Tag Archives: oil

International, U.S.

World War 3: Afghans kill 6 U.K. troops, Dozens of Afghans detained for ‘suspicion’ of being Taliban, Afghan border police killed

March 7, 2012, British Ministry of Defense officials say six of their troops were killed in Helmand Province.  The Red Coats were patrolling in their vehicle when they were hit by an explosion.

In Kandahar Province, Afghan border police were hit by a suicide bomber: “There was a motorbike bomb blast against border police in Spin Boldak. Four civilians, one of them a woman, were killed and 10 others were injured.”-local police statement

As is usual in suicide attacks against Afghans, no one is claiming responsibility. One reason could be that it is not “Taliban” insurgents who’re carrying out these attacks, because they are usually quick to claim responsibility in other attacks.

Also, Afghan government officials reported a major operation involving U.S./NATO/ISAF forces: “The Afghan National Police, Afghan army and International Coalition Forces launched 11 joint operations in Nangarhar, Kunduz, Kandahar, Helmand, Wardak, Khost, Ghazni, and Logar provinces over the past 24 hours. As a result of these operations, four armed militants were killed and 31 others were arrested.”-Interior Ministry statement

The overwhelming number of people arrested, were detained simply for being “suspected” of being a militant, or being a “facilitator” for militants (something that can now be done here in the U.S. under NDAA 2012).

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

Oil & Gas Prices: EIA says oil supply to drop, Jordan cancels contract with Egypt, North Sea Oil near record high price, Canadian oil prices crashing blame North Dakota

March 6, 2012, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said oil supply will drop.  This is due to disruptions affecting non-OPEC countries.

This is probably the cause of increased fuel prices, but wait, there’s more!  The EIA also says U.S. demand for petroleum is also going down.  In fact, demand in the United States is at a 15 year low!

That decrease in U.S. demand is being offset by increased demand around the World. Also, the EIA says oil transportation problems in the U.S. Midwest will keep oil prices above $103 per barrel, into 2013!

Speaking of oil disruptions, Jordan announced that because of continued attacks on the natural gas line coming from Egypt, they will be forced to look elsewhere for natural gas: “It would be great if Egypt can prove they can secure the pipeline, but it is clear that Jordan can no longer rely on Egyptian gas.”-Qutaiba Abu Qoura, Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

For oil coming out of the ocean east of United Kingdom, North Sea oil prices spiked on March 6.  The reason is production delays for Asian customers.  It’s called Forties Crude, and hit $1.80 per barrel over the price of Brent Crude (which is about $20.00 per barrel over the price of U.S. Crude).

In September 2011, Forties Crude hit a record $2.05 over the price of Brent Crude.

Reuters estimates that Forties Crude pumping has dropped about 10,000 barrels per day since February 2012.  Reuters analysts think this is due to production problems.  In any case it only helps their price go up!

Canadian oil is dropping in price. According to reports out of Canada, their oil is losing value because there is now too much Canadian oil being pumped into the United States!  In other words too much supply.  So why are fuel prices in the United States going up?

Pipelines coming from Canada are rapidly filling up, and will soon be backed up with too much oil. Another factor in Canadian oil losing value; North Dakota!

Analysts with Cenovus Energy say North Dakota is now pumping out 400,000 extra barrels of oil everyday!

Again why are fuel prices going up then?  The U.S. EIA says all that oil from Canada is getting “bottlenecked” in the U.S. Midwest, because of oil transportation problems.  This is why the Canadians wanted the Keystone XL pipeline.  But, U.S. oil man Barack Obama is blocking the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

Canadians are hoping that getting their oil to more refineries would help bring up revenues: “…clearly not going to be a good quarter. Between blowouts in heavy pricing, blowouts in synthetic oil pricing, weak natural prices, it’s across the board. The only thing that’s working, really, is downstream.”-Andrew Potter, CIBC World Markets

So how much is Canadian oil? Western Canadian Select Crude is currently about $34 less per barrel than U.S. Crude (aka West Texas Intermediate).  Canadians expect their oil prices to continue downward until mid 2013.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

Oil & Gas Prices: Chevron Gas rig burns for 46 days, Oil war brewing between Sudan & South Sudan, Libyan rebels declare independence in Oil Rich Eastern Libya

March 6, 2012, after 46 days a natural gas rig fire has finally been put out. The rig is operated by Chevron, it is located in Nigeria.

The off shore gas rig blew up on January 16, killing two people. It eventually collapsed into the sea: “We cannot predict how long it will take to complete the relief well, but will do so as quickly as possible while maintaining safe operations.”– Russell Johnson, Chevron

Nigeria is the top oil/gas producer in Africa.  The catastrophe is now killing the fish in the ocean:“The gas is inside the fish. After eating the fish you feel like somebody who drunk diesel, you feel dizzy.”-Bravely Salvage, local fisherman

Locals say fish and dolphins have been washing up on the beach.  Chevron officials say the explosion and resulting 46 day fire should not have impacted the fish!!!  Can you say lawsuit?  Nigerian rebels are using the explosion as further justification in their war against the oil industry: “Nothing has changed in the Niger Delta. This is a fools’ peace!”-Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta

South Sudan has lodged a complaint against Sudan, with the United Nations, for the bombing of an oil well.  Sudan said they didn’t do it.

South Sudan is trying to get around the high transport fees Sudan charges for shipping their oil to the Red Sea.  They are building an oil pipeline to Kenya.

South Sudan officials claim the increased violence in their country, which just happen to be destroying their oil production, is being instigated by Sudan: “Khartoum is sending a signal saying ‘if you divert the oil and we do not benefit from anything then we can destroy that oil and create instability so that you don’t enjoy the benefits of that oil’.”-Samson Wassara, Juba University

In Libya, proof the U.S./European supported Libyan government is a joke; rebels have declared oil rich eastern Libya independent!

Eastern Libya is where the “rebellion” began, when Chinese oil workers were attacked.  The Chinese government had to evacuate 30,000 Chinese oil workers, something the Western Media failed to report.

Now, in a obvious case of hypocrisy, Libya’s pro-U.S. government leaders are making the same statements that Gaddafi made: “Some Arab nations, unfortunately, have supported and encouraged this to happen. These nations are funding this kind of unacceptable strife. What happened today is the beginning of a conspiracy against Libya and Libyans.”-Mustafa Abdul-Jalil

 

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: French Ambassador sneaks out of Syria, Syrian Ambassador tells U.K. bye bye, Canada closes Embassy

Lebanese media reporting that the French Ambassador to Syria has quietly driven into Lebanon. The ambassador and his diplomatic staff are in a convoy heading back to Pairs.

In the United Kingdom, the Syrian Ambassador made it clear to the British government that he will be leaving, after being called back by the Syrian government.

Canada has closed down their embassy in Syria: “All of our Canadian diplomats have left Damascus. The safety and security of Canadian personnel is our top priority and that is not a decision we took lightly.”-John Baird, Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada

After a meeting with officials from the United Arab Emirates, Canadian officials also imposed new sanctions. The new sanctions include a complete ban on financial services, as well as sanctions on the Syrian central bank.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Oil & Gas Prices to go up: Oil pipeline blown up in Syria, gas pipeline blown up in Egypt, oil pipeline explodes in Illinois, pipeline fire in Alaska, pipeline fire in Texas

March 5, 2012, pro-U.S. rebels blew up a major oil pipeline in Syria.  It happened in Deir al-Zor.

Deir al-Zor is an oil producing province bordering Iraq.  It has been under attack by rebels who are part of the loosely organized U.S./Israeli supported Free Syrian Army.

Also, a gas pipeline from Egypt to Jordan and Israel was blown up, for the 13th time since the January 2011 Egyptian Revolution.

Over the weekend, an oil pipeline was shut down after two cars crashed into the pipeline, causing an explosion.  The pipeline runs from Canada to Illinois. Two people were killed, three injured. Local Illinois police say it was a terrible car accident.

On March 1, British Petroleum (BP) reported a fire at one of its Alaskan operations. They said employees noticed a flame, then a loud bang at the Prudhoe Bay Gathering Center 2.   They don’t know what caused it.

In Texas, on March 2, three workers were injured by a fire on a Texas pipeline.  It’s being called a flash fire, caused when the workers were trying to repair an out of use pipeline.

On February 24, 2012, a Louisiana gas plant was closed indefinitely.  One employee was injured during a fire at the Basile plant.  The plant will re-open after an investigation.

Now realize that these kinds of things happen on a weekly bases, all around the World.  This proves the petroleum industry is not environmentally safe, is run by incompetents, is a main target of war, and it is the real reason oil and natural gas prices stay high.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Japan reveals plans to airlift their citizens out of Iran!

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have just revealed plans to evacuate Japanese citizens living in Iran!

On March 5, 2012, Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka made the statement in a Diet (parliament) session.

He said they are prepared to use C-130 transports, along with aerial refueling tankers, to “rescue” Japanese stuck in Iran, in case of “emergency”!

According to official Japanese numbers, there are about 700 Japanese citizens living in Iran, many are married to Iranians.

International, U.S.

World War 3: More suicide bombing in Afghanistan. More attacks against NATO. Iran trying to assasinate Afghan leaders? U.S. cancels security meeting.

According to separate reports there were two suicide bombings, March 5, 2012.

One took place in eastern Nangarhar Province, in Jalalabad city.  Local officials say as many as 13 people were killed, including civilians and police.  No group has claimed responsibility.

Then in Parwan Province, a suicide bomber tried to attack the U.S./NATO/ISAF airbase at Bagram.  The bomber targeted a NATO vehicle.  Two civilians were killed. The reports claim the “Taliban” took responsibility, and said it was vengeance for the U.S. burnings of Qur’ans.

It’s been revealed, that last week several Afghans were arrested trying to assassinate several Afghan politicians.  Officials with the National Directorate for Security of Afghanistan, say those arrested are claiming they were hired by the Iranian Republican Guards Corps.

Some Iranian officials point out that the Afghan politicians making the claim are pro-U.S. and are trying to create justifications to keep U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

March 5, Afghan officials say the United States has canceled upcoming security talks. The cancellation comes after Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded the United States/NATO/ISAF stop night time home invasions, and turn over all U.S. controlled prisons to Afghanistan!

Some reports say U.S. officials told Karzai that it was “technically unfeasible” to meet his demands!  (just another way to say ‘beatings will continue until moral improves’)

Over the weekend:  The governor of Kunar Province was attacked. His motorcade was shot at, but no one was hurt. No group is claiming responsibility.

About 30 tons of opium and alcohol were burned by the Afghan Interior Ministry officials in southern Kandahar Province.  200 people were arrested!  Despite claims pushed by U.S. officials (that opium is used to pay for militant operations) tribal elders say poverty is the main motive behind the opium cultivation.

Also, Afghan government forces launched a major military operation that spanned several provenances.  The operations were conducted at Nangarhar, Kandahar, Baghlan and Helmand provinces.  They say dozens of militants were killed, wounded and/or arrested.  At lest five Afghan soldiers were killed.

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Congo explosion takes out Chinese workers, Catholic Cathedral

The Chinese government reports that 140 Chinese construction workers were hit by the large explosions in the south western African country of Congo-Brazzaville.  Six have died, one is missing.

Officials in Congo-Brazzaville expect to death toll to climb higher than 206.

The Catholic Cathedral called Saint Louis was flattened: “Many of the faithful are trapped in the debris of the church. Several of the dead have been taken out and I confirm there are more deaths inside.”-Didier Boutsindi, presidential spokesman

St Louis is the Diocese of the area, and it is not located in Brazzaville, where the explosions took place.  It is located in Nkayi, just west of Brazzaville.  If the report is true it gives you an idea how powerful the explosions were.

Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) has been racked by civil war for decades. In 2003 former French oil company executives testified in court that the oil industry is behind causing civil wars, because they can get access to the oil more cheaply.

International

World War 3: Israel turns parking garages into bomb shelters

Recently senior Israeli lawmaker, Zeev Bielski, said the city of Tel Aviv was not prepared enough for war with Iran.

City officials have now begun turning parking garages into bomb shelters.

The parking garage for the Habima National Theater has just been converted to act as a bomb shelter for 1,600 people. It’s conversion will be used in other buildings and parking garages.  A main component of the Habima bomb shelter are large water containers, providing enough water for 1,600 people, for several days.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Black Horse & What Economic Recovery? Brazil says the U.S. Elites are cannibalizing their own people

“Instead of using fiscal policies to invest in their own economies in order to avert the crisis, the rich nations have spilled U.S. $4.7 trillion in the world to make problems worse, thus putting emerging markets in jeopardy.”-Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, and is also an economist

“We have a currency war that is based on an expansionary monetary policy that creates unequal conditions for competition. We will continue to develop (our) country by defending its industry and ensuring that the strategy used by the developed countries to exit the crisis does not cannibalize emerging markets.”

When you realize that the overwhelming number of people living in the United States are now lower income, and that it has come as a result of the Elitist policies within the United states, then you can see that they are cannibalizing their own people as well.

“…there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!'”-New American Standard Bible, Revelation 6:5-6