[Fwd: The unfolding conflict about Caspian Oil (fwd]

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Title: Energy Politics In The Caspian And Russia: 1999
border RFE/RL border

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Logo (image) Before the demise of the Soviet
Union in 1991, only two independent states -- the USSR and Iran -- bordered the
Caspian Sea. Now, five states -- Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and
Turkmenistan -- adjoin the sea, the repository of an estimated 200 billion
barrels of oil and comparable reserves of natural gas.

Over the past few years, major Western oil companies have concluded a series of
multi-billion dollar contracts with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia to
explore and develop Caspian oil and gas deposits. But the implementation of
these deals still depends to a large extent on the construction of a network of
pipelines to export these hydrocarbon riches to Western markets.

At present, the only functioning pipelines run across Russia, giving it leverage
over its newly-independent neighbors. And at least one such agreement is
threatened by a dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan over the ownership
of specific deposits because the international legal status of the Caspian Sea
and the precise delimitation between the national sectors of the states that
border it are unresolved.

Continuing RFE/RL coverage of energy-related developments in the region will be
posted to this page. Also see the RFE/RL Caucasus Report.

See these reports for background:
Broadcast Services
Azerbaijani
Georgian
Kazakh
Russian
Turkmen (image) Energy Politics In The Caspian And Russia

Also see 1998 & 1997 Archives

LAST UPDATE: 20 April 2000

APRIL 2000

Kazakhstan: Oil Find May Renew Struggle For Influence
Russia: Gazprom Secures Pipeline Financing
Caspian Sea: Energy Seen Important For Meeting Global Demands
Caucasus/Central Asia: Turkic Summit Calls For Cooperation
Caspian Sea: Energy Official Promotes Alternate Source

Russia: Analysis From Washington -- Oil Prices And Political Possibilities
Russia: U.S. Cites 'Rule of Law' In Loans For Oil Company
Turkey: Prospects for Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Seem Brighter

MARCH 2000

Turkmenistan: Neutrality Policy Sensible But Not Credible
Russia: Questions Persist Concerning Completed Bypass Oil Pipeline
Georgia/Azerbaijan: More Questions Raised About Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline
Turkmenistan: Niyazov Gets New Terms For Gas Pipeline
Iran/U.S.: Caspian Oil Routes Face Fierce Competition

Turkmenistan/Azerbaijan: Trans-Caspian Oil Deal Raises Questions

FEBRUARY 2000

Russia: Gazprom Competes For Energy Exports
Azerbaijan: Caspian Region Faces Fuel Shortages

JANUARY 2000

Caspian: Slow Progress On Pipelines Raises Concerns
Middle East: A 'Pipeline Of Peace' Sparks New Rivalries
Russia: Turkey Challenges Leadership Role In Caspian Region
Russia: Investment In Iranian Energy Falling
Caspian Sea: Some See Iran Oil Route Unlikely

Central Asia: Trade With Southern Neighbors Fails To Take Off
Turkmenistan: Economy Facing Brighter Prospects
Central Asia: Caspian Resources Provide Alternative To Middle East
Iran: Signals Indicate Desire To End Afghan Conflict
Russia: Pipeline Project Around Chechnya Fraught With Problems

DECEMBER 1999

Iran: Turkey Seeks To Avoid Gas Penalties
Azerbaijan: New Gas Discovery Gives Baku Added Weight
Chechnya: Pipeline Still Plays Significant Role
Kazakhstan: Neighbors Shy Away From Criticizing Russia
Kazakhstan: Nazarbaev To Seek Balance Between U.S., Russia On Oil

Russia: Chechnya War May Continue Till Elections

NOVEMBER 1999

Azerbaijan/Armenia: Pipelines And Peace Become Topical Issues
Azerbaijan: Talks In Turkey To Include Karabakh Peace Process
Caucasus: Scholars Ponder Prospects For Caspian Stability

OCTOBER 1999

Turkmenistan: Iranian Official Explores Possibilities For Economic Cooperation
Azerbaijan: Gas For Turkey Could Be Half Russia's Price
Azerbaijan: Caspian Sea Pipeline Gets Major Backing
Caucasus: Caspian's Trade Route Direction Uncertain
Turkmenistan: Gas Industry Seeks Export Routes

Turkey: Russia Seeking Delay In Pipeline Project
Russia: Caspian Nations Face Difficult Choices On Pipeline Around Chechnya
Armenia/Georgia: Presidents Announce 'New Stage' In Relations

SEPTEMBER 1999

Turkmenistan: Firing Of Top Banker Reveals Economic Problems
Turkey: U.S. Urges Solution To Caspian Pipeline
Georgia: President Accuses World Community Of Indifference To Abkhaz Conflict
Iran: Energy Ties To China Puzzling
Russia: Prime Minister Revives Plan For Oil Pipeline Around Chechnya

Turkmenistan: Economic Relations Developing With Iran
Armenia: Officials Endorse Trilateral Economic Cooperation
Azerbaijan: Options Unfold For Caspian Sea Gas Project
Ukraine: State Seeks To Reduce Energy Debt To Russia, Turkmenistan

AUGUST 1999

Turkey: Earthquake Tremors Also Rock Gas Projects
Azerbaijan/Turkmenistan: Caspian Pipeline May Be Competitive Again
Azerbaijan/Turkmenistan: Caspian Pipeline May Be Competitive Again
Caucasus/Central Asia: Study Considers Western Influence 'Mixed' Success

JULY 1999

Turkey: Egypt Joins Race To Sell Energy
Azerbaijan: Ambassador Requests U.S. Mediator For Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute
East/West: Analysis From Washington: Politics, Economics And National Security
Ukraine: Rising Fuel Prices Respond To Supply And Demand
East: New Study Examines Prospects For Central Asia, Caucasus

Azerbaijan: Turkmenistan To Pay Dearly For Turkish Gas Line
Kazakhstan: Pipeline Projects To China Become Pipe Dreams

JUNE 1999

Iran: Claim To Share Of Caspian Sea Oil Renewed
Iran: Contact With Israel May Affect Caspian Oil Countries
Azerbaijan: Gas Discovery Disappoints Caspian Oil Seekers
Azerbaijan: U.S. Plan For Caspian Pipeline Makes Little Progress

MAY 1999

Azerbaijan: Economy Grows, But Problems Persist
Azerbaijan: President's Illness Highlights Country's Uncertain Future

APRIL 1999

Caspian Sea: Gloomy Picture Overshadows Development
Azerbaijan: President Woos U.S. Investors
Armenia: Foreign Minister Elaborates On Policy
Caucasus/Central Asia: Presidents Seek Stronger Cooperation With U.S.
Azerbaijan/Turkey: Obstacles Remain In Pipeline Policy

Caucasus: Georgia, Azerbaijan And Ukraine Inaugurate Oil Pipeline
The East: Analysis From Washington -- New Moves On The Caucasus Chessboard
Afghanistan: U.S. Denies It Secretly Supports Taliban
Slovakia: Experts Launch Study Of Caspian Oil, Gas Impact
Kazakhstan/Turkmenistan: Presidents Agree On Gas And Oil Exports To China, Japan

Yugoslavia: Caspian Region Leaders Watch Kosovo Impact

MARCH 1999

Armenia: Foreign Minister Says Caucasus Needs Regional Forum
Caspian: Pipeline Plans Becoming Commercially Less Viable
Iran: Khatami Builds Bridges With Europe
Caspian: Views Differ On Viability Of Oil Pipelines

FEBRUARY 1999

Caucasus: Conflict Drives The Young And Educated From Region
Turkey: Ocalan's Capture Could Mean Trouble For Caspian Oil Plans
Azerbaijan: Pondering The Aliev Succession Problem
Central Asia: Leaders Show No Signs Of Retiring
Caucasus: U.S. Military Presence In Caspian Appears Inevitable

JANUARY 1999

Caucasus: Oil, Gas Quarrels Hurt Region's Ties
Central Asia: Ethnic Russian Population Decreases
Central Asia: Book Examines Failing Russian Dominance
Central Asia: Caspian Sea Republics Face Reality In New Year
Transcaucasia/Central Asia: Oil, Gas No Cure For Economic Woes


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