When Tapline was constructed in 1947, the idea of creating a shortcut for transporting oil over land made economic sense. This was still true twenty years later, when, despite fierce animosity, Israel and the Arab states cooperated to keep the pipeline running after Israel captured part of the Golan in the 1967 war. But, with the arrival of oil supertankers, it became more economically attractive to load the oil in the Gulf and sail it straight to Western markets, instead of using Tapline.
While the Tapline project may have been buried, the idea of building a pipeline through the Middle East remains alive and well. With renewed interest in natural gas, which is relatively environmentally friendly, various plans have been drawn up to build pipelines connecting gas-rich countries, like Qatar and Iran, to Western markets.
Compared with oil, gas is much harder to transport by sea. In order to make the journey, the gas must first be liquefied, which is a time-consuming and expensive process. A pipeline, on the other hand, would allow natural gas to be delivered straight from the Gulf to the West.
As early as 2009, there were plans to build a pipeline from Qatar to Turkey. They did not come to fruition largely because of obstruction from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who turned down a Qatari offer to finance construction of the pipeline through Syria. Bashar was ostensibly hoping to protect the virtual monopoly enjoyed by its ally, Russia, over the European gas market.
Iran also had plans to transport its vast reserves of natural gas through Iraq and Syria. This time, it was not the Syrian president who blocked the deal. Indeed, in July 2011, Iraq, Syria, and Iran agreed to move forward with the $10 billion arrangement. But, economic and financial sanctions against Iran kept the country from obtaining the necessary funds to finance the project.
Of course, later on, the Syrian conflict also impeded the plan’s implementation. What is less understood, however, is how Russia’s involvement in the conflict may, at least in part, have been inspired by the Iranian pipeline project.
Unlike Iran, Russia did not become militarily involved in the Syrian hostilities until recently. The question on many people’s minds is, why now? One underexplored reason may be Russia’s gas-related interests, after the Iran nuclear deal.
From a geopolitical perspective, Vladimir Putin’s worst possible outcome in the Syrian conflict – before the Iran deal – would have been a rebel win. In addition to eliminating one of Russia’s regional allies, this outcome would have potentially given Gulf states an avenue for routing their gas reserves to Western markets. A new Syrian government would have, however, been unlikely to allow Iran to transport its gas through the country. If Assad was victorious, Putin could rest assured that neither the Gulf states nor the Iranians would be able to sell gas to the West, assuming, where Iran was concerned, that sanctions were still in place.
After the nuclear deal, burgeoning rapprochement between Iran and the West has changed things. Now, both a regime and rebel victory potentially threaten Russia’s energy interests. The only way for Russia to ensure its gas monopoly in Western Europe continues is to prop up Assad’s regime and become an important, influential actor in any post-war negotiations. Should Assad remains in power and recognize that Russia, rather than Iran, is the only ally capable of keeping him there, Russia may secure a decisive role in Syrian affairs, including a veto over any pipeline projects that could threaten its interests.
While there may be many additional reasons why Putin sent troops into Syria, natural gas was likely on his mind when he abruptly decided to make this move.
zoidberg on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 3:42 pm
Iran is spear heading the offensive towards Aleppo working in concert with Russian helping the Syrian Arab army advance towards homs. This article is confused. Natural gas does underly the conflict but Iran and Russia are acting as if they are allies here not competitors. They are of course both keen to block others from exporting thru Syria.
The why now I think is that Assad was crumbling and no longer able to hold onto power without a morale boosting victory.
A looming budget crisis in the US is also stopping the Pentagon from operating very much. Time was ripe for counter offensive especially now that Europe is wavering and Turkey is on a precipice.
Plantagenet on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 3:42 pm
It certainly is possible that Putin entered the war in Syria to block the proposed NG pipeline and protect Russia’s NG export market..
Cheers!
zoidberg on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 3:49 pm
Russia has been in the war with weapon deliveries and diplomatic support since day one. It also sailed in some missle boats during the chemical weapon false flag in 2013. Oboma red line remember? Sailed from Crimea just before the Ukrainian coup ironically…
zoidberg on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 3:52 pm
Others may be unaware but iran has been operating Iraqi Shiite militias and Afghan mercs to fight for Assad for months as well. I’d say overall he’s more dependent on Iran to Stay in power. His allies have essentially taken over the war now.
Boat on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 4:05 pm
Interesting comments zoidberg.
BobInget on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 4:24 pm
Pipelineastan is one reason, certainly.
2) Russia and Syria go way back to the old USSR
days.
3) Israel has been in a constant state of war with Syria since 1967. It was Israel, you may recall that destroyed Syria’s nuclear reactor a few years ago.
4) Israel made friends with Saudi Arabia because they share the same enemy, Iran.
5) Iran and Russia and Iraq are now BF’s.
6) On the 21st of October there will be a OPEC showdown.. Watch for it.
zoidberg on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 5:03 pm
Saudis had some high level meetings with Russia after the kings “hospitalization”. Wish I knew exactly what they talked about. Should become apparent sooner or later. Last news item I saw they were standing with Turkey critizing Russia so I’m guessing Putin told em to stuuf their desperate lies and bribes sideways.
penury on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 5:41 pm
More U.S. propaganda. The gas pipeline was blocked at U.S. insistence by the E.U. Even Sudstream is a no no for the U.S. Ukraine owes us several dollars you know, and this pipeline would spell the end of Ukraine’s usefulness to NATO.
Apneaman on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 6:06 pm
Thousands watched the explosion of a Russian cluster bombs on the town of Idlib countryside Skaik southern launcher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YpVrtQ37ko
Apneaman on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 6:07 pm
Leaked: ‘New Snowden’ releases Obama’s drone program papers
“A cache of classified documents has revealed the inner workings of US drone operations in Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan, including the mechanism of targeting suspects slated for assassination.
The documents, slides, visuals and analysis have been posted by The Intercept on Thursday as “The Drone Papers.” The cache contains two sets of slides detailing the US military’s drone operations in Somalia and Yemen between 2011 and 2013, by the secret Task Force 48-4.
The documents were provided to The Intercept by a source within the US intelligence community who wished to remain anonymous because of the government’s aggressive prosecution of whistleblowers. He says the American public has the right to know about the process by which people are placed on kill lists and assassinated on orders from US government officials.”
https://www.rt.com/usa/318767-obama-drones-papers-leak/
onlooker on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 6:13 pm
Here is a link to Noam Chomsky characterizing US drone campaign as “As world’s biggest terrorist action”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oedvLjaIwM
JuanP on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 7:00 pm
This is an interesting article.
Do the Russians at this point in time want a frozen conflict in Syria that would prevent the construction of any gas pipelines to Europe? Sounds like an interesting idea. These pipelines would provide more alternatives to Russian gas exports to Europe. I would think they would consider this.
The Russians can also use Syria as a distraction in their conflict with the West. Is anyone talking about or fighting a lot in Ukraine now? It is better or the Russians to fight the West in Syria than in Ukraine. And it is also better for Russia to kill the terrorists where they are now, rather than wait for them to go to Russia.
Right now, Russia needs to buy time and fighting for Assad in Syria against the terrorists is in Russia’s best interests at this time, IMO.
GregT on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 7:41 pm
JuanP,
Did you ever consider that perhaps this was the real reason for overthrowing the Ukrainian government and attempting to overthrow the Assad regime?
If Syria doesn’t want a pipeline, is it OK to bomb the country into submission? Or should they be allowed make decisions as to what occurs within their own borders?
Just a thought.
GregT on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 7:55 pm
Obama speaking to the EU in Brussels Mar 26 2014. Two months before Poroshenko was installed, and 4 months before flight MH17 was shot down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5zP81xfDU
makati1 on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:01 pm
As usual, there are multiple reasons for this action by Russia:
1. Keep their Navy base at Tartus, Syria.
2. Keep Assad in power, at least until he can be replaced by the Syrian people, not the US.
3. Block any new pipelines to Europe through Syria.
4. Destroy ISIS before it can move north into Russia’s area of influence to cause trouble.
5. Did I miss any?
makati1 on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:02 pm
BTW Zoidberger, the US is not being stopped by a play acted “budget stall” in the US. It is stopped because Russia basically told the US, with 26 Cruise missiles, to get out and stay out of Syria. The US is a paper tiger with no real teeth or desire to do anything but cause chaos anywhere they cannot control.
Davy on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:03 pm
Yea, Juan, sounds good but the cost are going to be huge. Open ended conflicts are a poor choice unless Putin sees the endgame ahead or he is chosing an endgame. Oil prices will likely never again stabilize positively for Russia that means a steady economic decline. Russia is a small country relative to the other large powers and the EU. Russia can gamble and maybe win but it can’t make mistakes for very long.
zoidberg on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:27 pm
Well makater, I’d say the fighter jets they sent with their bombers and the aggressive intercepts are the deterrent. Anti ship missiles are also hard to defend against.
Cruise missiles though…good to send where planes aren’t. I dunno if theyre good antiship weapons or they’d have enough to damage us gulf installations seriously. I’d bet not.
US finances aren’t a play act though. The Pentagon requires immense funding and without petrodollar recycling or a China bid for bonds it’s not clear what the plan is. At any rate this isn’t a good thread for speculation about it.
GregT on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:28 pm
All of our economies are going down the tubes Davy, and when the dust settles, the only thing of importance will be who has enough oil remaining. That is the endgame.
Davy on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:38 pm
Nope, Greg, food is the endgame. I might add oil needs an economy to be pumped and used.
GregT on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 8:47 pm
Our food production here in North America requires oil Davy. Maybe we are talking about two different endgames here? Ends of nations, and ends of societies. I see one happening before the other, and I don’t see them happening at the same time everywhere around the world. It all boils down to energy available per capita. Energy is what fuels economies, not the other way around.
dooma on Thu, 15th Oct 2015 11:57 pm
The resource war that all peak oiler’s knew would happen, is happening RIGHT now. MSM will continue to pump out crap like maintaining freedom, stopping dictators and fighting terrorism.
Just a bit off topic, why is it that Iran cannot have nuclear missiles while Israel refuses to sign any proliferation treaty and is very secretive about it’s arsenal.
If an unstable country like Pakistan can have them, then why not a country rich in the precious resource of oil?
Surely they have a right to protect their assets, derive power from uranium or both?
Kevin Cobley on Fri, 16th Oct 2015 12:40 am
Iran directly borders Turkey as does Iraq, no pipelines need to go anywhere near Syria.
It would be better for Iran and Iraq to directly pipe through Turkey.
Qatar could build an undersea pie into Iran or Iraq.
Reza Tavakolian on Fri, 16th Oct 2015 2:05 am
By Reza Tavakolian
On 18/4/ 2014 I wrote the following analysis on the same subject. My analysis proved to be correct and to the point.
I WROTE.
THIS IS THE REAL REASON THE SO CALLED ISLAMIC TERRORISTS INVADED THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICAN NATIONS. MOST OF IT IS ABOUT OIL AND GAS AND WHO WILL CONTROL IT.
Sean wrote the following comment which partially I support and my analysis on the Middle Eastern oil and gas resources and political reality follows:
He wrote
Vladimir Putin is absolutely correct. Now the real story behind the Syrian conflict may be told. The Saudis and Qatar wanted to build a natural gas pipeline from that region ending at the Med in Syria. Russia didn’t want the competition so they told Assad not to allow it in his country in exchange for military and other aid. Obama uses the chemical “attacks” as a possible pretext to overthrow Assad and have him replace with a Sunni administration favorable to the Saudi and presumably rich American energy corporations. The Russians called our bluff and now they are doing what they want in the Ukraine.
MY ANALYSIS AND RESPONS
You are partially correct. However it was most about QATAR GAS EXPORT AND NOT THE SAUDI. For Saudi it is more political not economical consideration . Saudi do not have natural gas for export and currently exporting crude oil at their maximum capacity. But also you failed to talk about the Libyan government and the Libyan nation which sacrificed in this Zionist backed plan for the regime change in the Middle East. Zionist plan was to export Qatari natural gas through Iraq and Syria to Libya and from their to Spain and Italy and the rest of the Europe. You also forgot the other most important player and that is Iran which after Russia is the second source of natural gas and third source of the crude oil in the world. Iran currently have a pipeline through Turkey which partially used but have much more export capacity and can supply Europe in the Black sea. Iran also building another pipeline to Syria through Iraq and have political / Economic control over Iraq and Syria. Iran will do what ever necessary to protect its natural gas European market which is about 400 Billion Dollars annually and defeat the Qatari/ Zionist backed terrorists such as ISIS plans to gain control over gas pipeline territories in Iraq and Syria. Iran will be the next supplier of oil and specially natural gas to Europe. Iran not competing with Russia instead adopted a close political / Economic relation with Russia. Iranian closing rank with Russia because of the misguided European policy influenced by Zionist lobby in the west and the formal sanctions against Iran in support of IsraHell. Iranian people forced to dislike the west because of western sanctions in support of IsraHell and mistreatment by the European nations. Iran and Russia now coordinating their policy on the supply of natural gas to Europe and the world in general. Russia and Iran at least for the next decade control the supply of the world oil and gas resources. It is not a coincident that Russia suddenly interested in Iranian crude oil and currently negotiating with Iran to barter at least 600’000 barrel of crude oil each day. Russia is trying to confront the Zionist plan and effectively monopolize the oil and gas market. The misguided western sanction policy in support of IsraHell placed the Iranian crude oil in the hands of Russia. Iranian will be exporting the oil on the behalf of Russia. In other word Russian partially managing the Iranian crude oil export. Following the IsraHelli and Zionist Middle Eastern plan was the biggest European mistake and miscalculation. Europe in few years will be forced to get on their knees if they want to survive in the next decade. Saudi do not have the natural gas and exporting crude oil at their maximum capacity and with current exporting level they only exporting oil for the next 15 years and then they only be able to export sand and salt . On the other hand the Qatari LNG export to Europe at its max only supply a small portion of the European current 468 bcm of natural gas needs. U.S. currently importing around million barrel of crude oil every day and can not do anything to help Europe. Russia and Iran will be on the winning seats. NOTHING WEST CAN DO TO CHANGE THAT REALITY. It is hard to believe BUT ZIONISTS AND NEO-CON PLANNED THE WAR IN IRAQ, SYRIA AND LIBYA AND THE TERRORISTS INVASION OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. Zionists control media portrayed their master plan for the division of the Middle East as ARAB SPRING REVOLUTION. Iraqi general paid not to resist the ISIS terrorist invasion of Iraq. The IsraHelli and the rest of Zionists now buying the land and properties of those displaced Kurdish people in northern Iraq. Remember the PALISTINE before 1948. The Zionist now invading the Kurdish area. By the way under those land there is a lot of OIL and is very close to the Iranian border. This is just a part of the Zionist and Neo-Con master plan. Other part of this master plan involves the Eastern Europe and Ukraine. Zionists and / Neo-Con wanted to cutoff the Russian supply of natural gas to Europe and replace it with Qatari natural gas pipeline that they control. The western managed coup and subsequent war in Ukraine effectively cutting off the supply of the Russian natural gas to Europe which mainly goes through Ukraine. The plan was the replacement of the European distend Russian oil and specially natural gas with the QATARI NATURAL GAS from the southern part of Persian Gulf through Iraqi, Syrian, and Libyan territory to Spain and the E.U. main existing distribution gas pipeline. And to Turkey main pipeline to Greece and the rest of the Europe. THAT IS THE MAIN REASON TURKISH GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING THE SO CALLED JEHADI TERRORISTS SUCH AS ISIS backed by Qatar and IsraHell.. THE WAR IN IRAQ, SYRIA , AND LIBYA PLANNED BECAUSE THE ZIONISTS WANTED TO CONTROL THOSE TERRITORY FOR THE GAS PIPELINE AND OTHER GEO/ ECONOMIC AMBITIONS. The Europe energy consumption worth over 500 Billion dollars each year and in the past Russia provided 60 percent of Europe natural gas consumption. The Western /Zionists coup in Ukraine forcing Russia to cut off the natural gas export to Europe through Ukraine and other Eastern European countries and now Russian have plan to build a main pipeline to Turkey known as Black Sea pipeline TURKISH STREAM and then to Greece and the rest of the E.U. But that takes time to be build if ever. Zionists will do anything in their power to prevent that gas pipeline to Europe. By the way U.S. naval presence and the show of force in the Persian Gulf off the Iranian shore is a military intimidation in support of Zionist master plan and contrary to common believe is not against the ISIS terrorists but is in support of ISIS terrorists which CIA trained few years ago in Jordan and Turkey. All U.S. and its so called Arab allies actively supporting the ISIS and other terrorists in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen. U.S. air force claim that they are bombing the terrorists is nothing but lies. To stop the Zionist/ Neo-Con plan the Iranian military now with Russian support effectively confronting and neutralizing those Zionists/ Neo-Cons backed terrorists in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY OR BIG PART OF IT.
GregT on Fri, 16th Oct 2015 2:19 am
Where are you from Reza, if you don’t mind me asking. Your summary matches my conclusions almost to a T.
makati1 on Fri, 16th Oct 2015 5:30 am
http://qz.com/521110/americans-are-increasingly-dependent-on-just-two-crops-and-its-putting-us-all-at-risk/
Two crops relying on oil products and GMO poisons to exist in the Us.
“Corn and soy are in nearly every meal that Americans eat. From high-fructose corn syrup sweetening sodas to soy-based livestock feed transformed into steaks and nuggets, a few major crops dominate the US food chain. Now, new research highlights just how worrisome this trend is for the country’s food security.”
Davy on Fri, 16th Oct 2015 6:14 am
Asia is relying on just a few crops and importing what they can’t produce dog paw. Get a grip your 4.5Bil brothers can’t feed yourselves.
http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu03pe/uu03pe0c.htm
http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx
http://worldpopulationreview.com/continents/asia-population/
http://focusweb.org/content/right-food-and-food-security-philippines-what-numbers-say
http://www.esp.org.ph/EnvironmentUpdates.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/02/02/map-if-the-size-of-countries-reflected-their-populations/
rockman on Fri, 16th Oct 2015 7:53 am
Yes: very interesting topic of moving ME NG towards Europe. But as a side note they apparently are clueless about the same movement of oil:
The project for an oil pipeline from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean commenced after the extended closure of the Suez Canal in June 1967. Establishment of the pipeline company was agreed in 1973 between five Arab governments. The Sumed pipeline was opened in 1977.
The Sumed pipeline is 200 miles long. It consists of two parallel lines of 42 inches diameter. Its capacity is 2.5 million barrels per day.
The pipeline is owned by the Arab Petroleum Pipeline Company/Sumed Company, a joint venture of EGPC (50%, Egypt), Saudi Aramco (15%, Saudi Arabia), IPIC (15%, the United Arab Emirates), three Kuwaiti companies (each of 5%), and QGPC (5%, Qatar).
An extension of the Sumed is being considered. The proposed extension would traverse the Red Sea from Ain Sukhna to the Saudi coast near Sharm al Sheikh, and from there to the terminal of Saudi Arabia’s main east-west pipeline in Yanbu.
apneaman on Sat, 17th Oct 2015 2:04 pm
There’s a whole bunch of natgas on the way and it won’t cost you a dollar, but you’re still gonna pay.
Climate change: Why methane gas is leaking from the ocean floor
Researchers suggest warming oceans maybe releasing giant plumes of harmful methane that fuel climate change. What is the US doing to deal with methane?
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/1017/Climate-change-Why-methane-gas-is-leaking-from-the-ocean-floor
apneaman on Sat, 17th Oct 2015 3:42 pm
Is Human Warming Prodding A Sleeping Methane Monster off Oregon’s Coast?
“For all around the world, and beneath the broad, blue expanse of the world’s seas, rest billions and billions of tons of frozen methane hydrate.
A kind of methane and ice combination, frozen hydrate is one of the world’s most effective natural methods of trapping and sequestering carbon. Over long ages, organic material at the bottom of the oceans decompose into hydrocarbons, often breaking down into methane gas. At high pressure and low temperature, this methane gas can be locked away in a frozen water-ice hydrate lattice, which is then often buried beneath the sea bed where it can safely remain for thousands or even millions of years.”
“In total about 168 methane plumes are now observed to be bubbling out of the sea bed off the Washington and Oregon coasts. Of these, 14 are located in the 500 meter depth range where ocean warming has pushed temperatures to levels at which hydrate could begin to destabilize. University of Washington researchers noted that the number of plumes at this depth range was disproportionately high, which also served as an indirect indicator that human heating may be causing this methane to release.”
“Slope Collapse, Conditions in Context
A final risk associated with methane hydrate destabilization in the continental slope zone is an increased prevalence of potential slope collapse. As methane hydrate releases, it can deform the sea bed structures within slope systems. Such systems become less stable, increasing the potential for large underwater landslides. Not only could these large landslides displace significant volumes of water or even set off tsunamis, slope collapse events also risk uncovering and exposing more hydrate systems to the warming ocean in a kind of amplifying feedback.
In context, the total volume of methane being released into the off-shore environment is currently estimated to be about 0.1 million metric tons each year. That’s about the same rate of hydrocarbon release seen from the Deepwater Horizon blowout. A locally large release but still rather small in size compared to the whopping 10+ billion tons of carbon being dumped into the atmosphere each year through human fossil fuel burning. However, this release is widespread, uncontrolled, un-cappable and, if scientists are correct in their indications of a human warming influence, likely to continue to increase as the oceans warm further.”
http://robertscribbler.com/2015/10/16/is-human-warming-prodding-a-sleeping-methane-monster-off-oregons-coast/