Does Germany Kill Nabucco Project?
Does Germany Kill Nabucco project: European Energy Security
This appeared in the Moscow Times, originally an editorial in Vedomosti. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder sure has earned his money.
Although France and Italy also supported the downgrading of Nabucco, Germany, which stands to be on the receiving end of the Nord Stream pipeline, is Nabucco’s largest opponent. Nord Stream’s shareholders include Gazprom with 51 percent, German enterprises E.On and BASF with 20 percent each and Dutch Gasunie with 9 percent.
Most of the skepticism surrounding Nabucco centers on the lack of gas to fill it. Iran, with the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, could easily fill the pipeline, but it is impossible to imagine Tehran as a reliable partner in Nabucco considering how many sharp points of contention there are between Iran and the United States (and many EU members as well) — mainly over Tehran’s nuclear program. Turkmenistan, which has the world’s fifth-largest reserves of natural gas, could play a prominent role in Nabucco, but this would require building a new Trans-Caspian pipeline. Moreover, there are security issues regarding transit routes through Georgia and Turkey.
Gazprom’s other proposed project, South Stream, which would transport gas from Russia to Bulgaria and onward to other European countries via the Black Sea, would be Nabucco’s competitor.
Now Gazprom can see itself as the victor. While Europe is shelving Nabucco until more prosperous times, Gazprom continues to see the ambitious South Stream and Nord Stream projects as their key strategic priorities.
On the other hand, Gazprom’s gas exports to Europe have shrunk since the beginning of the year by 40 percent in comparison with the same period a year ago. Moreover, long-term forecasts point to European demand for gas dropping much more than previously believed, which makes the Nabucco deferral logical.
Gazprom may believe that the Nabucco downgrade strengthens its status as a near-monopoly supplier of gas for Europe. But the price of having this privilege may prove to be very expensive.
“Nabucco†pipeline withdrawn from list of EU priorities
“Nabucco†pipeline withdrawn from list of EU priorities
According to recent news from Russia, Nabucco pipeline project is no longer in the list of EU priorities. Here is the news:-
The construction of the “Nabucco†pipeline for the transportation of gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe is withdrawn from the list of the European Union’s priority projects. As a source in the EU Council said, Germany, Italy and France called in question the necessity of the “Nabucco†project. While taking a decision on the withdrawal of “Nabucco†from the list of the EU priorities investors’ fears were also taken into account. They foresee certain difficulties, taking into account the current situation in Georgia one section of the “Nabucco†pipeline should run across, a drop in demand for fuels and the rivalry between the Russian gas pipeline project South Stream and the “Nabucco†project.
Source: Voice of Russia
Announcement for Computer Aided Drafting Term Projects
Computer Aided Drafting Projects
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Professionality: The projects should comprise all professional components. First of all, when someone takes your hardcopies of your work they should be able to produce the product in your project without further consult to your team. The engineering drawings should be complete with proper dimensions, Bill of Materials (BOM) explanations etc. They should properly reflect an engineer’s design documents for someone else to properly produce your product in your project. The maximum reward for this component is 10 points.
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Creativity: This is for rewarding the innovative and creative ideas. Making a project for producing an ergonomical bottle which can readily embed some space to carry cups inside is more creative than designing a stapler or pen. The maximum reward for this component is 5 points.
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Complexity: This component is here for using the most sophisticated features of what you learned in the course. Creating a special thread is much more difficult than producing a simple cylinder. The maximum reward for this component is 5 points.
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Feasibility: The project whould be feasible. You should explain in your report and presentation why your project is doable or feasible. The maximum reward for this component is 5 points.
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Presentation: You should present your project in the exhibition in a nice manner. Concentrate on your posters, reports and other creative ideas during exhibition. The maximum reward for this component is 5 points.
Summary of Selection Criteria for Best Project
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Professionality …………… 10 points.
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Creativity ……………………. 5 points.
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Complexity …………………. 5 points.
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Feasibility …………………… 5 points.
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Presentation ……………….. 5 points.
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TOTAL …………………. 30 points.
Who will be selecting the best Project(s)?
Selection will be made by myself and the tutors/graders. There will be a total of 3 evaluators for the overall selection.
After Exhibition
After the exhibition, all projects should be submitted as hardcopies and softcopies on CDs. We wish everyone good luck.