Cyprus-Forum.com

[Hermes]

it is more a case of Oil Companies bidding for the plots. It is not in actual fact the US, Israel, Russia, and France, but corporations such as Noble, Shell, BP etc

Nations get involved when their economic interests are jeopardised.

Are you saying that political interests aren't a consideration in which companies get plots? And the fact that the UK, by the looks of it, is last in the queue for a plot isn't some sort of payback? I think Cap-t Jack has been at the rum again...

[pvte witt]

Are you saying that political interests aren't a consideration in which companies get plots? And the fact that the UK, by the looks of it, is last in the queue for a plot isn't some sort of payback? I think Cap-t Jack has been at the rum again...

It would make good commercial sense to license brit companies to extract the resources, as there is an ecosystem of brit companies with vast experience extracting off-shore oil & gas in difficult conditions. Offshore oil & gas extraction is anything but easy, and the licensor typically does not get paid (much) until the resources are successfully extracted, so there is a vested interest in licensing companies who are likely to succeed in the venture.

It would also make poor political sense to deny brit companies for political reasons, because those clever brit fuckers will find a way to make the RoC pay if they feel they have been hard done by.

[Capt J Sparrow]

it is more a case of Oil Companies bidding for the plots. It is not in actual fact the US, Israel, Russia, and France, but corporations such as Noble, Shell, BP etc

Nations get involved when their economic interests are jeopardised.

Are you saying that political interests aren't a consideration in which companies get plots? And the fact that the UK, by the looks of it, is last in the queue for a plot isn't some sort of payback? I think Cap-t Jack has been at the rum again...

No of course not. political interests are always a factor, but probably not so for corporations like Shell etc. Although, I am not so sure about Noble and Delek, which are US/Israeli firms.

The biggest underlying factor are commercial interests, then, these commercial interests become political concerns for their respective countries.

[Hermes]

Are you saying that political interests aren't a consideration in which companies get plots? And the fact that the UK, by the looks of it, is last in the queue for a plot isn't some sort of payback? I think Cap-t Jack has been at the rum again...

It would make good commercial sense to license brit companies to extract the resources, as there is an ecosystem of brit companies with vast experience extracting off-shore oil & gas in difficult conditions. Offshore oil & gas extraction is anything but easy, and the licensor typically does not get paid (much) until the resources are successfully extracted, so there is a vested interest in licensing companies who are likely to succeed in the venture.

It would also make poor political sense to deny brit companies for political reasons, because those clever brit fuckers will find a way to make the RoC pay if they feel they have been hard done by.

I agree. Just wondering why France and Russia appear to be at the head of the queue given UK companies' experience in the North Sea. Plenty of blocks to go round so things might change for sure.

[pvte witt]

Are you saying that political interests aren't a consideration in which companies get plots? And the fact that the UK, by the looks of it, is last in the queue for a plot isn't some sort of payback? I think Cap-t Jack has been at the rum again...

It would make good commercial sense to license brit companies to extract the resources, as there is an ecosystem of brit companies with vast experience extracting off-shore oil & gas in difficult conditions. Offshore oil & gas extraction is anything but easy, and the licensor typically does not get paid (much) until the resources are successfully extracted, so there is a vested interest in licensing companies who are likely to succeed in the venture.

It would also make poor political sense to deny brit companies for political reasons, because those clever brit fuckers will find a way to make the RoC pay if they feel they have been hard done by.

I agree. Just wondering why France and Russia appear to be at the head of the queue given UK companies' experience in the North Sea. Plenty of blocks to go round so things might change for sure.

Militarily, France is at least as much a Mediterranean power as the UK, politically they are arguably the most closely aligned permanent security council member to the RoC, but unfortunately less closely aligned to the US than the Brits. France also has a national oil champion (Total), and so would be well placed to succeed commercially.

Why anyone would invite the Russians, who have repeatedly shown their rabid dog characteristics in eviscerating small nations in their near abroad, is beyond me.

[Hermes]

Why anyone would invite the Russians, who have repeatedly shown their rabid dog characteristics in eviscerating small nations in their near abroad, is beyond me.

Could be the question of a multi-billion euro loan, sizeable Russian investments and Pres. Christofias predilection for all things Russian. It's a fine balancing act for sure to keep all the members of the UN Security Council sweet.

[pvte witt]

Why anyone would invite the Russians, who have repeatedly shown their rabid dog characteristics in eviscerating small nations in their near abroad, is beyond me.

Could be the question of a multi-billion euro loan, sizeable Russian investments and Pres. Christofias predilection for all things Russian. It's a fine balancing act for sure to keep all the members of the UN Security Council sweet.

I have nfi as to what the political calculation was in seeking Russian money. What I do know is that nothing good could possibly come from it.

[Get Real!]

Militarily, France is at least as much a Mediterranean power as the UK,...

Correction, France is militarily head & shoulders above Britain.

[Capt J Sparrow]

Militarily, France is at least as much a Mediterranean power as the UK,...

Correction, France is militarily head & shoulders above Britain.

Only problem is that French tanks have 6 gears. 5 reverse and 1 forward....

Q: What do you call a French man killed defending his country?
A: I don't know either, its never happened!

[Get Real!]

Militarily, France is at least as much a Mediterranean power as the UK,...

Correction, France is militarily head & shoulders above Britain.

Only problem is that French tanks have 6 gears. 5 reverse and 1 forward....

Q: What do you call a French man killed defending his country?
A: I don't know either, its never happened!

Yeah sure… tell that to a French Legionnaire’s face… he’ll tie you into a knot!