1 Июня 2025
Caspian Security Briefing: Azerbaijan
The former-Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan has attracted a notable degree of attention amongst the international investor community due to the impressive potential of its hydrocarbons sector. The country’s vast (and still largely untapped) oil and gas fields, located in the strategically important Caspian Sea basin, provide the source for major energy transport arteries such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. Future energy transport projects of strategic relevance to the European Union...
New European Commission Members
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Following approval by the European Parliament, the European Council today appointed the new European Commission for the period from 10 February 2010 to 31 October 2014. The Council also appointed Mr.Günther Oettinger to replace Mr.Andris Piebalgs as the Energy Commissioner. Please, see the full list of the new Commission Members.
Russian Oil & Gas Strategy: What does it mean for the global oil markets?
 (2 Mb) Presentation on "17th MIDDLE EAST PETROLEUM&GAS CONFERENCE"
Briefing: Ukraine Gas Transit
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In this edition specific focus has been given to issues relating to European Energy Security. Inside you will find an article from Marat Terterov on whether another gas crises is looming in Europe this Winter and an exclusive interview with Yuri Fedorov dealing with the problems Europe currently faces with regards energy security, it's relations with Russia and the Central Asia region.
Turkey and Russia: stronger partners in regional energy security, business
How can an eight-hour prime ministerial visit possibly transform the basic tenets of the relationship between Turkey and Russia?
This is what happened during the short visit to Ankara on Aug. 6, 2009, by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
TURKMENISTAN: GAS UNDER PRESSURE
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In October 2008, an audit by the British company Gaffney, Cline and Associates - GCA propelled Turkmenistan to the rank of the world’s second largest gas producer. This revelation confirmed the assertions of Saparmurad Niazov, the grotesque Turkmenbashy – Father of all the Turkmens – who, from 1985 until his death in December 2006, reigned over his country without sharing power. Less than a year later, two publications which appeared this past September, sow confusion among international energy experts and raise many questions. These two papers, one – an article written by Arkady Dubnov for the Russian newspaper Vremya Novosteï and the other – a report by the German NGO, the Eurasian Transition Group (ETG), - cast doubt on the estimations made public in October 2008.
Arkady Dubnov relies on information gleaned from Russian officials, while it is a Turkmen source behind the ETG pieced. In summation, they lead us to understand that the Turkmen authorities misled the managers of GCA by providing them with manipulated and falsified data. Disinformation or truth? At present, it is difficult to say. Nonetheless, one cannot really avoid wondering about a certain number of questions surrounding this polemic over resources, real or supposed, of Turkmenistan. This constitutes a new episode in the struggle in which the great powers are engaging for control and exploitation of the formidable energy resources of Central Asia.
Eastern Caspian Sea Energy Geopolitics: A Litmus Test for the U.S. – Russia – China Struggle for the Geostrategic Control of Eurasia
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European energy and transport - Trends to 2030: update 2007
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The Baseline scenario finalised in November 2007 gives an update of the previous trend scenarios, such as the “Trends to 2030” published in 2003 and its 2005 update. The new Baseline scenario takes into account the high energy import price environment of recent years, sustained economic growth and new policies and measures implemented in the Member-States.
The Great Pipeline Opera: Inside the European pipeline fantasy that became a real-life gas war with Russia.
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When Joschka Fischer's lucrative new job as the "political communications advisor" to a consortium of European energy companies was leaked to a German business publication this summer, there was one comment that stood out. "Welcome to the club," said Gerhard Schröder, an even more highly paid advocate for the other side in Europe's increasingly politicized energy war...
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE “FOURTH CORRIDOR”: THE POSITIONS AND ROLE OF TURKEY IN GAS TRANSIT TO EUROPE
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The subject of Caspian and Middle East gas pipelines to Europe has become increasingly important and emotive in the late 2000s with many projects and aspirations being advanced to create a “4th corridor” aimed at significant reducing dependence on (primarily) Russian gas. The role of Turkey will be critical for all of these projects. While the details of pipeline projects are well known, the role and aspirations of Turkey as an energy transit country have received less attention. Some have portrayed Turkey as a country critical to European energy security and a potential hub for Caspian and Middle East (oil and) gas supplies. But some Turkish statements and commercial positions in relation to pipeline projects have raised questions about the conditions which the country may intend to attach to this role, some of which could be seen as obstacles to natural gas transit. Because of the partisan nature of much of the current debate, it was important to find an author capable of making an expert, but unbiased, assessment of the Turkish position.
Gareth Winrow has long experience in Turkey and was the ideal choice to interview Turkish stakeholders in relation to the many different aspects of the country’s energy situation and the fourth corridor. I am very grateful to Gareth for taking on this project and believe that his paper adds significantly to understanding the complexity of the problems related to these issues. Jonathan Stern
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