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U.S. Opposes Creation of Gas OPEC
U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman has opposed the idea of creating a gas cartel of OPEC’s type during the Houston energy conference.
According to Bodman, Washington views the gas cartel idea as an attempt to manipulate markets by arranging supplies. This attempt will hardly be beneficial for suppliers in the long-term prospects, the U.S. energy secretary warned.
Bodman’s rhetoric was probably the response to Putin’s statement made in Qatar. Moscow is ready to study the idea of setting up a gas cartel of OPEC’s type, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said during his official tour to that country. Unlike Bodman, Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani found Putin’s suggestion rather interesting.
Russia and Qatar are the world biggest producers of gas. Driven by growing demand for energy supplies, the gas share in the U.S. imports has been continuously expanding in the recent years.
It is worth mentioning that creation of some gas cartel was spearheaded by Iran and the idea enjoys the support of Venezuela and Bolivia. Bolivia is the biggest gas exporter of South America, while Venezuela is thought the most influential member of OPEC.
www.kommersant.com
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