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Nothing heals like extra heavy Azeri crude. So says spa owner Alif Zulfugar: “Naftalan (oil) is too heavy for the industry,” Zulfugar explains, “it is used only for healing purposes. It is untreated and comes directly from the source into our tankers and then into our basins.”

And surprisingly, it isn't that expensive. A full 10-day treatment cycle only costs $420. Talk about the advantages of $70 a barrel oil. CSM has a full review here.
 
Nabucco Rides On 07/13/2009
 

On Monday representatives from Turkey, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania signed a transit agreement in Ankara. 

The move represents a small but important step forward for the Nabucco project. Infighting over the preceding months had all but doomed the pipeline. But Azerbaijan's recent agreement with Russia forced Turkey to abandon its harsh negotiating position, effectively ending the deadlock. 

What the Nabucco nations must do now is build on this momentum. Both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have recently reaffirmed their interest in the project. It is essential that Nabucco get firm commitments from these countries within the next few months to capitalize on Gazprom's overextension.

 
Nabucco Update 07/08/2009
 
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Pipeline or Opera?

Despite the best efforts of Russia and its allies in Europe to sink the proposed pipeline and a very lame effort by Turkey and the rest of Europe to keep it alive, somehow the  Nabucco project marches on in what can best be described as a geopolitical war of attrition.

More after the jump -->

 
Baku T-2 Months 06/05/2009
 
I can't wait. Special thanks to the man, the legend, the pride of Χίος, Dimitri Lemos for the link.
 
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