Shifting Geo-Politics not Good for the Climate

February 22, 2010By Andy RowellBlog Post

Change may only happen in small steps, but slowly and surely the geo-politics of oil are changing. The dynamics of Middle Eastern oil are in transition. Anyone who argued that the war in the Gulf was a war about oil should sit up and take notice.  And anyone concerned about the climate should also be … Read More

The Flawed Defence of “Dirty Oil”

September 18, 2008By Andy RowellBlog Post

It was inevitable that some sections of the Canadian press would defend tar sands, but the arguments they are using are fundamentally flawed. In an editorial entitled “’Dirty oil’ beats bloody oil” today, the Calgary Herald tries to hit back at recent moves (see blog here) that highlight the financial risks of oil sands. The … Read More

Pumping more oil is the wrong solution…

June 16, 2008By Andy RowellBlog Post 2 Comments

Under huge political pressure, Saudi Arabia will raise oil production to record levels by pumping an extra half-a-million barrels of oil a day, bringing their production to 9.7 million barrels a day. That would be a rise of 550,000 bpd or over 6 percent since May and would take Saudi crude output to its highest … Read More

US Pleads for More Oil

January 23, 2008By Andy RowellBlog Post 2 Comments

U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman has pleaded with Saudi Arabia for more oil, undeterred by OPEC’s cautious response to Washington’s request so far. Bodman told reporters in Abu Dhabi there were short-term concerns about the performance of the U.S. economy and he was hopeful Riyadh would steer a decision to increase oil supplies at OPEC’s … Read More

Saudi Holds 200 Over Foiled Oil Attack

November 29, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Saudi Arabia says it has arrested 208 militants for involvement in cells planning an imminent attack on an oil installation, as well as attacks on clerics and security forces. State television in the world’s biggest oil exporter said one of the cells was planning to smuggle in missiles. Al Qaeda sympathizers have mounted a campaign … Read More

Twelve Dollars a Year

November 1, 2007By Mark FloegelBlog Post

In the late winter of 2006, the citizens of Burlington, Vermont prepared to elect one of five candidates to a three-year term for an open mayor’s seat.  At one forum, a citizen stood up and asked, “Within the next mayoral term, it’s likely the price of oil will hit $90 a barrel and gas will … Read More

Al-Qaeda “Confess” on TV About Saudi Oil Attack

May 16, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Captured al-Qaeda militants have “confessed” on Saudi media that last year’s foiled suicide attack on the world’s largest oil processing facility was part of a plot to strike oil installations in an attempt to draw U.S. troops into Saudi Arabia. Four alleged members of an al-Qaeda terror cell arrested following the Feb. 2006 attack on … Read More

Oil Security Discussed in Saudi

May 1, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Meanwhile at another meeting this week in Saudi Arabia, the security of oil supplies will be the central theme when Middle East and Asian oil ministers meet. The meeting comes days after Riyadh said it had foiled a militant plot against its oil facilities. Asian importers – who buy 55 percent of their oil from … Read More