US President Barack Obama on Wednesday denied pressuring Australia to reverse a ban on selling uranium to India but said he would "watch with interest" how the issue played out.

• November 16, 2011

Since the December 1991 collapse of the USSR, one of the most exciting developments for the international energy community has been the rise of oil exports from the Caspian region.

• November 15, 2011

If the gas industry bosses in Russia are to be believed, we're entering a new golden age for the 'blue fuel' as it's called. It will be a win-win situation for Russia as consumption is expected to show double digit growth.

• November 15, 2011

The UN atomic watchdog's damning new report on Iran's nuclear programme has set the stage for a diplomatic showdown at IAEA headquarters this week, pitting Russia and China against Western powers.

• November 15, 2011

Defending his efforts to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions, President Barack Obama said Sunday that economic sanctions against Tehran have had "enormous bite," and that he will consult with other nations on additional steps to ensure that Iran does not acquire an atomic weapon.

• November 14, 2011

The prioritization of modernization projects proposed in the feasibility study is based on relatively inexpensive repairs, which will help keep the Ukrainian gas transport system in good working condition up to its full modernization.

• November 14, 2011

The two presidents meet on sidelines of trade summit in Hawaii, discuss 'wide-ranging' topics including Syria, Afghanistan, and European missile defense.

• November 13, 2011

Issue 9: October 2011

A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
Key points:

• In a somewhat surprising development for Gazprom, Turkish state-owned gas pipeline operator, Botaş, has declined to extend its contract for 6 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas per year. The move is seen by some as an attempt by Ankara to obtain gas price discounts.
• The Polish state-owned energy company, PGNiG, has joined its European counterparts in pressing for lower gas prices from Gazprom. Warsaw wants to change the gas price formula and tie it to spot gas market prices.
• Another recent, unpleasant surprise for Gazprom was the launch of an investigation into its European partners carried out by the European Commission (EC). Officially, the EC investigation concerns the potential violation of antimonopoly legislation, although some commentators see the investigation as an attempt to strengthen the position of European consumers in their negotiations with the Russian gas giant.
• Belarus has agreed terms with Gazprom for the sale of the remaining 50 percent stake in Beltransgaz. In return, Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, is demanding guarantees of transit through the Belarusian pipeline network and a reduction in gas import prices to the level of internal Russian prices.
• Ukraine President, Viktor Yanukovich’s attempt to destroy his political rival, Yulia Timoshenko, is playing into Gazprom’s hands. As Brussels toughens its stance towards Kiev, Ukraine is forced to be more amenable in its negotiations with Russia, especially those over the future of Ukraine’s Gas Transit System (GTS)
• Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit to China failed to produce a breakthrough in negotiations over the Altai gas pipeline and potential Russian gas deliveries to China. The price of gas exports via the Altai pipeline remains the main stumbling block, as Gazprom is currently seeking other ways of exporting gas to China, namely via the Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok pipeline.

• November 13, 2011