The Politics of Pipelines

If the two countries cannot reach an agreement before the current agreement expires Dec. 31, Russian gas deliveries to Europe via Ukraine could well experience interruptions.

The White House warned it's considering potentially detrimental sanctions against the German-Russian pipeline. But the threats are still likely more bark than bite.

There are signs Washington might be inching toward action against the ambitious German-Russian pipeline, though such a move risks irking EU powers.

As Turkey and Cyprus cross swords once more over hydrocarbon exploration, Greece and the U.S. are wading into the dispute.

Competition over eastern Mediterranean natural gas will pit Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Egypt against Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

If passed, a measure would give Germany some negotiating power over the key pipeline project to deliver Russian natural gas directly to the EU.

Increased production from Kirkuk after a deal between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government is pushing oil prices lower than some OPEC members are comfortable with.

The U.S. shift to shale has boosted its oil production significantly, yet there hasn't been the same uptick for natural gas. That is about to change with liquefied natural gas.

A new deal resolves some of the concerns of countries surrounding the Caspian Sea, but lingering differences over energy issues will continue to stall progress on projects such as the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline.

Faced with tough U.S. oil sanctions, Iran is playing one of the only cards it has and reminding the world that it could bring maritime oil trade to a halt.