(Sources: Economist, BBC NEWS, FT & Reuters)
The Sakhalin II Project is one of Royal Dutch Shell's largest undertakings in history. However, the Anglo-Dutch giant was dealt yet another blow by Russian national "strong arm" tactics.
Russia effectively needed a "casus belli" to re-ascertain its grip on its precious oil resources. This, of course, after 80% of the investments had been made by Shell & consortium. Gazprom & Co. knew very well that Shell was in no position to effectively negotiate or walk away for that matter. Gazprom had been inside the deal from day one; this to ensure political protection. However, Shell effectively paid the burglar to watch his house, only to find it held ransom.
To its credit, Shell has had much experience in extracting oil from regions with substantive political risk (i.e. Nigeria). It should have realized, as little red riding hood did, that offering cookies to grandmother Gazprom could mean that it would be eaten by the big bad wolf (Vladimir Putin) or the Russian bear in this case.
Sadly the oil sector in Russia needs quality investment and the Sakhalin drama comes at a bad time. On the other hand, another oil spike could lead to proportionally more investments into alternative energy solutions as political risks begin to outweigh technological risks.
There is a valuable lesson to be learned here. In fact this should serve as a warning to investors with foreign hydrocarbon portfolio exposure. The legacy of authoritarianism still upholds: if you're in need of a fix, do a favor to the boss. Beware of the big bad wolf. Unfortunately we can expect our appetites for oil to be spoiled by more "bad wolves."
Starring Chavez of Venezuela and Morales of Bolivia (not to mention the desert wolves in Iran and Saudi Arabia).
To be continued
The Sakhalin II Project is one of Royal Dutch Shell's largest undertakings in history. However, the Anglo-Dutch giant was dealt yet another blow by Russian national "strong arm" tactics.
Russia effectively needed a "casus belli" to re-ascertain its grip on its precious oil resources. This, of course, after 80% of the investments had been made by Shell & consortium. Gazprom & Co. knew very well that Shell was in no position to effectively negotiate or walk away for that matter. Gazprom had been inside the deal from day one; this to ensure political protection. However, Shell effectively paid the burglar to watch his house, only to find it held ransom.
To its credit, Shell has had much experience in extracting oil from regions with substantive political risk (i.e. Nigeria). It should have realized, as little red riding hood did, that offering cookies to grandmother Gazprom could mean that it would be eaten by the big bad wolf (Vladimir Putin) or the Russian bear in this case.
Sadly the oil sector in Russia needs quality investment and the Sakhalin drama comes at a bad time. On the other hand, another oil spike could lead to proportionally more investments into alternative energy solutions as political risks begin to outweigh technological risks.
There is a valuable lesson to be learned here. In fact this should serve as a warning to investors with foreign hydrocarbon portfolio exposure. The legacy of authoritarianism still upholds: if you're in need of a fix, do a favor to the boss. Beware of the big bad wolf. Unfortunately we can expect our appetites for oil to be spoiled by more "bad wolves."
Starring Chavez of Venezuela and Morales of Bolivia (not to mention the desert wolves in Iran and Saudi Arabia).
To be continued
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