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Ukraine seeks EU help to remain gas transit corridor
BRUSSELS – Gazprom is spearheading the Nord Stream 2 project, which will double the amount of gas shipped directly to Germany from Russia, in...
Albania
Energy investors want Greek political, economic equilibrium
ATHENS – A politically stable environment and tax regime that will help Greece meet its debt obligations will allow foreign investment to flow into...
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Nord Stream 2: It’s the Ukraine gas transit, stupid
The leaders of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have reportedly signed a letter objecting to enlarging the Nord...
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Greece caught in EU’s pipeline spat with Russia
DELPHI, Greece – The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), which includes the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Interconnector-Greece-Bulgaria (IGB),...
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Discussion over Russian-German pipe turns political
The ongoing discussion about the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project is political, European Commission Vice President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič...
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Despite low oil prices, Russia makes fresh Arctic bid
Russia has reportedly submitted to the United Nations an updated bid for the extension of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. Russian Minister...
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Israel, Turkey see Cypriot-Greek energy gate to EU
STRASBOURG – The development of hydrocarbon reserves in eastern Mediterranean can boost “cooperation and peace” between the countries in the region and is important...
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Russia, Saudi coordinated production cuts unlikely
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on January 28 Saudi Arabia has proposed oil production cuts of up to 5% by each country. “This...
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Russia, Ukraine play gas wars over prices, fines
The long-standing gas conflict between Kiev and Moscow continued on January 22 with the head of Ukraine’s competition authority saying the regulator had decided...
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Davos Dreaming: Reform is the word for Greece coming from Washington
Although not in Davos for the latest round of Greece related fireworks, mostly involving German and Commission officials, this writer has been parsing the...
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Gazprom expands market share as prices fall
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom announced better than expected results, reporting a net loss of 2 billion rubles ($26 million) in the three months to...
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Greece, Bulgaria Gas Link To Lessen EU Dependence on Russia
Greece and Bulgaria signed on December 10 a long-delayed final investment agreement (FID) to build a 180-kilometre natural gas pipeline to help Sofia reduce...
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John Kerry Graces Greece with a Mini-visit. Check off that box.
The real news is that the Kerry Greece visit actually happened December 4th. That’s one more box to check off for last week’s European...
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With Washington’s Blessing: Greece Wants To Be Hub For East Med, Caspian Gas
ATHENS – The major gas discoveries in Israel, Cyprus and Egypt have completely changed regional geopolitics and energy supply in the Eastern Mediterranean, Energean...
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John Kerry finally visits Athens. What to Expect
After one postponement last month due to the Syria crisis, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry finally arrives for a short visit in Athens...
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Ex-BOTAŞ CEO: Keep Calm and Supply Turkey With Russian Gas
Gazprom will probably not cut gas supplies to Turkey despite the latter shooting down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 warplane on November 24, an ex...
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EU Fast-Tracks Tesla, Eastring Gas Lines
The European Commission on November 18 included the Tesla and Eastring gas pipelines in its updated Project of Common Interests (PCIs) list, which will...
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Gazprom, EU Mend Pipeline Talk Break
ATHENS –Gazprom and the European Commission appear to be closer to a compromise as the Russian gas monopoly tries to fend off accusations of...
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Slovakia Wants EU To Block Russia’s Nord Stream 2
BRATISLAVA – Slovakia is against Nord Stream 2 and is appealing to the European Commission and EU Member States to block Moscow’s plans to...
Albania
TANAP Key EU Conduit for Azeri Gas
BAKU – The Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) that will carry gas from Azerbaijan’s massive Shah Deniz 2 field is of strategic nature for Turkey...
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Fearing Russian Gas Cuts, Bulgaria Goes Underground
Bulgaria is expanding an underground gas storage site to guard against any gas supply cuts from Russian gas monopoly Gazprom. The expansion is expected...
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Iran’s Re-emergence Promising For EU Market, Caspian region
ATHENS – The deal Iran reached with world powers over its nuclear programme, which was approved by the Iranian parliament on October 13, is...
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Russia’s Syria Strikes, Slowing Production Boost Oil Prices
Rising geopolitical tensions and signs of slowing output, boosted oil prices last week testing new highs.International oil benchmark Brent crude has rallied by as...
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Tsipras, the UN and the “American factor”
We have made it a point to emphasize that PM Tsipras September 26-October 1 New York visit focused far less on the business of...
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G20 Ministers Stream Competing EU Pipeline Projects, Fret Over Oil
G20 energy ministers met in Istanbul on October 2, striving for sustainable development amidst low oil prices and climate change negotiations. European Commissioner for...
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Greek PM Tsipras does New York. This was a UN visit, right?
Greek PM Tsipras arrived in New York late September 26th, intending to stay until October 2. His main UN General Assembly (UNGA) address is...
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Syrian Oil Catalyst to Team US-Russia vs. ISIS
SOCHI – Only if the United States and Russia put their differences aside and work together they can put a curb on ISIS actions...
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Now that the election is over, Tsipras plans an UNGA visit. New York will again be the place to be…
Admittedly a very busy man these days, Greek PM Tsipras is planning to join the world’s UNGA-70 (70th anniversary of the UN General Assembly)...
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Russia’s Nord Stream-2 Pipeline Divides Europe
Building Nord Stream-2, which envisages the construction of two pipelines directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing transit countries including Ukraine and Poland, has divided...
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Greens MEP Leader Says EU Should Reject Russian Nord Stream-2 Pipeline
STRASBOURG – The European Union does not need the Russian-backed Nord Stream-2 pipeline, Rebecca Harms, chairperson of the Greens in the European Parliament (EP),...
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Falling Oil Prices Force Russia to Shelve Rosneft Projects
Growing pressure on Russian government resources as oil prices slide to six-year lows has prompted Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev to announce that the government...
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Gazprom has gas to burn, but nowhere to turn
Facing tensions in Europe and increased competition in Russia, the country’s gas monopoly Gazprom is struggling to maintain its dominance on the global energy...
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Gazprom Wants EU Anti-Trust Probe Settled
Gazprom is seeking an amicable settlement of the EU antitrust probe against the Russian gas monopoly, Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev said on July 23,...
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Will the IMF finally slide out of the Greece bailout program….and might they take Jack Lew too?
On Tuesday July 14, a day before the Greek Parliament was set to vote through the first and critical implementing law from the Brussels...
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Russia, Austria, Germany, Plan Ukraine Gas Pipe Bypass
Gazprom and Austria’s OMV discussed on July 8 in Berlin further actions within the Russian gas monopoly’s Nord Stream II gas pipeline project, particularly...
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Allied Solidarity — With few allies left in the European Union, Tsipras phones Obama after briefing Putin
Greek PM Tsipras called US President Obama today to explain Greece’s latest proposals to its European Union allies, and presumably ask for help closing...
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Finns Say Russian-Supplied Nuke Reactor Adds Energy Independence
BRUSSELS – Finland’s plan to build a nuclear reactor supplied by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom will lessen the Nordic country’s dependence on imported energy supplies, Fennovoima’s Project Director...
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Greece’s Shock on the Institutions’ never-ending proposal: Do Greeks really want this choice?
First, any of us who come from countries that prefer some kind of controlled political process have to be impressed by the intensity of...
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Greece-Bulgaria pipe to break Gazprom monopoly
BRATISLAVA – Implementing an agreement to construct a gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece, which is likely to be signed in early July, is important for the energy...
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Gazprom chief says EU, Russia will have to talk Turkish Stream
MOSCOW - The European Union and Russia will have to discuss the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, as well as additional volumes of gas deliveries,...
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Low on coal, high in carbon, Czech Republic sees nuclear answer
MOSCOW – Nuclear energy is important for the Czech Republic’s energy security and reducing CO2 emissions, Deputy Industry Minister Pavel Solc told New Europe....
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Putin pours money into Venezuela oil production
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said Caracas and Russia’s sanction-hit Rosneft have agreed on around $14 billion in investment in the South American country’s oil...
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UK energy firm suspends Ukraine license to drill
UK-based energy firm JKX Energy, which is leading shale exploration and production in Ukraine, said it was granted more areas for work in the...
Albania
And The Azeri Gas Goes To… The Envelope, Please!
ANAVYSSOS, Greece – After intense preparation, Nabucco West and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) are waiting for Azerbaijan to announce its decision about the pipeline...
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Turkey Wants Kurds’ Energy Hand
Turkey is turning to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to meet its growing demand for energy. Co-operation with Erbil may help Ankara diversify its oil and...
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EU Commission, Gazprom Square Off
There is little love lost between Russia and the EU these days. Tension has already been heightened by disagreements over Syria, with Moscow warning...
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Gazprom, SOCAR for Greece’s DEPA, DESFA
ATHENS - Following Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ visit to Baku on 19 May and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller’s visit to Athens on 21...
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Climate Talks Will Always Have Paris
PARIS – On 16 May, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he is “counting on help from the regions” as Paris undertakes the responsibility...
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Greece irons out ‘technical details’ of DEPA sale
The privatisation tender for Greek Public Gas Corporation DEPA and gas network operator DESFA has been postponed “for technical reasons” and will be held...
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Gazprom snubs EU-Ukraine gas talks
On 3 May, EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger and Ukraine’s Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytsky led a two-day international high-level roundtable to...
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