May 2007

Iran has significant proved gas reserves and a long-held desire to become an influential exporter to world markets. But it will struggle to realise these ambitions, writes Alex Forbes

Oil prices analysis

Mehdi Varzi, an Iranian-born international oil consultant, tells James Gavin why cool heads and long visions will help calm choppy international political waters and keep oil markets on an even keel

Since gas exploration took off in russia, the climate for private companies has chamged to a more icey welcome. How will things unfold?

With rising demand for its gas at home and abroad can Russia really supply all of its customers? Derek Brower reports

Russia considers Turkey and Hungary as strategic hubs for the storage and transit of gas to western Europe. But it still has some way to go to convince Hungary to back its extension of the Blue Stream pipeline over the Nabucco project and to persuade Turkey to enter a strategic partnership, writes NJ Watson

Only a decade after exporting its first cargo, Qatar is the undisputed leader of the world's LNG industry. Alex Forbes reports from Doha

Indonesia has fed Asia's LNG markets for years, but with big supply contracts up for renewal, these are uncertain times for Southeast Asia's biggest producer, writes Martin Clark

Brazil, Mexico and Chile, are turning to LNG imports to meet soaring demand for gas and they are prepared to pay a premium to secure steady supplies, writes Robert Cauclanis

Despite production problems, and violence in the Niger Delta, Nigeria remains an important LNG supplier to the Atlantic basin and continues to expand its export operations. But cost pressures and industry bottlenecks are a threat to progress, writes Martin Clark

With its rapidly rising oil production, Angola is being courted by consuming countries old and new. An Opec production ceiling could spoil the party, Martin Quinlan writes

Listing on Aim was all the rage for junior E&P companies not long ago. But the market has lost some of its pizzazz, writes Derek Brower

It is not oil that curses an economy. It is having too many people and not enough oil to go around, writes Derek Brower

As Asian economies and populations boom, NOCs are looking to Africa as their latest resource for supplies to match growing demands

Southeast Europe faces a power shortage until 2012, when new generating capacity is due to enter service. Until then, prices will almost certainly rise, threatening the economic boom that is helping to stabilise the region, NJ Watson reports