Page 11 - MEOG Week 39 2022

MEOG NEWS IN BRIEF MEOG

Oman’s oil exports recorded a rise by in an interview with the Japanese state deliver 33bn cubic metres (bcm) of natural
15.4% till the end of August 2022 compared to network (NHK), he said: “Iran does not wait gas. Turkey consumes half of that provision,
the corresponding period in 2021. for the revival of the Joint Comprehensive while the rest is sent on a pipeline (sometimes
Oman’s oil exports to Japan recorded a Plan of Action (JCPOA), and is trying to referred to as Balkan Stream) dedicated to
surge by 252.8% to reach 8,410,800 barrels attract foreign investment and is 100% deliveries via Bulgaria to the Balkans and
until the end of August 2022. Oil exports to ready to accept investment from Japanese Central Europe, especially to Serbia, North
South Korea also increased by 68.7% during companies.” Macedonia and Hungary.
the same period. SHANA RFE/RL pointed out that TurkStream lies
Oman’s production of natural gas 3 kilometres below the sea in waters with
(including imports) rose by 4.8% till the end high seismic activity. It said specialised ships
of August 2022 to reach 35,268,300,000 cu m. GAS frequently monitor the infrastructure for
The consumption of gas recorded an damage and make rapid repairs. The required
increase in industrial areas by 13.3%, Russian gas supplies to monitoring and repair equipment is mainly
industrial projects by 8.1% and oil fields by imported from the West.
1.6%. Meanwhile, consumption of gas in Europe via TurkStream now The contract revocation meant that “no
electricity power plants declined by 1.8%. one will be able to carry out repairs if a pipe is
TRADE ARABIA endangered damaged, gas leaks, or if a part of the pipeline
comes apart due to an earthquake. In fact, the
Owji meets major Japanese Russia is reportedly taking the position company has lost operational control over the
that Western sanctions prevent it from
pipeline, the Russian branch has lost contact
oil, gas firms maintaining the crucial TurkStream natural with the corporate centre,” a Russian source at
South Stream Transport B.V. informed RFE/
gas pipeline that supplies Turkey, countries in
Iranian Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji held the Balkans and Hungary. RL.
meetings with the executives of top Japanese If the pipeline was to be shut down, it Western countries have accused Moscow
oil and gas firms in Tokyo, in continuation would exacerbate Europe’s energy crisis, of using the Ukraine war sanctions imposed
of the 13th administration’s active energy already this week worsened by mysterious on Russia by the West as a pretext to cut gas
diplomacy. explosions that have put three of the four exports to Europe. Russia’s plan, they say,
Mr. Owji, who left Tehran for Tokyo on strands of the Nord Stream Russia-Germany is to deal Europe severe economic blows
Saturday at the head of a delegation to attend two-pipeline system beyond repair. and potentially leave European households
several meetings and consult with Japanese In a letter to managers of South Stream exposed to winter weather, thereby
energy heavyweights, has had intensive Transport B.V. on September 14 “obtained by undermining support for the EU’s backing of
meetings in Japan. media outlet RFE/RL” company director Oleg Ukraine.
He met with CEOs of major oil and gas Aksyutin ordered them to cease all work on The EU last year received 40% of its gas
companies in Japan, including Toshiaki TurkStream, including cancelling contracts needs from Russia, but many member states
Kitamura, CEO of Inpex, Takeshi Saito, with Western suppliers. now want to wean themselves off Russian gas
CEO of Eneos, Yamamoto, CEO of Fuji Oil, South Stream Transport B.V., a Dutch unit supplies entirely, seeing it has a now hugely
Tramura, member of the board of directors of Kremlin-controlled gas giant Gazprom that unreliable supplier that has become a threat to
of Nippon Export and Investment Insurance is responsible for operating the underwater their energy security.
(NEXI), Haba, the CEO of Mitsubishi Oil and Black Sea pipeline that provides a key Hungary Today on September 29 reported
Gas, and the CEO of Maroubani Company. route for Turkey-bound and Balkans-and- Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto
Mr. Owji consulted and talked about Hungary-bound gas, was reported as saying as telling a meeting of energy ministers from
investment opportunities in the upstream that the Netherlands revoked its licence as of the Organisation of Turkic States (OCT)
and downstream sectors of Iran’s oil industry, September 17. in Almaty, Kazakhstan, that without an
as well as cooperation and trade in energy “Suspend the execution of all contracts operational TurkStream, Hungary would be in
carriers and technology. related to the technical support of the gas big trouble.
During this visit, the Minister of Petroleum pipeline,” Aksyutin was cited as writing in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
also attended the memorial ceremony of the the letter, “including design, manufacture, has this week briefed reporters that he foresees
late Japanese President Shinzo Abe on behalf assembly, testing, repair, maintenance, and no problems affecting Russian gas supplies to
of the administration of the Islamic Republic training.” Turkey this winter.
of Iran, and on the sidelines of the ceremony, South Steam has the capacity to annually NEWSBASE

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