Energy Blast – Jan 14, 2010

Transneft is still supplying Belarus with oil, but, according to a spokesman, ‘if there is no application, no more oil remains to be pumped‘.  RFE/RL seconds the concerns about the Mozyr plant in particular, saying transit could be suspended because of unconfirmed volumes.  A joint statement has been signed between Turkey and Russia on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Turkey and progress has been reported on plans to build part of the South Stream pipeline in Turkish waters.  Efforts to construct the $2.5 billion Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline in Turkey will apparently be redoubled – implying that the Burgas-Alexandropoulos pipeline is to be shelved?  Reuters remarks that cooperation was asserted without any Nabucco-bashing.  Gazprom will reportedly be involved in the drawing up of a ‘road map’ for Russia-Iran collaboration in the energy sphere.  Iran has suggested that national currencies be used in joint projects.  Russia has apparently ‘rescued British energy consumers’ from the possibility of gas shortages.  BP’s market capitalization has, according to the Telegraph, exceeded that of Shell for the first time since October 2006.