Natural resources and energy
Tensions rise as OPEC countries look to increase production
OPEC’s internal tensions rise as producers like Iran, Iraq and Libya, after years of production below capacity, look to increase output. Still, those increases will not come online for some
Argentina’s nationalized oil company may plague finances
A new deal between the Argentina and Repsol, a Spanish multinational oil and gas company, will mark a new era for Argentinian state finances. It also introduces an important question: will Repsol’s
India moves on long-term plans for Arctic investment
This year, India experienced economic turmoil that highlighted several obstacles to long-term growth. The rupee crash and slowed economic growth have led some to question whether the world’s largest democracy can
Laos’ Mekong dam construction threatens food security
With a reported 60 million people dependent on the Mekong River’s ecological environment, the Lao government’s decision to build a new dam in the Don Sahong area is ringing alarm bells throughout
Turkey tightens Kurdistan ties to Baghdad’s chagrin
Kurdistan, the oil-rich semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq, will begin selling oil to Turkey despite vocal objections by the Iraqi government over the contracts’ legitimacy. Turkish-Iraqi relations have suffered as
Cutting green taxes won’t fix the UK’s energy cost problems
Some of the UK’s green taxes are likely to be cut soon, but renewable energy may be the surprising beneficiary of the move. After two months of formulating a response
Despite reform, Brazil and Mexico lack energy investments
Latin America is endowed with significant oil and natural gas reserves, which until recently offered little opportunity for private investment. However, new reforms and the expansion of the renewable energy
Qatar state development model holds potentail and risk
Qatar is one of the world’s smallest states, but it also has one of the largest gas reserves. Small and wealthy, Qatar’s policies have echoed elsewhere. Is it a guide
Russia plans to win the Arctic race
Russia’s behavior in the Arctic reveals a strong prioritization of national economy and energy security at the expense of environmental sustainability. This behavior has an important effect on the region, to
The shale gas revolution is about to hit China
Shale gas extraction shows promising signs in China. The current 5-year plan aims to produce 60-100 billion cubic meters by 2020, so look for a more cohesive Chinese approach to
