Energy Blast – April 16, 2012

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who is overseeing Moscow’s delegation at nuclear talks between six world powers and Iran has described the atmosphere at the weekend’s talks as ‘constructive’.   Russia apparently believes that world powers should offer Iran ‘real incentives‘ to allow full monitoring of its nuclear program rather than demanding its immediate termination.  Turkey has vowed it will not scale down its energy projects with Tehran.  Ukraine’s parliament has outlawed any sale of Naftogaz Ukrainy after officials suggested Russia was looking to acquire a stake in the state-run energy company’s natural-gas pipelines in exchange for cheaper supplies of the fuel.  The Washington Post reports on the increasing militarization of the Arctic, the next battleground for energy exploration, where Russia’s border service plans to establish 20 new border posts.  Shareholders of Russia’s state-controlled oil giant Rosneft has approved a discount of $1.5 per barrel for oil supplies to China.  Oil pipeline monopoly Transneft reportedly backs the idea of handing over the state’s 20% stake in Novorossiisk Commercial Sea Port to oil major Rosneft.