oil

Boko Haram and the Case For Amnesty

The following was originally published in Foreign Policy Journal, penned by former Governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu on the notion of amnesty for Boko Haram: French poet Victor Hugo once stated that “amnesty is as good for those who give it as for those who receive it. It has the admirable quality of [...]

Russia Abroad: Rosneft Nears African Pipeline Deal

The Moscow Times and Steel Guru have reported that Rosneft is looking to build a $700 million oil-products pipeline from Mozambique to Zimbabwe in an unprecedented effort to expand its international reach in to Africa. The new route seeks to compete with shipments to Zimbabwe by road from neighboring South Africa that supplement supplies through [...]

Argentina Bruised by YPF Expropriation

There’s no question about it – Argentina “lost” when they announced the renationalization of oil company YRG, seizing the 51% stake from the Spanish energy giant Repsol.  In the weeks since, they have been taking a beating in the global media.  If it was President Kirchener’s plan to take the oil company all along, the [...]

Shell Faces New Risks in Nigeria

After a number of accidents, attacks by militants, and political scandals, is Shell’s honeymoon with Nigeria coming to an end? Some recent events and transactions indicate a shift in the Dutch company’s strategy in the country, opening a window of opportunity for new operators.

China Pinched by Declining Oil Production in Angola

According to a recent piece published in the Financial Times, oil production in Angola has struggled to keep up pace, dropping to 1.65 million barrels per day, down from 1.85m b/d in 2010.  Although the African nation makes up only 2% of global oil production, back in 2008 Angola became the largest supplier of crude [...]

China’s Cautious Friendship with Russia

There’s no shortage of mutual historic distrust between the Russian and Chinese governments. Is that changing?

The New Frontiers of Corporate Foreign Policy

Foreign policy used to be a craft practised by diplomats and statesmen. No longer.

Nigerian Oil Exploration at 10-Year Low Before Law

Despite a drop-off of instability in the Delta today, oil exploration in Nigeria has slumped to the lowest in a decade after producers including Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Total SA backed away from investment until the country’s petroleum law is finally passed. Just one exploration well was drilled in Nigeria over the past two [...]

Back to the Future for Brazil in Chinese Investment Boom

This year, China overtook the United States to become Brazil’s largest investor. In the first six months of 2010, FDI flows reached an estimated $10 billion, up from literally $83 million in the same period last year. The surge to many is hardly surprising given that China became Brazil’s largest trade partner in 2008. But [...]

The Chavezjad Doctrine: Between Myth and Speculation

The Inter-American Dialogue has recently published the works of Michael Shifter, here specifically on the dangerous alliance between Iran and Venezuela, the mastermind behind the union, Hugo Chavez, a skilled provocateur indeed and its geopolitical ramifications hindering infrastructure, human rights and international development in every regard. The following is excerpted from his article, “The Chavezjad Doctrine: [...]