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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Oil States versus Fracking

The pro-fracking documentary Fracknation briefly discusses Russia's desire to prevent other nations from fracking so they will still buy Russian oil and natural gas.  I have avoided discussing this aspect of the fracking debate because of the little knowledge I have on the subject.  However, as time passes and I research more the more likely it seems that oil states are pushing anti-fracking agendas in other countries not out of an environmental motive but due to oil money motivates.

There is some evidence that Bulgaria banned fracking due to Russian pressure.  While Poland also banned fracking, also due to alleged Russian pressure, Russia itself is engaging in fracking in order to increase profits.  Elsewhere in Eastern Europe Chevron is launching a pro-fracking campaign with the message fracking can lead to energy independence from Russia's energy geopolitics which have repeatedly plagued Europe from the mid-2000s.

Recently Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal stated fracking was a threat to Saudi Arabia.  While Saudi Arabia has not been shown to be engaging in anti-fracking activities, neighboring oil state United Arab Emirates has.  Matt Damon's anti-fracking movie Promised Land was funded in part an arm of the government of Abu Dhabi.

Some environmentalists worry about big business' desire to exploit resources.  However, we should also be aware of even bigger political-economic bodies pretending to be environmentalists while only desiring profits for themselves.

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