-Caveat Lector-
From
http://www.worldpress.org/specials/pp/pipeline_timeline.htm
Timeline of Competition between Unocal and Bridas for the Afghanistan
Pipeline
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
Munich—concern 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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