I’m doing lots on Iran (natch), quite a bit on Iraq and turning back to Libya again.
On Iran, I’d like to get some nuts and bolts — sorely missing in much mainstream coverage — about actual shipments and cargoes now. I’ve got good information about how Iran’s discounts system is working. In short, it’s keeping Asian buyers sweet at a cost of about $1.20 per barrel per month. The method is a little more complex than that… But I’ve also got contradictory information about the White House’s effort, now that it has realised the potential impact of them, to minimise the sanctions. I’m reliably told it wants a 25% drop in volumes, which is hardly earth shattering. (That said, Iran’s at the table to negotiate, or may be soon, so it might be working.)
On Iraq, the piece is done. But all information on Iraq is gratefully received.
On Libya, well, I’d really like to get there again. Failing that, I’m working on a wider story or two. One, naturally, is about Cyrenaica and will ask whether Libya is going to fall apart. The other one remains: where is the oil money going?
Please get in touch.
