Another Split With Russia: Putin Plans To Block Out US Oil Giants...

[CatWoman]

President Vladimir Putin is set to keep US oil companies out of a lucrative gas field in the latest sign of the deteriorating relationship between Moscow and Washington.

The Russian leader is expected to favour Norwegian companies and reject bids by America's Chevron and ConocoPhillips after failing to secure backing from the United States for his country's attempt to join the World Trade Organisation.

The tit-for-tat snub will be a blow to US companies scrambling for access to Russia's huge gas reserves at a time of high energy prices. It comes after Putin failed to resolve differences with US President George Bush over trade and human rights at the G8 conference in St Petersburg last week.

The two leaders were barbed about each other's democratic records at a tense G8 press conference. Putin later publicly praised Norsk Hydro and Statoil, the Norwegian firms that are competing with US companies for a role in developing the highly prized Shtokman gas field.

'There is very little chance the American majors will win that tender now,' a Russian oil analyst said yesterday. 'Putin was hoping WTO membership would be wrapped up in time for St Petersburg. The failure to do that is a blow to his prestige.'

A final decision on awarding the contracts - which involves extracting and transporting gas from Shtokman in partnership with Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled company - was also originally expected before the G8 summit but has been postponed until next month at the earliest.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1826629,00.html?gusrc=rss

[opihimoimoi]

1. The Uniter??? Wha Hoppen? Bush got bashed once more by

his oil boys failure to get more gas...due to inadequate "UNITING"

[CatWoman]

2. Hi, Opi

:hi:

:loveya:

[opihimoimoi]

4. Heya Cat

:hi:

:toast: :golf: :bounce: :walk the beach: :eat good food/drink fine wine: :laugh at Bush:

[GeorgeGist]

3. Norway 'best place to live'

Norway wins on income and education
For the second year running, Norway has been named as the best place in the world to live, according to an annual report from the United Nations.

Norway was followed by Sweden, Canada, Belgium, Australia and the US - but the bottom of the chart is dominated by African countries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2149799.stm

[cliss]

5. Well, this ought to make them go through a

meltdown. Now, let's take a close look at the dynamics of this.

Bush and Cheney got into office because of their close ties to the oil industry, the military industrial complex, etc etc. They have always favoured industry over people. They have granted endless favors to their friends in the oil business.

NOW look at what happened. Bush because of his belligerent stupidity & Cheney also. Cheney went over there about 1 month ago and blasted Putin. Now US companies are about to get the dump.

What do you think the oil companies are going to think of this? They are going to be unbelievably pissed at.....Bush....Cheney....the others.

You watch.....there will be a fallout from this. Bush, Cheney: better start sweating...

[citizen snips]

6. I am sure bush is going to label russia communist

it's only a matter of time.