Politics & Regulation

Satellite image of Gaza taken on April 11, 2019 (copyright by Shutterstock/Intrepix)
Satellite image of Gaza taken on April 11, 2019 (copyright by Shutterstock/Intrepix)

Qatari Diplomatic Breakthrough In Underwriting Gas Pipeline From Israel Into Gaza

A motley coalition of nationalities and supranational organizations have reconciled differences to help construct a natural gas pipeline running from Israel into the Gaza Strip.

Flags of Germany and the USA (copyright by Shutterstock/Andy.LIU)
Flags of Germany and the USA (copyright by Shutterstock/Andy.LIU)

Washington Revisits Nord Stream 2: Partnership Over Parochialism?

At first glance, it seems the new Joe Biden administration will be adopting the same punitive policy vis-vis Nord Srteam 2 as its predecessor:  Nord Stream 2 should not go into operation and sanctions should be used as a means to this end.

The Indian flag (copyright by Shutterstock/Niyazz)
The Indian flag (copyright by Shutterstock/Niyazz)

Indian Oil to monetise pipeline assets

India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman in a recent budget speech announced plans to monetise (privatise) existing oil and gas pipeline infrastructure, which is operated by various state-owned assets including the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).

President Biden during a speech in the White House in 2021 (© Shutterstock/Salma Bashir Motiwala)
President Biden during a speech in the White House in 2021 (© Shutterstock/Salma Bashir Motiwala)

President Biden Raises The Pressure on Nord Stream 2 - Gazprom Seemingly Unfazed

As President Biden enters the Nord Stream 2 conundrum, asserting the pipeline is a "bad deal" for Europe, Gazprom has begun a public campaign extolling the virtues of a pipeline that will help Russia and Europe to meet its most ambitious climate goals.

Fortuna in the port of Mukran near Sassnitz, Germany (copyright by Shutterstock/ Karsten_1)
Fortuna in the port of Mukran near Sassnitz, Germany (copyright by Shutterstock/ Karsten_1)

Nord Stream 2 Readies Itself For The Final Push Before Completion

Nord Stream AG said yesterday that "the laybarge Fortuna has started works in the construction corridor in the Danish EEZ, ahead of the resumption of the Nord Stream 2 construction."

Kremlin in the morning sun (copyright by Shutterstock/Baturina Yuliya)
Kremlin in the morning sun (copyright by Shutterstock/Baturina Yuliya)

The Kremlin Maintains Nord Stream 2 Will Be Completed

While Russian gas producer Gazprom has acknowledged in a Eurobond prospectus that Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project may be suspended or scrapped due to political pressure, the Kremlin followed on the same day to assert that the project would be completed.

The flag of the USA (copyright by Shutterstock/Graeme Dawes)
The flag of the USA (copyright by Shutterstock/Graeme Dawes)

State Department Readying to Levy Sanctions on Nord Stream 2 Companies

Up to now, the Trump administration has merely threatened to impose sanctions on any company assisting with the construction of Nord Stream 2 on the floor of the Baltic.  During the past several weeks, as construction on the last few kilometers has begun despite the threats, the U.S.

Pakistan flag with drilling platforms and oil wells (copyright by Shutterstock/Comdas)
Pakistan flag with drilling platforms and oil wells (copyright by Shutterstock/Comdas)

Pakistan To Build Short Distance Gas Pipeline For Power Generation

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) of Pakistan, has charged KE, the only vertically-integrated power utility in Pakistan, with the construction and operation of a 2.4-km short distance gas pipeline.

Waving flags of Denmark and Germany (copyright by Shutterstock/esfera)
Waving flags of Denmark and Germany (copyright by Shutterstock/esfera)

Germany and Denmark Sign Groundbreaking Gas Supply Agreement

For the first time in their bilateral relationship Germany and Denmark have signed late last month an agreement on gas solidarity to ensure that in times of supply crises they will come to each other's aid and help their neighbor out. Thomas Bareiß, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Denmark’s Mini

Route of Nord Stream 2 (copyright by Shutterstock/MurzilA)
Route of Nord Stream 2 (copyright by Shutterstock/MurzilA)

Special Pipe-Laying Vessel Fortuna Leaves the Nord Stream 2 Construction Site

Fortuna, the Russian pipe-laying vessel, has successfully completed the 2,6-km section of the Nord Stream 2 subsea gas pipeline in German territorial waters and is traveling to the Hanseatic German port of Wismar. The parent Nord Stream AG in Zug, Switzerland, said the ship will resume construction of the pipeline in Danish territorial waters by mid January.

European Union flag infront of the European Commission (copyright by Shutterstock/symbiot)
European Union flag infront of the European Commission (copyright by Shutterstock/symbiot)

EU Funds For Cross-Border Gas Pipeline Projects Dry Up

The construction of gas pipelines within the EU has been facilitated in the recent past by the institution's support for cross-border energy projects, meaning they can receive EU funding and fast-tracked permits, according to the TEN-E (Trans European Network) rules.