OT: Any recent info. on Soviet oil, metals export changes?

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I've been asking myself what else besides the refineries problems and apparently-emerging Saudi port and pipeline problems may arise to put yet more pressure on oil supplies, or on this whole bubble economy in general.

What I am asking here is if anyone has recent info. regardng Soviet exports of natural gas, oil, or precious metals. Any recent major pattern changes, with data supporting comparing very recent vs. 1 or 2 years back would also be much more meaningful.

Besides considering this aspect of global oil supplies, where I'm going with this is also to consider what major changes in oil and especially precious (non-ferrous) metals might mean vis-a-vis Soviet (and Chinese) near-term military preparedness.

Recently we've seen several posts regarding the Russians, their y2k status, Putin, and so on.

In WorldNetDaily, in November 1999, the columnist J.R. Nyquist wrote several columns regarding strategic moves by the Soviets. The 11-15-99 column "Surprise Missle Attack, Part II" speaks to a number of indicators of major strategic preparations. The 11-18-99 column "Russia's Strategic Moves And What They Portend" speaks to preparations for strategic moves. Quoting that 11-18-99 column in part, "According to the Russian text, Soviet Military Strategy, "The preparation of industry to operate in wartime conditions constitutes the most important part of the entire preparation of the country's economy.""

Nyquist's articles can be tracked down by referring to the following index page on WND: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/cgi-bin/htsearch?config=archive&words=xcjny&search_results_wrapper=/usr/home/wnd/htdig/common/archive_nyquist.html&page=1

If, as Stratfor's bio of Putin seems to suggest, Putin was a key player in the maskirovka playing out which starting before the Berlin Wall came down, then something else that Soviet general staff are taught appears pertinent. Quoting from Nyquist's 11-15-99 column, "... the Russian generals are taught that war preparations follow three main lines: 1) preparation of the armed forces, 2) preparation of the national economy and 3) preparation of the population.

I guess this whole monologue can be summarized as my wondering what else is approaching just over the (event) horizon.

Oh, and if any of you can point me to how to create a hotlink in these posts and responses, I'd be quite grateful.

-- Redeye in Ohio (cannot@work.com), January 20, 2000

Answers

Russia is a major producer of platinum. I notice that platinum peaked at almost $450 an ounce last night, up about $100 an ounce from its low this past summer.



-- (@ .), January 20, 2000.


Russian Distillate Exports

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), January 20, 2000.

@, your chart was most interesting. Thanks!

Does anyone have a source indicating whether the Soviet's precious metals exports have changed significantly in that same time range?

Regarding kero and crude, it strikes me that the Soviets were very large natural gas suppliers to Eastern and Western Europe. Seems like it would be much morecostly to stockpile NG or LNG than crude, even in the ground or in pipeline segments. Any information or links to data on their exports of these materials?

-- Redeye in Ohio (cannot@work.com), January 20, 2000.


hummmmmm! Downstreamer- seems by the chart you posted there that it took a definately `upward` tur right about the time ole` mr. putin came into the office of prime minister!!!!......coincedence?

-- mutter (murmur@ya.com), January 20, 2000.

The Russians don't store NG. They just pump it down the pipeline to Europe. Liquifing the natural gas is the only way to store it. The Russians can't afford it- you are correct, very expensive.

Formerly I had some great contacts in Moscow. I worked for the Hermes Group when they became the first Russian (oil) company to buy a seat on a US commodity exchange. Their payables, my wages and my relationship with them went south with the '98 ruble crisis. But I still have some good Russian contacts in the US. I'll do some checking but all Russian exports are so mafia controlled, info is always scant...

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), January 20, 2000.



Downstreamer, I've seen some interesting logic supporting the idea that much of organize crime in Russia is controlled or directed by the KGB and now, by it's successor(s). Especially via-a-vis narcotics exports to Western nations. Might you have any input on this hypothesis?

-- Redeye in Ohio (cannot@work.com), January 20, 2000.

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