Confident Egypt strikes Israeli-Palestinian gas deals

Significance The agreement with Israel is to construct a pipeline from the Leviathan offshore gas field; the agreement with the PA is a non-binding memorandum of understanding about investing in the Gaza Marine project. The agreements are among Egypt's higher-profile interventions in the wider East Mediterranean gas sector for several years. Impacts Egypt is unlikely to have the financial resources to undertake investment in the Gaza Marine field. Israeli obstruction and Palestinian disunity will continue to block progress on developing Gaza Marine. Egypt is more inclined to engage publicly with Israel and less concerned about a popular backlash against such engagement.

Significance The pipeline transit agreement is set to expire at the end of October. It comes as tensions between Morocco and Algeria have escalated, with the latter cutting diplomatic ties with Rabat and closing its airspace to Moroccan airplanes. Impacts Algeria will argue that trans-Morocco gas can be replaced with extra volumes via the Medgaz line and with liquefied natural gas. The supply implications mainly affect Spain and Morocco, and will have little relevance for other European gas projects. In the East Mediterranean, the costs of a pipeline to Europe remain prohibitively high.


Author(s):  
Piyoosh Rautela ◽  
Girish Chandra Joshi ◽  
Shailesh Ghildiyal

Purpose The purpose of this study is to estimate the cost of seismic resilience of identified vulnerable lifeline public buildings in earthquake-prone Himalayan province of Uttarakhand in India. Design/methodology/approach Built area of the identified vulnerable lifeline buildings together with prevalent rate of construction has been considered for assessing the cost of seismic resilience while improvised rapid visual screening (RVS) technique, better suited to the built environment in the region, has been used for assessing seismic vulnerability. Findings Investment of US$250.08m is assessed as being required for ensuring seismic safety of 56.3, 62.1, 52.9, 64.6, 71.9 and 61.7% surveyed buildings, respectively, of fire and emergency services, police, health, education, local administration and other departments that are to become non-functional after an earthquake and result in a major socio-political turmoil. A total amount of US$467.71m is estimated as being required for making all the buildings of these departments seismically resilient. Research limitations/implications Actual investment estimates and reconstruction/retrofitting plans have to be prepared after detailed investigations as RVS technique only provides a preliminary estimate and helps in prioritising buildings for detailed investigations. Practical implications This study is intended to provide a snapshot of the state of seismic vulnerability together with the financial resources required for corrective measures. This is to help the authorities in planning phased mobilisation of financial and technical resources for making the built environment seismically resilient. Social implications This study is to bring forth awareness on this important issue and consequent public opinion in favour of safety of public facilities to ensure allocation of appropriate financial resources together with changes in techno-legal regime for the cause of earthquake safety. At the same time, this study is to motivate masses to voluntarily assess safety of their neighbourhood and undertake corrective measures. Originality/value This study is based on primary data collected by the authors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiyan Zhang ◽  
Dezhi Zeng

Purpose Bimetallic composite pipe consists of a corrosion resistance alloy (CRA) layer for corrosion resistance and carbon steel for mechanical properties, which shows a promising prospect of gathering pipeline with its effective-cost and reliable corrosion resistance. However, the corrosion resistance of composite pipe is determined by the quality of its welding gap. This paper aims to investigate the TIG welding gap corrosion resistance of X52/825 metallurgical clad pipe in H2S/CO2 environment. Design/methodology/approach Corrosion tests of X52/825 welding gap were performed in a stimulated gas field solution containing both 1 MPa CO2 and 1.5 MPa H2S at 70°C for 720 h in a self-designed high temperature and high pressure autoclave. The anti-stress corrosion cracking (SCC) performance of X52/825 clad pipe ring root welding gap was investigated in both NACE A solution and the stimulant gas field solution by four point bending testing and constant load test. Then the experiments were rerun in XX high sour gas well. In addition, the alloy diffusion and microstructure characteristics of TIG welding gap were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy technologies. Findings The results reveal that the root welding gap is almost not corroded in the stimulant gas field solution, and no micro-cracks were observed by electron microscope. Anti-SCC test results show the root welding gap does not break, indicating a good resistance to environmental-cracking in H2S/CO2 environment. The transition layer can be obviously observed in the root welding zone, and the alloy content of transition layer is diluted. However, the transition layer does not penetrate into the inner of CRA layer, which illustrates its good anti-corrosion performance. Therefore, TIG welding technology can be well used in the welding process of composite pipe. Originality/value This paper may provide theoretical reference for manufacturing and application of clad pipe.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125-1147
Author(s):  
Ignat Kulkov ◽  
Björn Berggren ◽  
Kent Eriksson ◽  
Magnus Hellström ◽  
Kim Wikstrom

PurposeThis paper focuses on medical device university spin-offs (USOs), taking into account the peculiarities of financial and nonfinancial support and intellectual property rights (IPRs). The authors declare that these parameters play a significant role in business development at the early stages.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical data consist of individual and group interviews in Finland and Sweden, which are later inductively analyzed.FindingsThe results show that public financial support contributes to the formation and start of sales stages in small countries and local markets. However, at the validation stage, approaches for supporting entrepreneurship in the field of medical devices may differ. The ownership of IPRs assists in the development of entrepreneurship in the region due to the transfer of research results and researchers to the industry and increases the number of spin-offs and the cooperation of universities with business.Originality/valueThis contribution is in the identification of the key parameters for the formation, support and development of the USOs from the point of view of the availability of financial resources and the ownership of IPRs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guohao Chen ◽  
Lingyun Li ◽  
Jian Ouyang ◽  
Zhuoyan Zhu ◽  
Feng Wang ◽  
...  

Purpose – The aim of the present paper was to investigate the inhibition performance of the OF and/or IM on L360 steel in CO2/H2S environments. The pipeline steel surface usually has been pre-treated before using in the oil/gas field, such as by passivation, blackening, and phosphiding. The effectiveness of inhibition can vary because there are many differences between the metal matrix and the treated film. Design/methodology/approach – Imidazoline (IM) was synthesized by using oleic acid and diethylenetriamine, and its composition was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The oxide film (OF) covering a sample of L360 steel was characterized using X-ray diffraction, and its surface morphology was observed using scanning electron microscope. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were conducted to study the inhibition performance of IM- and/or OF-covered L360 steel in the CO2/H2S environments. Findings – The results show that IM and OF can prevent corrosion on L360 steel in CO2/H2S environments, and the synergistic inhibition effect of IM and OF was very evident. A possible model is proposed to explain the synergistic inhibition effect in the CO2/H2S environments of IM and OF on L360 steel. Originality/value – Few reports have concerned the effect of the OF on the inhibitor’s performance, especially in CO2/H2S systems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibition performance of the OF and/or IM on L360 steel in CO2/H2S environments. A model is proposed to explain the synergistic inhibition effect mechanism between IM and OF.


2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 939-949
Author(s):  
Bijan Bidabad ◽  
Mahshid Sherafati

Purpose This paper aims to define a set of anti-squandering guideposts to improve the sustainability and efficiency of allocating financial resources to investment projects. Design/methodology/approach A set of sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures are proposed for a better allocation of the bank’s financial resources. These measures were derived from the doctrine of “ethic economics”, humanitarian principles and Islamic teachings. Rastin banking provides a base to apply these measures. Findings A draft of the regulations for sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures was compiled for Rastin banking operations, which is briefly presented in this paper and can be used as a basis for the codification of the respective laws. Research limitations/implications Such kinds of regulations are novel and need to be deeply discussed in the first place. After adaptation, adjustment and performing the necessary modifications, the text of the law can be codified. Practical implications Banks through granting loans, credits and other financial facilities can affect the investment projects in such a way to prevent the extravagant consumption of financial resources in investment projects and consider the sustainable development guidelines. Social implications The proposed guideposts can be detailed and adopted in other countries, especially those that are inefficient in their banking and financial operations. Originality/value Wasteful allocation of financial resources leads to the wastage of resources and reduction of productivity and provides benefit neither for the people nor for the society. Hence, the present paper tries to practically solve the problem for financial operations.


Significance Turkey's faltering EU accession process looks more at risk than ever, following Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn's warning that Ankara had "clearly chosen to move away from Europe, not closer to it". Hahn was presenting the European Commission's 2016 Enlargement Package, which is much more critical of Turkey than of the six Western Balkans countries that are either accession candidates like Turkey or potential candidates. Yet when it comes to terminating Turkey's candidacy, both the Turkish and EU authorities want the other to make the move. In the short term, some EU capitals fear a wave of migrants should Ankara stop cooperating in policing the Aegean; in the longer term, Turkey's economy could suffer. Impacts The EU's interest in Western Balkan security, stability and prosperity will keep enlargement to these countries on track, at least formally. However, the Dutch referendum vote against Ukraine's association agreement shows popular feeling spreading in the EU against enlargement. Turkey's customs union with the EU underpins its recent economic upturn; it is hard to see it continuing without the prospect of membership. Resumed use of the East Mediterranean route depends on Turkey but also on migrants' hopes of being able to cross borders further north.


Significance Outgoing President Horacio Cartes has failed in his bid to be sworn in as a normal senator for the 2018-23 term. Critics claim that his motivation is to seek immunity from the possibility of prosecution for criminal activity, something that is denied to ‘life-long’ senators, a post constitutionally assigned to former presidents. It is a major blow to his plans to exercise power after he leaves the presidency in August 2018. Impacts Colorado infighting is likely to be vicious under the new president, even by the party’s historical standards. Prospects for the incoming president’s legislative agenda are bleak. Even without a ‘normal’ Senate seat, Cartes's financial resources will allow him to retain substantial influence.


Significance Military and security personnel voted early on April 29, with a turnout of 12%. There are concerns that widespread apathy, coupled with a desire among the Tunisian electorate with the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the unity government’s performance, will dampen turnout and undermine the municipal councils from the outset. Impacts The local election results could cause parties to reassess campaign strategies for the 2019 general elections. Local governance will be effective only if adequate mechanisms are in place to transfer financial resources. The municipal elections present an opportunity for women and younger candidates.


Subject Senegalese gas scandal. Significance A high-profile scandal implicating President Macky Sall's brother Aliou continues to prompt controversy. A BBC documentary aired last month alleging an improper relationship between controversial Romanian-Australian businessman Frank Timis and Aliou surrounding offshore natural gas field licences. Impacts The scandal may dent Senegal’s democratic credentials but is unlikely to dampen overall interest in the burgeoning oil and gas sector. Concerns will mount that Sall is gradually instituting a form of ‘civil authoritarianism’, with a growing clampdown on dissent. The youthful Ousmane Sonko, who placed third in the February elections, could use the scandal to bolster his anti-corruption credentials. Fears may grow that Sall could ultimately pursue a third-term bid, using a new 2016 constitution as his validation.


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