Member Info for hereandnow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH3-Gt7mgyM

That is big news. Citroen has a big decision to make in due course. It just depends on its US exposure and what the EU will do to protect them. Clearly they have been encouraged by their comms with the French government. 2017 was good, as we already know. 2018 has been excellent so outlook will be good. The $4.5million contract is a really good pointer as to what is to come. Iran on hold, this will take time. I think the bad news has been factored in, I don't think it will get much worse from where we are now. See you all tomorrow!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/european-allies-alarmed-by-pompeo-speech-laying-out-u-s-demands-on-iran/ 'For the time being, MANY EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS HOPE THEY CAN FIND LOOPHOLES FOR CERTAIN COMPANIES TO CONTINUE DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN, BY USING SMALL GERMAN BANKS FOR TRANSACTIONS, FOR instance. But acknowledge that they cannot force big companies to change their own economic calculation.' Anyone know a company that opened a German subsidiary, has a German bank on board, German equity partners and has UKEV backed funding? Anyone know of a company that has been working hand in glove with HMG the past two years to make sure they obey all the rules for working in Iran?

Seems like the battle lines have been drawn. Lets see how the Europeans respond on Friday. Everyone is angry now, lots of bravado being shown. All the major international companies with US business will run for cover. We have already seen one large independent UK company pen a fresh deal with Iran. Why? Because they have no business in the USA and their money and profits lie in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

They need to sort out their financing fast because it is plainly obvious from their accounts and trading statements that they are going to run out soon.

I've been waiting for this for years, at last Azinam is doing something. Great news for Guy and Cooper blocks and it should mean they will get on with the 3 D on the Sharon block. Looks like Azinam will be looking for farm in partners. Considering their data set and the massive interest in the area, that shouldn't be too tricky atm. I imagine ECO will farm down like for like whatever deal/s Azinam manage to make.

Everything I read suggests that any large companies with US share holders, significant US trade and related banking will halt all trade with Iran whatever Europe decide to do. Money talks, full stop! SMEs is a very different story, along with large companies that have independent banking/finance and little business with the USA i.e. Pergas https://en.mehrnews.com/news/134183/British-Pergas-enters-game-as-French-Total-warns-leaving-Iran WSG has no/little business with USA, has German bankers/financing partners, is backed by UKEV and WSGs business does not fall under the sanctions. The only issue will be the odd/some of the suppliers who might have issues. Check with them, replace the ones we need to and crack on. Think there will be enough EU support, protection and financing to give WSG management 'peace of mind'. The margins on this �25million minimum p/a contract must be excellent because it is Iran.

Woops , my mistake! Though the facts remain the same. World class security has helped bring in more and more airlines back into the country as the rapid growth in numbers shows.

http://standardtimespress.org/?p=4845

They will ratify the new law by August, before the first sanctions start to bight. Banking/credit will be supplied. This is super fast in EU terms, quite remarkable. There is also a window for the US to think again.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3861_en.htm Following the unanimous backing of EU Heads of State or Government at the leaders' meeting in Sofia on the evening of 16 May for the proposals of President Juncker and High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini, the European Commission has today acted on four fronts: Launched the formal process to activate the Blocking Statute by updating the list of US sanctions on Iran falling within its scope. The Blocking Statute forbids EU companies from complying with the extraterritorial effects of US sanctions, allows companies to recover damages arising from such sanctions from the person causing them, and nullifies the effect in the EU of any foreign court judgements based on them. The aim is to have the measure in force before 6 August 2018, when the first batch of US sanctions take effect. Launched the formal process to remove obstacles for the European Investment Bank (EIB) to decide under the EU budget guarantee to finance activities outside the European Union, in Iran. This will allow the EIB to support EU investment in Iran and could be useful in particular for small and medium-sized companies. All relevant rules and procedures will apply to individual financial operations. The European Parliament and the Council will have a period of two months to object to these measures, once proposed, before they enter into force. This period can be shorter if both Institutions signal their non-objection before the end of the period. The processes can be ended if political circumstances no longer justify the adoption of the measures. As confidence building measures, the Commission will continue and strengthen the ongoing sectoral cooperation with, and assistance to, Iran, including in the energy sector and with regard to small and medium-sized companies. As a first step, the Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Ca�ete, will travel to Tehran already this weekend. Financial assistance through the Development Cooperation or Partnership Instruments will also be mobilised. The Commission is encouraging Member States to explore the possibility of one-off bank transfers to the Central Bank of Iran. This approach could help the Iranian authorities to receive their oil-related revenues, particularly in case of US sanctions which could target EU entities active in oil transactions with Iran.

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/44599/remarks-hrvp-mogherini-press-conference-following-ministerial-meetings-eue3-and-eue3-and-iran_en Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the press conference following ministerial meetings of the EU/E3 and EU/E3 and Iran Check against delivery! I just met with the Foreign Ministers of France (Jean-Yves Le Drian), Germany (Heiko Maas), the United Kingdom (Boris Johnson) and of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Mohammad Javad Zarif) this afternoon and this evening, in two separate meetings, to discuss our common lines and the work ahead of us, following the announcement made by the United States of its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal. We recalled our commitment to the continued, full and effective implementation of the Iran nuclear deal that was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, as a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and a significant diplomatic achievement. We, together, regretted the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and we recognised that the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions and the normalisation of trade and economic relations with Iran constitute essential parts of the agreement. We stressed the commitment we all share to ensure that this will continue to be delivered and we agreed to this end to deepen our dialogue at all levels. By the way, our experts were working together already today for many hours. We undertook, in particular, to launch intensive expert discussions - that, as I said, have already started today - with Iran, addressing the following issues with a view to arriving at practical solutions in the next few weeks: Maintaining and deepening economic relations with Iran; The continued sale of Iran's oil and gas condensate petroleum products and petrochemicals and related transfers; Effective banking transactions with Iran; Continued sea, land, air and rail transportation relations with Iran; The further provision of export credit and development of special purpose vehicles in financial banking, insurance and trade areas, with the aim of facilitating economic and financial cooperation, including by offering practical support for trade and investment; The further development and implementation of Memoranda of Understanding and contracts between European companies and Iranian counterparts; Further investments in Iran; The protection of European Union economic operators and ensuring legal certainty: And last but not least, the further development of a transparent, rules-based business environment in Iran. We reaffirmed together our resolve to continue to implement the nuclear deal in all its parts, in good faith, and in a constructive atmosphere, and we agreed to continue to consult intensively at all levels and also with other remaining participan

like the placing hangover is fading away and this will trend up steadily into the Q3 farmout confirmation and 2019 drill campaign.

Eskers, never got to see the link, could you tell us what was in it and who is Aileen Taylor? Always thought we were doing business in Tunisia. Training makes sense, all those French speakers that were required�what next? Tick tock!

I would have thought all WSG share holders will be remainers by the end of the day!!!!!!!

https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-eu-response/eu-to-start-iran-sanctions-blocking-law-process-on-friday-idUSL5N1SO4W2?rpc=401& Reuters Staff 1 Min Read SOFIA, May 17 (Reuters) - The European Commission will launch on Friday the process of activating a law that bans European companies from complying with U.S. sanctions against Iran and does not recognise any court rulings that enforce American penalties. �As the European Commission we have the duty to protect European companies. We now need to act and this is why we are launching the process of to activate the �blocking statute� from 1996. We will do that tomorrow morning at 1030,� European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said. �We also decided to allow the European Investment Bank to facilitate European companies� investment in Iran. The Commission itself will maintain its cooperation will Iran,� Juncker told a news conference after a meeting of EU leaders. This is way beyond what I thought the EU would do. EU showing real resolve, fantastic news for WSG.

link please?

Pergas works all over the Middle East on both sides of the divide, Africa and Asia

business does WSG do in USA��..there was talk of a bridge many years ago, apart from that, all their MOU's/business is in Africa, Middle East and Asia. I think the EU will throw up some financial protection for EU companies, some ring fencing. They wont follow through with the French plan which stems from the 1990s but the EU MUST show back bone and resolve and push back against the US. What is the purpose of the EU if they don't use their size and economic might to fight for what they think is right. The US has ignored and is riding roughshod over EU . They cannot be seen to be their vassal.

'The oil company said US institutions were involved in 90pc of its financing operations, and make up 30pc of its shareholder base. In addition, the company operates US energy assets that amount to $10bn in spendin' Pergas Resources, a British company is doing a fresh $1.1billion deal with Iran, why? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-16/iran-plans-first-foreign-oil-pact-since-trump-left-nuclear-deal Here is why, 'Financing will not be coming from any U.S. company or any U.S. affiliated company or any company that is involved in the U.S., said Clint Elgar, chief executive officer of Pergas. The proposed agreement is for 10 years, he said. Pergas currently has 10 projects in the Middle East, with three in Iran, he said.' WSG meets pre 2015 sanction requirements, we have German bank funding and our suppliers have less than 10% US products in their goods. There are concrete steps being developed by EU leaders. Their deputies are meeting next week to thrash out details, watch this space!