Content

EnergySource

May 6, 2020

Safeguarding the Red Sea amid the coronavirus: Preventing the spill of the FSO SAFER

By Dr. David Soud, Dr. Ian Ralby, and Rohini Ralby

The global COVID-19 pandemic has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and caused unprecedented harm to the global economy. At the same time, the pandemic has diverted global attention away from other matters of concern, notably the Floating Storage and Offloading Vessel (FSO) SAFER, a converted oil tanker moored four miles off the coast of Ras Isa, Yemen, in the Red Sea continuing to degrade after years of neglect. If no action is taken, the SAFER will spill as much as 1.14 million barrels of Marib Light crude into the water. Much of the world’s activity may be on hold, but the ongoing corrosion on the SAFER is not taking a break to wait out the pandemic.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Apr 20, 2020

Containing Russian influence in Venezuela

By David L. Goldwyn and Andrea Clabough

The Russian government has been instrumental in preserving the Maduro regime, despite years of intense domestic and international pressure favoring a democratic transition, providing the regime invaluable diplomatic leverage, security personnel, and material, as well as an economic lifeline. The US strategy for a democratic Venezuela must recognize these realities and focus on containing Russian influence in Venezuela, as it cannot end it.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EnergySource

Apr 9, 2020

Hurdles to OPEC++

By Phillip Cornell

This week in oil markets has an air of suspended animation. Will an international production deal materialize? The answer is “perhaps,” but probably not in the volumes necessary to balance the market and only after Moscow extracts concessions.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2020

Oil market meltdown?

By John Soughan

Over the weekend of March 7–8, the breakdown of the previous oil production agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia led to the broader collapse of the arrangement between OPEC and OPEC+. What will the rift will mean for the global oil market?

Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Feb 26, 2020

The trade war we want China to win: China’s nuclear exports can challenge Russian dominance

By David Yellen

Russia and China are competing for nuclear industry market share, not working together to dominate, and China’s rise gives Russia a real competitor in nuclear energy—that is good for the United States.

China Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Feb 25, 2020

Global challenges require global solutions

By Ryan Edwards

What will it take to drive more sustainable investing to keep our planet temperature below a 1.5 degree Celsius increase?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Feb 24, 2020

Despite election, UK fracking faces an uphill battle

By Christian Le Miere

In their pre-election manifesto, the UK Conservatives stated that their stance will be to “not support fracking unless the science shows categorically it can be done safely,” something of a U-turn for the party. Why adopt such a significant policy change now?

Oil and Gas United Kingdom

EnergySource

Feb 19, 2020

TurkStream is South Stream 2.0—has the EU done its homework this time?

By Martin Jirušek

Flying largely under the radar, progress on the TurkStream pipeline has been met with little attention. This is quite unjust, as the project is a key piece of Gazprom’s future supply strategy.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Feb 10, 2020

A new security challenge: The geopolitical implications of climate change

By Friedbert Pflüger

Discussions on energy and geopolitics over the last ten years have often focused on the need for energy security. Now, another challenge—climate security—is emerging and it must be urgently addressed.

Climate Change & Climate Action Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Feb 10, 2020

The climate and equity dilemma: Bending the coal curve in South and Southeast Asia

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

South and Southeast Asia are leading the world in terms of developing countries’ energy growth—how can need be met while avoiding new coal investments?

Bangladesh Energy Transitions