Issue 03

Geopolitical Risk

• In Amenas Attack Highlights Algeria’s Vulnerability To Saharan Instability
• New Saudi Eastern Province Governor Appointed
• SOMO Threatens Legal Action On KRG Exports

Oil & Gas

• Libya Attempts To Tackle Chronic Instability
• Qatar Changes PSAs to JVs, Invests In Al-Shaheen
• French President Promotes Total On UAE Visit
• Iran’s Service Sector Buckles Under Sanctions Strain
• Sudan Targeting 150,000 B/D Output By Year End
• Israel Approves Plan To Cut Oil Import Dependence

OPEC

• Fiscal Concerns Linger, Despite Easing Demand Growth Alarm

Selected Data

• Benchmark Crude Prices & OPEC Basket Components: 2012 Average Prices

Transportation

• Oman Moves Forward With 200Mn Barrel Storage Hub
• Turkish-Qatari Gas Talks Stall As Balkan LNG Terminal Discussed
• Nabucco Signs MOU With Shah Deniz, TAP Route Change Examined

Refining & Petrochemicals

• Qatar Claims ‘GTL World Capital’ Status
• KPI And Partners Push Vietnam Refinery/Petchems Project

Power & Water

• SEC Lines Up ACWA-Led Consortium For Rabigh-2 IPP
• Iran Restarts Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

Corporate

• TAQA Shuts Down North Sea Platform
• Lukoil Clinches New W Qurna-2 Mega-Project Deal

Economics & Finance

• Ahmadinejad Says Targeted Subsidies Plan To Save Iran’s Economy
• Sudan Secures $1.5Bn Chinese Loan
• 2012 Jordan’s ‘Most Difficult Year’ Since Early 1990s
• Samba Projects Fall In Saudi Real GDP Growth In 2013-15
• Kuwait Audit Bureau Estimates RFFG Assets At $261Bn

Op-Ed & Documents

• Iran And The New Middle East