Look at the list at the bottom of the stories I've posted below. Of the top 5 oil importers to America, 3 could be problematic if Iran is invaded. Of our top 5 suppliers only Saudi Arabia is in the Middle East and they've already given their blessings to an invasion of Iran. Canada will go with us. Mexico will probably keep on supplying to us because they need the money and they don't need any more trouble. And if they get some crazy idea about shutting us off, well, with troops and ships in Costa Rica, we've got 'em surrounded.
Venezuela and Nigeria, on the other hand, could be problems. China is partnering with Chavez and trying to buy into BP, giving them substantial control over companies and countries that we rely on for our energy and Nigeria is unstable. So what are we doing? Putting ships and troops on Venezuelas doorstep and talking of invading Nigeria (the American government denies this).
Is it possible that the ships and troops authorized to use Costa Rican waters and land may be part of an invasion force to overthrow Chavez and secure oil supplies in case of war with Iran?
And if this happens, will Petrobras take over the drilling?
I don't know; I'm just thinking out loud here.
I appreciate any ideas you guys can throw my way. Something is up, I just don't know what.
"Chinese oil giant PetroChina would “welcome” closer ties with BP as the company continues to grapple with the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, The Financial Times reported.
Mao Zefeng, PetroChina head of investor relations, told the Financial Times that the company’s initial reaction to BP’s problems in the Gulf of Mexico was to see how it could “help BP to quickly fix the problem”.
“We contacted them to see if there is anything we can help with in terms of engineering or technical help,” Mao told the paper.
The comments come at a time when Chinese energy companies are spending billions on overseas acquisitions."
New York Times
"Venezuela and China gave a new boost to their thriving economic ties Tuesday, signing a package of agreements that advances China strategy of locking in access to the South American country's vast oil reserves.
After two days of talks in Caracas, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation will help the government of President Hugo Chavez develop the Boyaca 3 oil block in the Orinoco-belt, a large heavy-crude basin in Eastern Venezuela.
The move is part of Venezuela's efforts to increase oil sales to China to 1 million barrels per day from the 400,000 barrels per day it says it currently supplies. Under Chavez, Venezuela has tried to curb oil exports to the U.S. and searched for new markets. Despite his efforts, the U.S. remains the main destination for Venezuela oil, with sales averaging around 1 million barrels per day.
The China National Petroleum Corporation also moved forward by securing access to another oil block in the Orinoco region that could eventually produce 400,000 barrels of oil per day."
Wall Street Journal December 23, 2009
"President Barack Obama is preparing American troops for a special intervention in Nigeria, in the event of a widespread chaos that could threaten oil production, a top brass in the U.S. army and a security expert have revealed.
According to the Commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General William Ward, American troops have been placed on red alert as the government is monitoring the political situation in Africa’s most populous nation.
Daniel Volman, Director of the U.S-based Africa Security Research Project, added that a growing U.S. need for natural resources was one of the main reasons the Defence Department developed AFRICOM, in the light of instability in places such as oil-rich Nigeria."
Nigerian Compass
TOP 5 IMPORTERS OF OIL TO AMERICA APRIL 2010
(Thousands of barrels per day)
CANADA 1,883
SAUDI ARABIA 1,245
MEXICO 1,134
NIGERIA 1,092
VENEZUELA 851
U.S. Energy Information Administration
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