You bring new detail to the fore there. If that’s the case, Muscat risks being sidelined.

The only thing he can really sell is our territorial waters, particularly Hurds Bank, locating the terminal as close to North Africa, shortening shipping distances, as possible.

Not to mention making use of Gonzi’s double acquisition of EU funding to link island states to the continental gas infrastructure and Malta’s newfound relations with Libya, especially Benghazi. Those two should at least bring in money into the tripartite dealing. The pipeline funded, direction of flow reversed once the dealing’s done and terminal’s in place, and everyone’s a happy bunny, EU funding top brass included.

I don’t see that, could be Muscat’s inferiority complex at work, forcing him to reinvent the wheel to have gone one better perforce.

I mean, it’s not as if Aliyev’s guaranteed to remain there for another 18 years is he? And he’s rather miffed at the EU.

Ok, so Italian prime ministers come by the dozen a decade, but maintaining a common agenda with our physical contact should be a priority.

Muscat can’t lose perspective and think he’s Aliyev on this one, he isn’t. When Mintoff tried same, Saipem got sent back, and our gunboats refused to take orders obeying the colonel instead. Call it Labour’s tendency to lose perspective and start thinking big, very big.

Clarity derived from a mental centre of gravity required, not hidden agendas mostly due the lack of, please.

Thank you for the information and perspective.

My thinking is that oil and gas development is all about alliances.

Have there been any assurances from the EU about not supporting Aliyev’s regime?

Socar is linked with Gasol in our power station supply.

Gasol is already a client of Edison’s.

In this example it is as a research client:

http://www.gasolplc.com/media/16995/edison_research_note_oct12.pdf

Could we be seeing a situation whereby the “Malta” Socar and Gasol alliance has additional projects already with the assurances it requires from Edison or for EU entry?

What are the specific benefits, in your opinion, for Socar of its pipeline ending up “South of Italy?”

Good point, Tabatha.

What remains to be seen is whether the EU’s willing to pour funds to this Aliyev to execute the stategy. I think not. Even because Italy being one of the countries with major experience in gas infrastructure won’t have anyone interfering with her relations with Qatar, Britain with ExxonMobil and their plans for the terminals planned in her territorial waters temptingly close to Malta. .

With gas, economies of scale, pumping as opposed to shipping amount for 90% of its cost. Capabilities become key. Azerbaijan doesn’t have the capability nor the expertees.

The PN was negotiating locating one of these floating cities in our waters, greatly reducing shipping distances and hence latching onto the spinoffs.

If Muscat thinks he can go to the EU and bulldoze his way with Aliyev’s gas, he still can’t bypass Italy. Even because they’re far ahead in technology and capability. The fact these terminals have major regasifying capability means they can pump the amounts in vast, read, cheaper, quantities. The new limit becomes storage, but that’s offset by regasifying capability.

The one outlined below can process 8 billion cubic meters a year, 10% of Italy’s demand.

In fact Muscat placed some more emphasis on the pipeline this morning. He had mentioned it in passing before the election. So he thinks he can go there and negotiate Aliyev’s interests. Problem is Aliyev cannot offer the same package Qatar’s doing, even because his tendency to grab the money and run ruins his chances.

And what happens then? We’ll be isolated, literally.

http://www.edison.it/en/company/gas-infrastructures/adriatic-lng-terminal.shtml

Here’s a couple of Italians munching through their English sales script. You’ll notice system engineering is geared towards volumetric supply into the pipeline, not storage, everyone can do that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KOrfB2kT7k

http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/2246228.html

Since it’s likely to be Coleiro Preca, her first hand publicity stunt with the retired soap dish issue was a good measure. The person at the receiving end of the staged rant was sent to coventry by her and “no longer works there.”

Jozef,

When the Socar pipeline does arrive at “South of Italy” in five years’ time, is the EU going to refuse it or will Joseph Muscat have not only placed the bets but helped manufacture the chips on the EU energy game table?

At least they belong to friends and allies. Probably on their way to Saudi Arabia or Oman.

We are certainly back to the ‘mhux fl-interess tal-poplu’ days, never mind the fact that public buildings and public funds are being used to wine, dine and score a few points with those of ill repute.

But then what can one expect from those whose definition of talent is having money?

Very worrying indeed. What’s going on behind our backs?