Indonesia faces energy investment challenge

Exports from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline are currently forecast to commence in 3Q2005. Initially the line will predominantly carry Azeri Light oil, but is likely to include increasing quantities of Kazakh oil - especially as the Kashagan field ramps up. There has been some discussion in the market recently regarding the potential for this sweet crude oil to develop into a marker grade in the next few years. Ben Holt, Associate Director, Channoil Consulting, reports.