A recent security audit[pdf] of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has exposed serious shortcomings in the TSA’s efforts to protect the US pipeline system for oil and gas. The report shows that both the physical security and cybersecurity of this critical system, which

The Belarusian and Russian presidents have been locked in meetings over several days in recent months, prompting rumors that the two countries are exploring deals that could see Belarus fall under the control, directly or indirectly, of Russia. Relations between Russia and Belarus have remained closer than most former soviet

The Iranian Oil Minister has announced the discovery of oil deposits in its southwestern province bordering Iraq for the first time. The estimated size of the deposit has not been shared, but it comes at a time of U.S. sanctions that have created difficulties for Iranian oil exports. The U.S.

The national problem of fuel theft was highlighted in Mexico over the weekend as at least 73 people died as the result of an explosion caused by illegal taps into a pipeline on Friday night. This kind of theft results in over $3 billion USD in losses and per year,

“Qatar said on Monday it was quitting OPEC from January to focus on its gas ambitions, taking a swipe at the group’s de facto leader Saudi Arabia and marring efforts to show unity before this week’s meeting of exporters to tackle an oil price slide. Doha, one of OPEC’s smallest

The Venezuelan economy contracted by an estimated -10.6% in 2017 and -12.6% in 2018, according to forecasts by Fitch Solutions. In 2019, GDP is projected to shrink by -13.9%. Having looked to Russia and China for economic support in the midst of the crisis, Venezuela’s CITGO is now largely dominated

“Much production is in volatile regions, and it comes as little surprise that production and trade in crude oil and refined petroleum products have produced a flourishing illicit market that presents socioeconomic, geopolitical, and environmental challenges, including deterioration of the rule of law. Oil is still the world’s leading energy

“Iran’s oil tankers are starting to disappear from global satellite tracking systems with just under six weeks to go until U.S. sanctions are due to hit the country’s exports, making it harder to keep track of the nation’s sales. No signals have been received by shore stations or satellites from

According to a recent Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) report, the U.S. spends around $81 billion per year in protecting the movement of oil supplies around the world, which it calls a “very conservative” estimate that does not include the full cost of oil-related military operations. The estimate argues that

Venezuelan leaders are visiting China as part of efforts to renegotiate existing investments and pursue additional funding for the country dealing with a collapsed currency and economy. Over ten years, China invested over $50 billion in the country through oil-for-loan deals that benefited China through oil supply and the creation