From owner-imap@chumbly.math.missouri.edu Wed Dec 26 08:00:06 2001
Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2001 01:35:57 -0600 (CST)
From: Nurev Ind.
<nurev@starpower.net>
Organization: Nurev Independent Research
Subject: Timeline of Competition between Unocal and Bridas for the
Article: 132650
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From http://www.worldpress.org/specials/pp/pipeline_timeline.htm
The Principal Players: Unocal | Bridas (Bridas has since merged with BP Amoco Argentina)
1992
January
Gas exploration rights for Yashlar block in eastern
Turkmenistan awarded to Argentine firm; Bridas Production profits to
be split 50- 50 between Bridas and Turkmenistan government.
1993
February
Bridas awarded Keimir Oil and Gas Block in western
Turkmenistan. 75- 25 split in profits, in favor of Bridas.
March
President Niyazov of Turkmenistan hires Alexander Haig
(former U.S. National Security Adviser) to lobby for increased
U.S. investment in Turkmenistan. and for a softening of position on
pipelines through Iran.
1994
September
Bridas prevented from exporting oil from Keimir Block.
November
Working group established to study gas pipeline
routes. Taliban capture Kandahar.
1995
January
Keimir Block deal is renegotiated. Bridas's share of
profits reduced to 65 percent. Oil exports allowed.
March
Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Turkmen
president Niyazov conduct feasibility study of Afghan pipeline.
April
Turkmenistan and Iran to build first 180 miles of proposed
pipeline via Iran to Turkey. United States oppose financing pipeline
through Iran. Turkmen officials in Texas at invitation of
Bridas. While there, they also meet meet Unocal officials.
August
Oil and gas discovered by Bridas at Yashlar. Bridas
representatives meet Taliban for first time.
October
President Niyazov signs agreement in New York with
Unocal/Delta.
December
Ban on Bridas's oil exports from Keimir imposed by
Turkmenistan for second time.
1996
February
Agreement between Afghan government and Bridas
signed. Suit filed by Bridas in Texas against Unocal/Delta for
interference in its business in Turkmenistan.
March
U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Tom Simmons, urges Bhutto to
give exclusive rights to Unocal. Bhutto offended and demands apology.
May
Turkmenisatn, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan agree
that Turkmenistan should name the consortium to build the pipeline.
Opening of 100-mile railway route linking Turkmenistan and Iran.
August
Unocal/Delta and Turkmenistan's Turkmenrosgaz along with
Russia's Gazprom enter into agreement for pipeline project.
Septmeber
Unocal says it will give aid to to Afghan warlords
once they agree to form a council to supervise the project. Taliban
take Kabul.
October
Unocal expresses suport for Taliban takover, saying it
makes pipeline project easier. Unocal later says it was misquoted.
November
Bridas signs agreement with Taliban and Gen. Dostum to
build pipeline.
December
Turkey to buy Turkmen gas through Iran.
1997
January
Turkmenistan signs exploration agreement with Mobil and
Monument Oil. U.N. Under Secretary General Akashi criticizes oil
companies and warlords for pipeline projects.
February
Taliban in Washington to seek recognition. Taliban meet
with Unocal. Taliban travel to Argentina as guests of Bridas. Upon
return, Taliban meet with Saudi Intelligence chief, Prince Turki
al-Faysal, in Jeddah.
March
Unocal sets up office in Kandahar; Bridas does likewise in
Kabul.
April
Taliban announce criteria for awarding contract: The
company that starts work first wins.
Unocal President John Imle baffled by statement.
June
Unocal says peace is necessary for construction of
pipeline, otherwise the project could take years. Bridas officials
meet Taliban and say that they are interested in beginning work in
any kind of security situation.
July
Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Unocal sign new contract
extending Unocal's deadline by one year to start project by December
1998. In a policy shift, United Staes says it will not object to
Turkmenisatn- Turkey pipeline through Iran.
August
Shell's Alan Parsley meets Niyazov and promises help on
Turkmenistan- Turkey pipeline. Taliban say Bridas offer better terms
and expect to enter into agreement with them.
September
Turkmenistan opens tenders for oil companies to take
up new concessions along the Caspian. Niyazov, 57, has heart operation
in Munichconcern grows about his health, and who would replace him
should he die. Bridas sells 60 percent of the company's stakes in
Latin America to Amoco. The two agree to form a new company to run
operations jointly. Taliban delegation in Argentina to discuss
pipeline deal with Bridas.
October
Taliban delegation visits Ashkhbad and agrees to set up
tripartite commission with Pakistan and Turkmenistan to explore Unocal
pipeline project. Centgas Pipeline Ltd. formed in Ashkhabad: Unocal
owns 46.5 percent, Delta Oil owns 15 percent, Turkmenistan's national
gas company owns 7 percent, Itochu Oil owns 6.5 percent, Inpex owns
6.5 percent, Crescent Group owns 3.5 percent, Hyundai Engineering owns
5 percent. Taliban undecided which consortium to join.
November
Taliban in United States to visit Unocal and U.S. State
Department officials.
December
Turkmenistan and Iran inaugarate 120-mile-long gas
pipeline between the two countries.
1998
January
Bridas awarded US$50 million by International Court of
Arbitration in Paris for money owed by Turkmen government for refined
products provided to Keimir refinery.
February
Gazprom pulls out of Unocal consortium, shares re-
distributed, giving Unocal 54 percent.
March
Unocal says pipeline on hold as unfeasible because of
Afghan war. Turkmenistan anxious for work to begin soon. Unocal asks
Pakistan to extend deadline to October 1998. Deadline cannot be met,
says Unocal, because of Afghan civil war.
June
Objections to Afghan pipeline deal by some shareholders at
Unocal's annual meeting. Unocal says it has spent US$10-15 million on
the project since 1995 and intends to give US$1 million to Afghan
charities in 1998.
August
After U.S. missile strikes against Afghanistan, Unocal
suspends pipeline project and asks American staff to leave.
September
Environmentalists in California ask Attorney General
to dissolve Unocal for crimes against humanity, the environment, and
for its relationship with the Taliban.
October
A Texas judge dismisses Bridas's US$15 billion suit
against Unocal for preventing them developing gas fields in
Turkmenistan. Judge says dispute covered by Turkmen and Afghan law,
not Texas law.
November
Unocal withdraws from a US$2.9 billion pipeline project
to bring natural gas from Turkmenistan to Turkey.
December
Citing low oil prices, concerns over Osama bin Laden,
and pressure from women's groups, Unocal withdraws from Afghan
pipeline consortium. Unocal also announces a 40 percent drop in
capital spending for 1999 because of low oil prices.
1999
January
Turkmenistan's foreign minister visits Pakistan; says
pipeline project still alive.
February
Carlos Bulgheroni, co-chairman of Bridas, visits
Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia for talks with leaders.
March
Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Sheikh Muradov meets with
Mullah Omar in Kandahar to discuss pipeline.
April
Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Taliban sign agreement to
revive pipeline project.
May
Taliban delegation signs agreements with Turkmenistan to buy
gas and electricity.
This timeline owes a great debt to Ahmed Rashid's excellent study Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil & Fundamentalism in Central Asia (Yale UP, 2000). Wherever possible, the information has been cross- checked against Unocal and BP Amoco Argentina's archive of press releases, the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Platt's Oil and Gas Bulletin, Oil and Gas Magazine, Moscow's Interfax News Agency, and Moscow newspaper Pravda's Central Asia pages.
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