Energy Blast - October 13, 2009

TNK-BP is on the lookout for oil and gas production projects in Iraq as the country builds up to its second round of international bidding.  A piece in the New York Times examines how the Nord Stream pipeline could reinforce Russia's dominance over its neighbors and re-establish a divide between eastern and western Europe.  EDF has denied claims that it is dispatching radioactive waste to Russia, but rather is sending 'spent nuclear fuel that needs to be reprocessed'.  A gas deal with China would be good news for Gazprom shares, says Bloomberg.  Beijing may look to invest in oil in the Western African states of Ghana and Guinea to help build up its economy and increase energy security.  The Moscow Times reports that the government intends to begin operating a long-term power capacity market in 2011.  Russia may slash its crude oil export duty as much as 5% on November 1 after prices fell.  Italy's Enel Spa is prepared to postpone a decision on selling its stake in its renewable energy business until 2010, having taken debt-reducing measures.