Energy Blast – Dec 21, 2011

Gazprom’s decision to cut investments (by 60% for next year, to $24 billion) and double dividends will ‘boost government coffers’.  Kazakhstan’s KazMunaiGas expects to meet this year’s production target after armed security were deployed to contain riots by sacked oil workers.  Talks between Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Azarov, have failed to make any headway on a gas price cut.  Following the U.S. troop pullout from Iraq, the FT evaluates Iraq’s political situation and its implications for the oil market next year.  ‘Britain’s BP, Total of France and Norway’s Statoil all secured licences to explore in Angola’s pre-salt deposits.’