOSER WITH ARAMCO: OIL; AND RUSSIA'S SIBERIAN OIL BEGINS

12/8/2019

THE SAUDI ARAMCO BIG PICTURE

ASIA TIMES

SIBERIAN OIL

SAUDI'S OVERPRICED IPO ARAMCO

PUTIN VISITS TURKEY OVER NATURAL GAS CORRIDOR WHILE US PETROL-STATE ARRIVES

12/3/2019

Turkey's Open Secret: Fake Secularism by Burak Bekdil •

Putin to visit Turkey for natural gas pipeline launch
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Turkey on Jan. 8 to participate in the launch of a natural gas pipeline from Russia, the Kremlin announced Monday. TurkStream's first line will supply gas to the Turkish market, while a second line will pass through the country to Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia to supply gas to some 15 million homes in southern and southeastern Europe.
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dailysabah.com

ASIA TIMES: TURKISH OIL RELATIONS WITH LIBYA

MADURO PLUNDERS CITGO, INFOGRAPHICS ON US SURGE IN OIL/GAS & FLAT DEMAND FOR PERSIAN GULF OIL

11/4/2019

ASIA TIMES

More US energy milestones: 12 new production records were set in August for natural gas and oil
Mark J. Perry | AEIdeas

PUTIN GAMBLES ON SYRIAN OIL TO SOLIDIFY HIS HOLD

11/1/2019

ASIA TIMES

Russia’s 'multilayered pie’ policy on Libya
For all the uncertainty surrounding Russia's presence in Libya, there are some policy drivers to be watched.

THE MIDDLE EAST WITH NUKES, WHY THE ETHANOL GAME IS LONG OVER & HOW THE SAUDI'S CHANGE THEIR OPEC TUNE

10/18/2019

The ultimate Middle East missile target: Nuclear reactors

Saudi Arabia: Riyadh to Cooperate with United States on Global Energy Security. Saudi Arabia’s energy minister met with U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Monday and discussed oil markets, the role of OPEC, and stability in the global energy supply. The Saudi energy minister also met with his Nigerian counterpart, stressing Saudi Arabia’s role in energy security on the world stage. Reuters U.S. News and World Report

WHY NUCLEAR POWER STILL RULES; ISLAM, CHRISTENDOM IN THE CAUCASUS PIPELINES

10/1/2019

James Ellis On The Energy Density Advantage Of Nuclear Power
by Admiral James O. Ellis Jr. via PolicyEd
Nuclear power has an energy density advantage over every other method of generating electricity.

Zvi Bar’el writes: For Iran, Iraq’s economic dependence is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gives the Islamic Republic great influence over Iraqi politics. But on the other, this makes Iraqis view it as the source of their problems and not just economic ones. […]Iraq’s decision to abide by American sanctions on Iran even though it opposes them shows how detached Westerners are from reality when they view all Shi’ite groups as agents of Iran.- Haaretz

MEET THE FRACKERS & HOW NORD STREAM II PROVIDES EUROPE STRATEGIC AUTONOMY

9/18/2019

Nord Stream II and Europe's strategic autonomy
The European Union's gas relationship with Russia remains controversial within Europe, with opponents portraying the Nord Stream II project as aggression against Ukraine, a danger to Central and Eastern Europe and a reflection of Germany's dependence on Russian gas.

New leadership and new challenges for Saudi Arabia's oil industry
Rauf Mammadov

https://www.amazon.com/Frackers-Outrageous-Inside-Billionaire-Wildcatters/dp/B00GDJKH2I/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

IRAN STRIKES THE HOUSE OF SAUD

9/18/2019

Why U.S. Patriot Missiles Failed to Protect Saudi Oil Sites
By Sébastien Roblin, NBC News: "The U.S. is having trouble defending against low-flying drones and cruise missiles after years of the Pentagon focusing on longer-range threats."

Attacks on Saudi oil plants reveal weaknesses in US-made defenses
(Military.com) Ground-hugging swarms of drones and cruise missiles that decimated Saudi oil production facilities this month did billions’ worth of damage and defeated U.S.-made air-defense systems, including Raytheon's Patriots. The attacks raise concerns, analysts say, about the efficacy of such defense systems against the threat.

Saudi oil facility attack challenges Washington’s credibility
Karen E. Young | Al-Monitor
While the recent attacks on two Saudi oil facilities will affect global oil prices, it is the US commitment in the region that is under attack.

Iran's Strategy Behind the Saudi Attack
By Raymond V. Mason, RealClearDefense: “A possible Iranian link to the attack on a Saudi oil installation this past weekend is the latest example of Iran’s continued ability to threaten American interests in the Middle East despite robust U.S. sanctions. While the administration is applying maximum economic pressure, sanctions alone will not force Iran to the table and are insufficient to address resulting Iranian retaliation."

The Saudi oil attacks won’t devastate the global economy — here’s what could

The Gulf Crisis Should Remind Us of the Importance of Fracking
Charles Lane, Washington Post

The Oil Price Increase and the Dollar
Desmond Lachman, AEI

Iran’s strike on Saudi Arabia brings Persian Gulf war closer
Michael Rubin | Washington Examiner

The Iraq War surge
Stephen J. Hadley and Hal Brands | AEI video

Out of the Loop: What the Saudi Attacks Tell Us About the Future of Conflict
By Eliot Pence, RealClearDefense: "The Abqaiq attacks this month raised many questions. Who did it? How did they do it? What did they do it with? One question was notably absent: Why couldn't Saudi Arabia stop it? The answer is not straightforward, nor is it necessarily clear that anything could have stopped it."

THE SAUDI'S & ARAMCO. . . . AGAIN & FOREIGN EQUITY SOARS INTO RIYADH

8/22/2019

THE MEANING OF A LOW IPO VALUATION

Saudi Aramco raises $25.6 billion in largest-ever IPO
Saudi Arabia's state oil company Aramco broke market records with the launch of its initial stock offering on Thursday. Shares were priced at the high end of the target range and raised a record $25.6 billion. The market debut puts Aramco's value at $1.7 trillion, far ahead of other corporate giants. Aramco is expected to begin trading on Riyadh's Tadawul exchange on Dec. 12 at 32 riyals ($8.53).
Read More
al-monitor.com

The long and winding Saudi Aramco initial public offering road
Benjamin Zycher | AEI

Saudi Arabia to delay Aramco public offering
reuters.com

Huge Aramco IPO hounded by big ifs
Institutional investors have questions over the company's transparency and governance
BYPIERRE DONADIEU

Saudi oil company Aramco says it’s ready for two-stage public offering
al-monitor.com

ASIA TIMES: FOREIGN EQUITY SOARS INTO SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia selling the Aramco initial public offering, yet again
Karen E. Young | Al-Monitor

ASIA TIMES: WHY LISTING ARAMCO IS WRONG

Algeria considers allowing foreign ownership in certain sectors
reuters.com

Saudi Arabia scolds fellow OPEC members for exceeding oil output cuts
al-monitor.com

US OIL CHARTS: THE US HEGEMONY ON OIL

8/21/2019

Animated chart of the day: Oil production in America’s big 3 oil fields (Bakken, Eagle Ford, and Permian Basin)
Mark J. Perry | AEIdeas

THE UAE'S PETROL DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY

8/10/2019

UAE diversification strategy lags despite growth in oil sector

Karen E. Young | Al-Monitor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a leader in economic diversification across the Gulf Cooperation Council, but even the UAE is struggling to grow.

THE EPA'S ETHANOL BINGE & HOW RUSSIA SEEKS TO SHAPE THE MIDDLE EAST

7/13/2019

COLIN A. CARTER, HENRY I. MILLER
Giving In to Big Corn
Consumers will suffer the hangover from the EPA’s ethanol binge.

How Russian business could shape Mideast's future security architecture
Russia has been engaged in the Levantine oil and gas sectors for some time, but now Moscow could use that foothold to help build lasting security in the region.

IRAN RESPONDS BY SHOOTING DOWN A US GLOBAL HAWK IN THE PERSIAN GULF

7/6/2019

PIPELINE POLITICS: NORD STREAM PUSHES FORTH FOR RUSSIA, HARD CURRENCY AND POLITICAL DISRUPTION

6/30/2019

нефть: The Impact of Russian Energy on Europe
By Jeremiah Goodpaster, Small Wars Journal: “The use of energy plays a significant role in Russia’s political subversion, coercive deterrence, and negotiated manipulation aspects during Hybrid Warfare operations in Europe. The use of energy to allows Russia to stay below the threshold of violence and the possible activation of Article 5 Collective Security of the NATO charter."

US MAKES SAUDI ARABIA A NUCLEAR POWER

6/28/2019

ISRAEL OPENS UP ABOUT IS OIL RESERVES, 2 CHARTS ON US OIL REVEAL PETROL REVOLUTION CONTINUES & EASTERN MED STARTS DRILLING

6/15/2019

Eastern Mediterranean heats up as gas rivalry stakes grow higher
Turkey’s launch of a second ship to drill in disputed areas off Cyprus is the harbinger of further escalation in the eastern Mediterranean and tough choices for Ankara.

Simon Henderson writes: Israel is also looking for companies that can explore its waters for more gas. Although a deadline for bids on nineteen offshore blocks has been pushed back to mid-August, perhaps reflecting a lack of investor interest, Israeli officials are reportedly still hopeful that ExxonMobil will bite. For now, the U.S. company has shown more interest in Cypriot blocks, as have European companies like Total of France and Eni of Italy. The latter two companies are also interested in exploring Lebanon’s waters, despite the country’s dysfunctional government, broken electricity supply network, and intrusive Iranian influence – Washington Institute

Chart of the day: World’s top 10 oil-producing countries, 1965–2018
Mark J. Perry | AEIdeas

Animated chart of the day: US energy consumption by fuel source, 1949–2050
Mark J. Perry | AEIdeas

Eastern Mediterranean crisis balloons as Turkish drill ships multiply
Disputes over oil and gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean have caused a spike in tensions between Ankara and Turkish Cypriots on the one side, and the EU and Greek Cypriots on the other.

RUSSIA & OPEC ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS

6/9/2019

OPEC and Russia Are No Longer Friends
Julian Lee, Bloomberg

THE CURSE OF LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS FOR SAUDI ARABIA & TURKMENISTAN

5/31/2019

Saudi Arabia’s new ‘freedom’ gas
Karen E. Young | Al-Monitor
According to the Department of Energy, US policy will support the export of American energy products such as liquefied natural gas as “molecules of US freedom” to the rest of the world. But energy markets are a little more complicated and less nationalistic.

Turkmenistan https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.urdupoint.com/en/amp/business/turkmenistan-hosts-x-international-gas-congre-631340.html
Nord Stream
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/us-sanctions-may-be-too-late-to-stop-nord-stream-2-construction/ Contamination
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1ST1TX

GAS APPROACHES $3 GALLON IN US: ALL EYES ON PERSIAN GULF

5/25/2019

Karen Young in an Al-Monitor op-ed. America’s energy independence attracts competitors, such as Saudi Aramco, as foreign direct investors. And it is unlikely that the American “freedom gas” exported by Aramco will find its way to Saudi Arabia. Find out why here.

Protectionism, the dollar, and US energy ‘dominance’
Benjamin Zycher | The Hill

TAKING IRAN TO ZERO

5/21/2019

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE US ENERGY REVOLUTION

5/8/2019

The shale revolution isn't just about cheap energy; it's changing geopolitics
Mark J. Perry | Washington Examiner

Want an Energy Revolution? It Won't Come from Renewables
Mark Mills, City Journal

Throughout history, some 60 percent to 90 percent of every nation’s economy has been consumed by food and fuel costs. Hydrocarbons changed the way that humans organize their productive capacity. The coal age, followed by the oil age, and now by the ascendant age of natural gas, has (at least for developed nations) driven the share of GDP devoted to acquiring food and fuel down to around 10 percent. That transformation constitutes one of the great pivots for civilization.
Read more here....

US PULLS BACK ON IRANIAN SANCTIONS REGIME YET SENDS CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TO PERSIAN GULF

5/8/2019

IRAN WANTS TO DISRUPT US SANCTIONS REGIME

U.S. renews some nuclear waivers for Iran, breaking from hard line

Iran Faces Difficult Choice After U.S. Narrows Nuclear Sanctions Waivers

U.S. Deploys Carrier Strike Group to Counter Iran

Reports: Iran to adopt countermeasures as US revokes sanctions waivers
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will reportedly announce countermeasures to the US exit from the JCPOA and its reimposition of sanctions.

Iranian Oil Exports Fall in April – But More Work to be Done

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, cut June pricing for all crude grades to the U.S. and raised most pricing to other regions. The kingdom’s pricing appears to be aimed at easing concerns over supplies to the U.S. after the Trump Administration ended waivers for buyers of Iranian oil, while still benefiting from rising demand for its crude in Asia and Europe. – Bloomberg

Iran Gives Europe Sixty Days to Meet Nuclear Demands
by Seth Frantzman
The Jerusalem Post
May 9, 2019
https://www.meforum.org/58442/iran-gives-europe-60-days-to-meet-demands

New Sanctions Hit Iran’s Multi-Billion Dollar Metal Industries
Saeed Ghasseminejad | Senior Iran and Financial Economics AdvisorMatthew Zweig | Senior Fellow

Energy Sector Waivers Would Undermine the Maximum Pressure Campaign against Iran
Matthew Zweig | Senior Fellow