Content
Fri, Dec 6, 2019
The Neue Ostpolitik approach to Nord Stream 2: A legal fiction carried a little too far
Some Nord Stream 2 proponents invoke the Ostpolitik of the late Cold War, which involved West German cooperation with Moscow on Russian energy exports to Western Europe. But this time around, Europe does not need additional Russian gas volumes and its position is in opposition to the views of most of Eastern Europe. From this perspective, Nord Stream 2 is flawed Ostpolitik.
EnergySource by Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt
Thu, Dec 5, 2019
What does a sunset coal industry tell oil producers about peak demand?
When it eventually peaks, a look at coal gives a glimpse of what could happen in other sectors. Peak demand does not mean consumption will fall off a cliff—coal demand has so far plateaued at or near records, with pockets of growth still around. What could this mean for oil?
EnergySource by Henning Gloystein
Wed, Nov 27, 2019
Is Rosneft undermining “maximum pressure” on Venezuela and Iran as Trump looks away?
US President Donald Trump is conducting policies of “maximum pressure” on two countries, Venezuela and Iran. In Venezuela, Russia’s state-owned oil company, Rosneft, actively undercuts this US policy by helping them circumvent Washington’s tough economic sanctions. Why doesn't Washington apply broad sanctions against the giant Russian company?
EnergySource by Matthew Bryza
Thu, Nov 21, 2019
Finding a path forward for oil and gas companies in the energy transition
2019 appears to be ending bleakly for the old guard of the energy sector—recent third quarter (Q3) reporting paints a gloomy picture: across the industry, profits have plummeted despite rising oil production. Observers have blamed those results on several potentially transitory headwinds, but are they actually what's driving the concerning outlook?
EnergySource by Reed Blakemore and David Yellen
Mon, Nov 18, 2019
Nord Stream 2 poses challenges but also means opportunity for the European Union
With the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) pipeline’s completion date on the horizon, it is becoming apparent that the European Union (EU) is struggling to agree on how the project should be handled. What are the challenges and opportunities the situation present?
EnergySource by Martin Jirušek
Thu, Nov 14, 2019
Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank is a national security imperative
The US House of Representatives is voting this week on a long-term reauthorization of the US Export-Import Bank. While a fully functional Ex-Im Bank is important for the competitiveness of many US exporters, it is essential for certain industries of strategic importance, including nuclear energy and space, and US security interests associated with these exports are also linked to the ability of Ex-Im Bank to support them.
EnergySource by Amb. Thomas Graham, Jr. and Admiral Richard W. Mies
Thu, Nov 14, 2019
Trans Adriatic Pipeline expansion
At least some of the energy security value of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) could be in question. While important details remain inaccessible to the public, if Gazprom, a Russian company, is able to book capacity in the expansion of the final leg of the SGC, known as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Gazprom would be able to use a project of strategic importance to European energy security to enhance its own position within European energy markets.
EnergySource by Daniel D. Stein
Wed, Nov 13, 2019
The Saudi Aramco IPO: A valuation saga
The Saudi stock exchange in Riyadh has approved the trading of Saudi Aramco’s shares on the local stock market, signaling a rapid start to the initial public offering (IPO). The various investment banks looking to place and sell the shares to their clients have given widely different, but generally low, value to the company and the shares.
EnergySource by Jean-François Seznec
Tue, Nov 5, 2019
Two frameworks for understanding the Aramco IPO
The recent announcement that the partial initial public offering (IPO) of Saudi Aramco is finally moving forward is either a cause for celebration or consternation, depending on your perspective. The divergence in views comes from the way in which market players and analysts understand the IPO and the role of Aramco in the Saudi economy.
EnergySource by Randolph Bell
Thu, Oct 31, 2019
Amb. Richard L. Morningstar’s address to the 2019 Gas Asia Summit
If the story of the last decade in natural gas has been a production boom, the story of the next decade will be how that production can support Asia’s demand boom. The opportunities are immense—the challenges are as well.
EnergySource by Richard L. Morningstar