Berlin Responds to US Threats of Imposing Sanctions Against Nord Stream 2

As Washington has declared that it might introduce sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, authorities in Berlin have said that such a move won't guarantee the growth of imports of liquefied gas from the US.

Russia, Austria review fate of Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Progress on the second phase of the Nord Stream pipeline to Europe was the focus of talks with Austrian energy company OMV, Russia's Gazprom said.

60,000 North Korean Children May Starve as Sanctions Slow Aid: UNICEF

An estimated 60,000 children face potential starvation in North Korea, where international sanctions are exacerbating the situation by slowing aid deliveries, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

US receives Russian LNG shipment, 2nd tanker reported on its way

A French vessel carrying Russian liquefied natural gas docked in Boston on Sunday. Another tanker is reportedly on its way, despite Washington’s sanctions against Moscow and amid grand plans of conquering Europe’s gas market.

North Korea drought: Children at risk in 'worst crisis since 2001'

North Korea is facing severe food shortages after being hit by its worst drought since 2001, a report from the United Nations says.

Iran, Russia agree to jointly produce nuclear fuel

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said on Saturday that Russia and Iran have reached an agreement to jointly produce nuclear fuel, semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

Iran signs major gas deal with France's Total

Iran signed a deal with France's Total on Tuesday to develop a major offshore gas field, its first big contract with a Western energy firm since sanctions were loosened in January.

Obama announces new loosening of Cuba sanctions

President Barack Obama on Friday moved to ease more economic sanctions on Cuba.

First Shipment of US Natural Gas Arrives in Portugal

The first shipment of liquefied natural gas from the United States has reached its destination in Portugal, a development that could disrupt Russia's domination of the European gas market.

Bulgaria, Greece in action to lure Russian tourists

Both Greece and Bulgaria, two of Turkey’s neighbors, have stepped forward to lure Russian tourists, who have abstained from their most popular destination as part of Moscow sanctions on Ankara due to the downing of Russian military plane last November.

Iran plans to double its oil exports to Japan once sanctions are lifted

Iran plans to double its oil exports to Japan after international sanctions are lifted, Mehr News Agency said on Sunday. "It has been estimated that oil exports to Japan will increase twofold once the international sanctions are nullified," the agency said.

Oil Prices Drop on Glut Supply Fears

Oil prices resumed their fall on Monday edging down to just under $42 a barrel.

OPEC chief says oil cartel 'not ready' to cut production

OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah El-Badri said on Thursday (Jul 30) the oil producers' cartel is not planning to cut production despite the fall in crude prices over recent months and concerns about the possible addition of Iranian oil in the market.

EU to consider lifting fish import ban on Sri Lanka

The European Commission has offered Sri Lanka assistance to meet the regulatory requirements that would enable an early lifting of ban on fish exports from Sri Lanka to the EU, the Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

La société Rosneft va effectuer le forage dans la mer de Kara de façon indépendante

La compagnie russe Rosneft va continuer d’effectuer le forage dans la mer de Kara de façon indépendante, a déclaré son PDG, Igor Setchine.

Setchine a souligné qu’une meilleure plate-forme résistante aux glaces participerait à ce travail.

Le PDG de Rosneft n'a pas exclu la possibilité d'une coopération avec la société Gazprom.

Illegal fisheries: green cards for five countries, but red card for Sri Lanka. (EC -14.10.14)

European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 14 October 2014:

In its fight against illegal fishing activities worldwide, the European Commission has today proposed to ban imports of fisheries products from Sri Lanka to tackle the commercial benefits stemming from illegal fishing. The move comes after four years of intense dialogue with the country after which it could not demonstrate that it sufficiently addressed illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In contrast, the Commission today confirmed that Belize, Fiji, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu, which had received warnings at the same time as Sri Lanka, have successfully taken measures to tackle illegal fishing. Consequently, the Commission proposes to lift the trade measures imposed in March this year against Belize.

Rosneft Capable of Arctic Drilling Without ExxonMobil. (The East Prinovozemelsky blocks in the Kara Sea)

SOCHI, September 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russian oil giant Rosneft and US oil company ExxonMobil continue the drilling in the Kara Sea, however, the Russian company was prepared to continue work independently should plans have changed, Rosneft Vice President Larisa Kalanda said at the International Investment Forum Sochi 2014.
"The work at the Universitetskaya field is going in accordance to plans. We are satisfied with the decision from the American regulator that has authorized [Exxon's participation]… In the case that the regulator had not authorized Exxon to work at the field, Rosneft had its own plan and was ready to continue work on its own," Kalanda said.

ExxonMobil receives US government agreement to continue Arctic work with Rosneft. Obama administration granted a brief extension

Previously, sources told Bloomberg that ExxonMobil and Rosneft had halted drilling wells on the Arctic shelf....

American ExxonMobil has confirmed receiving the U.S. government’s permission to continue Arctic drilling works together its partner Rosneft which the company was supposed to stop because of U.S. and European sanctions imposed to punish Russia for escalating tensions in Ukraine, the Bloomberg news agency reported with reference to the company’s statement.

Politically motivated sanctions may jeopardize global energy security. (Russian Energy Minister)

Politically-motivated sanctions may adversely impact global energy security, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.

He said that no one had bothered to reckon possible impacts of the anti-Russian sanctions on the global energy sector. “In Russia, we try to analyze this situation but as concerns the global situation, as has been noted here by many, it would be better not to tamper with the energy sector, since the balance of energy security is a very delicate balance,” Novak said at the international investment forum in Sochi.

Russia tightens energy grip amid 'reverse flow' gas trade

 While the EU prepares to apply a new round of sanctions against Russian energy companies, Poland, Slovakia and Austria have announced delivery shortfalls in their Russian gas imports being piped through Ukraine.

Ukraine started reverse flow of gas imports from Europe through Slovakia, Poland, Austria and Hungary, after Russia halted gas exports to Ukraine in June.