Energy Blast – Oct 19, 2009

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is hosting today’s Vienna meeting between Russia, France, the U.S, and Iran, which will attempt to finalise an agreement on sending Iranian uranium abroad for enrichment.  Iran says it will enrich the uranium itself, if talks fail.  Nuclear talks have uncovered differing opinions on sanctions for Iran from Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev.  Russia-U.S. talks on a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1) are being held today in Geneva, with Medvedev saying that he aims to complete negotiations by December.  Russia, Venezuela and Iran have proposed replacing the dollar as the currency for oil transactions.  Russian oil major Lukoil says its partner ConocoPhillips has no plans to sell its stake.  Nigerian and Serbian companies have both announced new joint ventures with Gazprom.  Alexander Lebedev’s Timan Oil and Gas is struggling to stave off liquidation.  The British Prime Minister is stepping up the rhetoric ahead of efforts to agree on a new global pact against climate change.