Issue 22

Oil & Gas

• Baghdad Clinches New Zubair Deal With Eni But Shell Majnoon Talks Hit Wall
• Kuwait Oil Sector In Turmoil: Temporary Paralysis, Minister Quits
• Tripoli Touts Progress In Face Of Security Challenge
• Abu Dhabi Habshan Gas
• Egypt: New Minister Targets Output Hike
• Yemen Bids Extended

Transportation

• ADNOC Pushes To Own Faulty Hormuz Bypass Pipeline

Refining & Petrochemicals

• Libya Eyes $80bn Downstream Drive
• Iraqi Petchem Prospects Hinge On Refinery Integration

Power & Water

• Saudi Aramco Boasts Growing Solar Prowess, Eyes Geothermal
• UAE Starts Second Barakah Plant As MENA Nuclear Pursuit Accelerates
• Oman Qualifies Bidders For Musandam Plant

OPEC

• Ministers In Bullish Mood With Third Straight Roll-Over

Geopolitical Risk

• Iran’s Presidential Elections: Supreme Leader Vs President
• Saudi Looks To Trump Iran With Pakistan Loan
• EU Renews Sanctions On Syria

Corporate

• Saudi Aramco: 2012 Production Rises, Capacity Steady

Economics & Finance

• IMF Sees Positive Economic Developments In Iraq
• Libya Faces Hurdles Despite Rebound- IMF
• Kuwait Grants Oman $2.5Bn

Op-Ed & Documents

• Rentier State: The Fundamental Obstacle To Iraq’s Sustainable Development *

Selected Data

• Benchmark Crude Prices
• World Competitive Index* 2012-13 rankings for Arab, MENA and selected other countries