Posts by urbanotter

slyfox43 said:

urbanotter As expressed by:
Must be nice, having all that warmth from your support for Ukraine to keep you cozy.
I’m sure I’ll find my way, too. Given how much emphasis the administration puts on turning places like Columbus into massive energy hubs, one could easily imagine slipping in while the guard isn't looking to cross a couple of wires—one blue, one orange. In an energy hub packed with millions of connections, what chance do two stray wires really have? And even if someone does notice, we'll just drift back into those seasonal cycles where heating issues become the headache of the month again. 😁🙏

This is essentially the mental framework shared by every officer tasked with maintaining Russian military equipment and logistics, from the high-ranking commanders down to those on the ground.

Nobody’s going to turn down a few screws, some high-end optics, or a bit of circuitry packed with precious metals—it’s all just part of the maintenance cycle, really.

We’re still dealing with the lingering trauma and outdated mindsets left behind by that old era of corrupt "self-managed socialism." Honestly, the sooner that entire generation passes on to Valhalla, the better it will be for the country. But in the meantime, someone needs to have the guts to slam their fist on the table and call those bureaucrats out for exactly what they are.

Morgan Wright5 said:I suspect they aren't paying much attention to the air composition, though.

I think your brain has been completely fried by propaganda.

Every single vessel is required to follow international standards known as SOLAS.

The protocols are strictly defined, and specific parameters depend entirely on the shipping company's own rules.
There isn't some shady corruption happening here; if you want to be a high-ranking officer—like a Chief Mate or a Captain—you actually have to pass captain's exams at one of the maritime authorities.
Beyond just finishing maritime academy, you have to pass these exams before a board composed of maritime officers who typically work within those port authorities.
The tank system is a closed loop, and during discharge, a mixture of air and Inert gas is pumped in to prevent the ship from over-inflating or losing pressure.

Oxygen levels in the tanks are strictly monitored; per SOLAS regulations, oxygen content must never exceed 11% because, at that level, combustion becomes impossible. It is standard for oxygen levels to hover between 5% and 8%, and every individual company and vessel maintains its own additional set of strict protocols.

Additionally, a ship's keel shouldn't get closer to the seabed than 0.5% of the ship's length when in a calm harbor without waves; once at anchor, that distance increases to 5% or more of the ship's length.
Furthermore, the ship's trim must be set so that you have a clear line of sight from the bridge covering at least two times the length of the vessel.

Look, my friends, running a ship requires actual expertise, not just shouting nonsense on an internet forum.

The ship cargo procedure between two vessels is essentially the same as discharging at a terminal. Ships don't necessarily need to touch; they often maintain a slow speed while maneuvering, frequently connecting via 3 to 5 large, egg-shaped fenders that can be several meters in diameter.

Let's be real, high-ranking officers don't earn salaries of $13,000 to $15,000 or more for nothing.

In order for a company to pay you that kind of money, you actually have to know what you're doing instead of just trolling online.

That is only a small fraction of the actions and oversight required during the loading or unloading of oil.

When it comes to these types of cargo operations, neither Putin nor Ursulica nor Plenki can step in to help with manipulations; you need the training, the schooling, and the certifications to handle the tasks that are part of a mariner's daily life.
Loading and unloading cargo isn't as simple as just sitting around writing poetry on the Mississippi River.

But this isn't really the topic at hand, so let's wrap this up before we drift further into off-topic chatter and trolling.

p.s.
Of course, everything gets logged and stays on the computer, and any time we have to deviate from the standard ship cargo procedure, we need to get the green light from the shipowner first.

George Robinson43 said:Hydrocarbons. 🙏 🙏
The most absurd part of this fiction from RIA Novosti is the claim that they are loading tankers with Arabic oil at an exact 70-30 ratio.
But here is the kicker—they supposedly approach an Indian vessel that is already carrying Arabic oil and then mix them. Miracles truly do happen out in the Indian Ocean!

Honestly, if people actually knew what was going on, they wouldn't be so surprised.

Transferring oil from one ship to another is a common, well-established procedure carried out by professional crews.

It’s standard operating procedure for a first officer, who keeps a constant eye on the cargo levels in the tanks; they are especially meticulous about managing the air composition inside those tanks to prevent any risk of ignition.

Melissa Rivera5 said:Man, you've got your work cut out for you. Just start planting some Paulownia trees and call it a day, I guess. 👍

It’s easy for you to say when you’ve got your heart set on supporting Ukraine.
I suppose I’ll find a way too; after all, the administration keeps insisting that Rijeka will become this massive energy hub, so the plan is simple: just wait until the security guard isn't looking and cross two wires—one blue and one orange. When you're dealing with millions of connections in an "energy hub," what are two extra wires going to do? And even if they do notice, we'll just have to deal with the heating issues once spring rolls around again.😁🙏

Amanda Flores88 said:They’ll probably just switch over to wood—assuming they can actually nail down a schedule first.

Honestly, I think they would reach an agreement if they could, but Orban keeps making things difficult. He insists that Canada doesn't have enough timber and demands permission to import wood from Russia, where they have more lumber in Siberia than you'd find in the Amazon.😁

Zachary Jackson4 said:Major powers like China, Israel, the Arab League, and India, as far as I can tell, haven't imposed any sanctions. It’s clearly the East against the West.

I honestly can't decide who's more surprising: Israel or the Arabs.

I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing more and more of these kinds of surprises lately. It feels like just when you think you've finally grasped the rhythm of things, something completely unexpected shifts the landscape again. I remember back when I was working in logistics near Chicago, we always thought we had our contingency plans perfected, yet every single week brought some bizarre anomaly that no manual could have ever predicted. It seems like that pattern is repeating itself on a much larger scale now.

Tehran has recently put forward a proposal to establish an international currency specifically designed for trade settlements between Russia, Pakistan, India, China, Iran, and other member nations within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It’s an interesting move that makes me think about how much the global financial landscape is shifting under our feet. I remember reading a piece in the Wall Street Journal a few years back discussing similar efforts to bypass traditional Western systems, and seeing these major players actually coordinate on such a massive scale feels like we're watching history unfold in real-time. It’s a deliberate attempt to reshape how these economies interact with one another outside of the usual channels.

I was reading through some recent reports regarding the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and it really strikes me how much the global energy landscape is being reshaped by this conflict. It’s one thing to read about geopolitical shifts in a textbook, but seeing how it actually impacts things like gas prices or supply chains makes it feel much more immediate. There is a lot of discussion lately about how the West is trying to navigate its dependence on Russian energy while simultaneously imposing sanctions to pressure Moscow. It reminds me of a few years ago when I was working in logistics; we used to see how a single hiccup in a major shipping lane could send ripples through the entire economy. Now, we are looking at a massive restructuring of how Europe manages its heating and fuel needs. The situation is incredibly complex. You have the heavy hitters like the U.S. and the UK trying to coordinate a unified front, while also weighing the economic fallout of decoupling from Russian resources. It isn't just about politics; it's about whether a household in the Midwest or a factory in Germany can afford to keep the lights on if the supply lines shift too drastically. We are essentially watching a high-stakes game of chess where the pieces are commodities and the board is the entire global economy. It’s a sobering reminder of how interconnected we all truly are, regardless of how much we talk about sovereignty or borders.

Since that's just how some people write, I tend to assume whatever they're putting out there is nothing more than a complete fabrication.😉

The Morning is reporting on this, but let’s be honest—they’re probably spinning the truth just like they always do.

The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and those crushing "hellish sanctions" being slapped on by the West are triggering a massive shift in the global geopolitical landscape—one that’s already well underway. When you look specifically at Russia itself, the most profound transformation is this complete political, social, economic, and cultural pivot away from Europe and toward Asia. It's a fundamental realignment from the West to the East. To put it more vividly, they are turning their backs on places like London and the Azure Coast, shifting their entire focus toward the vast stretches of Siberia.

I was reading an interesting piece in the Morning earlier today about how much the global landscape is shifting, and it really got me thinking about the sheer scale of the current geopolitical friction. It seems like we are constantly watching these massive powers maneuver around one another, almost like a high-stakes game of chess where the board keeps expanding. The article touched on the increasing tension between the West and the East, particularly focusing on how trade dependencies are being weaponized. I remember back when I was working in logistics a few years ago, we used to take global supply chains for granted—you just assumed the goods would show up at the warehouse in Chicago or Los Angeles without a second thought. But now, everything feels so fragile. Whether it's energy security or the flow of semiconductors, the way countries like the US and China interact isn't just about business anymore; it’s about fundamental national survival. There is this sense that the old rules, the ones we all learned in school about how international relations work, are being rewritten in real-time. You see it in the way the European Union is trying to navigate its own energy needs while balancing relations with both Washington, D.C. and various Eastern interests. It feels like there is no "neutral" ground left. Every decision made by a major power sends ripples through the entire system, affecting everything from the price of gas at a station in Ohio to the stability of markets on Wall Street. It’s a lot to process, and honestly, it can feel a bit overwhelming to watch the news lately. It makes you realize how interconnected we all truly are, even if we don't always want to be. We aren't just spectators in this; the shifts happening in places halfway across the world eventually find their way to our doorstep.

swiftjackal11 said:Go ahead, fly from Washington, D.C. to Moscow and try buying rubles. Then take those rubles and go buy a Detroit car in Moscow.

I’m living in Cleveland

but honestly, your suggestion about heading over to Moscow to grab a car isn't half bad, much like how it wouldn't be a terrible idea to drive across the border to grab groceries in Canada or Canada.

The TOP 10 best car manufacturers from China

When it comes to aesthetics, these machines are practically indistinguishable from their European or American counterparts. You can find cars on the market where the bodywork looks almost entirely copied from a Chevrolet Matiz, a Mercedes-Benz, or a BMW. Most of the crossovers feature those signature aggressive lines, yet they still manage to look quite elegant. As far as comfort goes, finding a vehicle won't be the slightest bit of a struggle. The interiors are thoughtfully designed down to the smallest detail, with most elements crafted from genuine leather or very high-quality synthetic leather. The cabin space is typically quite generous, ensuring all passengers feel perfectly comfortable.

https://hr.expertevolux.com/top-samy...lej-iz-kitaja/

George Robinson43 said:

urbanotter As requested:
It’s becoming increasingly common to see local currencies used for direct settlements; for instance, we see Russia paying for Chinese goods in Yuan while China settles its energy bills with Russia using Rubles. It's much like how businesses in the States might swap specialized services to bypass traditional banking hurdles!

There won't be any chaos at all, because you'll simply purchase the specific currency you actually need rather than juggling two or three different global ones!

When I was traveling through Canada, I opted to buy local currency instead of relying on cards, just to avoid getting hit by another conversion fee at a Canadian bank! It’s much like choosing cash over a credit card when you're visiting a small town in the Midwest to sidestep those extra processing charges.
The continuous arguments suggesting that adopting the Dollar is a major advantage really undermine any claims that such a move would lead to chaos. It’s like saying a smooth transition is just a myth when the benefits are so clearly laid out!
If the primary advantage of adopting the Euro is streamlining trade within the common market, I fail to see the downside—provided we aren't forced to settle everything exclusively in USD!

At its core, commerce is simply the exchange of goods, while money serves merely as the lubricant to make that process smoother; whether we use USD for mutual transactions or any other medium is ultimately secondary to the trade itself.

I believe you have a complete misunderstanding of the subject matter; to put it more bluntly, you seem to be writing without any real grasp of the facts.
I can assure you that within the European Union, roughly 90% of transactions are settled in Euros rather than USD.
The US dollar serves as the ultimate anchor currency on the global stage. It truly stands alone as the most stable currency available, boasting remarkably minimal exchange rate fluctuations compared to anything else in the international market.
If you honestly believe someone on a different continent is going to accept US Dollars as a local currency, then you really need to wake up. You are dreaming!

There is a clear hierarchy when it comes to the global market:
The strength of the USD remains truly remarkable! It’s much like a sturdy anchor holding a ship steady amidst a turbulent storm.
The Euro remains a fascinating case study in monetary stability! It’s much like a complex engine that requires perfectly synchronized parts to maintain its momentum.
The Yen is performing quite like a vintage sedan struggling to climb a steep hill in Los Angeles—it just doesn't have the horsepower right now! It’s truly fascinating to watch.
4. Pounds
The Australian dollar is much like a high-performance sports car; its value shifts rapidly depending on the terrain of the global market!

The real issue here is that this established hierarchy is starting to shift slowly but surely.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...97.-2207520000..

It would be absolutely absurd to insist on using the dollar within the Eurozone, especially when you have to factor in the extra cost of conversion fees.

analogbear5 said:Look, what you're describing only works if there's actually a viable alternative to the dollar out there. For any country trading oil, trying to stockpile a bunch of different local currencies would be an absolute nightmare. Between the sheer complexity and the total chaos of conversion rates, it’s a mess—not to mention how much volatility that would trigger for everyone, especially smaller nations.

We’re actually seeing more countries settle trades using their own local currencies; for instance, Russia is paying for Chinese goods in yuan, while China settles its energy bills with Russia using rubles.

I don't see any impending chaos coming from this, because you simply acquire the specific currency you need rather than being tethered to two or three global giants.

I remember when I traveled through Europe; I made sure to get local currency instead of relying on dollars just so I wouldn't have to deal with extra conversion fees at every single bank.
People often frame this as one of the primary benefits of adopting the Euro, so the idea that moving away from the dollar would cause total mayhem doesn't really hold water for me.
Even if the main perk of the Euro is making trade within a unified market easier, why should it be viewed negatively if we aren't forced to settle everything exclusively in USD?

At its core, trade is about exchanging goods, and money is just the tool that makes that exchange smoother. It shouldn't matter whether that tool happens to be the dollar or something else entirely.

There's no sense in arguing about where things will land; time will eventually reveal which way global commerce is actually heading.

Some arguments point to the fact that over 40 percent of the US money supply has been printed since the start of the pandemic, fueling the highest inflation we've seen in forty years. We're also seeing a growing slice of international trade happening in alternative currencies. This shift is already gaining momentum; Saudi Arabia, which has traditionally traded strictly in dollars, recently held talks with China regarding selling oil in yuan, and more than 30 percent of central banks have signaled plans to increase their yuan reserves in the coming years. Then there's India, the world's second most populous nation, which is looking into a rupee-ruble trade arrangement with Moscow to maintain its partnership with Russia.

That news outlet writes about everything; they might as well be Russian propaganda for all the good it does.

Brenda Murphy3 said:As if that’s even possible...

God, you people think you're such freaking geniuses...😵

You can't just walk in with some rubles and expect to snag dollars at that rate (honestly, you couldn't do it at any rate... but hey, why let facts get in the way of a good post?)

So, where exactly do you think Russian importers go to get the currency they need if not through the Russian foreign exchange market?
What kind of currency do you think companies use when they have to buy rubles just to secure their supply of gas and oil? How exactly are they paying for it?
Maybe in your world, they’re just handing it over for free based on a friendly smile.

Just because you, as an individual citizen in Russia, can't access certain currencies in countries that have slapped sanctions on Russia, doesn't mean it's impossible to trade for other currencies on the Russian forex market.

Trade between Russia and other nations is increasingly shifting toward local currencies, and honestly, that is precisely what the USA fears most.
The demand for the dollar will continue to erode as more international trade settles using domestic currencies instead.

As a result, these sanctions are becoming less effective at hitting their intended targets; instead, Western importers of Russian gas are actually buying up rubles just to pay for the energy they need.

This entire assault on the established monetary system is going to force nations to find alternative ways to settle payments with one another.
After seeing their foreign exchange reserves frozen and seized by banks all over the world, many countries are being forced to rethink which currencies they should hold to facilitate trade, or if they should simply move toward gold.

When that happens, the global reliance on the dollar diminishes, and eventually, the rest of the world won't have to shoulder the burden of its constant printing anymore.
That hurts the USA far more than any "Glory to Ukraine" sentiment or the tragic loss of thousands of lives this war brings.

Everything the USA and the West are doing is just pushing us closer to a point where some madman, on either side, decides to push the button. At that stage, it won't matter who won or lost; the only question will be whether anyone survives to travel anywhere, or if a few lucky souls will just be waiting in bunkers, hoping life on Earth becomes possible again.

Brenda Murphy3 said:Haha... yeah, right. That’s the same tired logic people use when they claim the ruble is "stronger" than it actually is.

Besides, you totally dodged my original question. Is there anyone on this planet who can actually swap rubles for US dollars at those ridiculous exchange rates Russia keeps bragging about? Can you do it? 😁

If you can't—then what exactly are you basing this whole "strong ruble" argument on?

Well, you could technically buy it on the Russian currency market, where the importers are the ones doing all the buying.

Christian Torres3 said:Territorial disputes of the USA
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terr...ublic_of_China

Maybe this will help jog your memory.

Good grief, you really are something else!

It’s quite funny, actually, considering how we managed to settle every single one of our border disputes after the dissolution of the USA.🙏

p.s.
I think I'll have to reach out to my colleagues over in Montauk to let them know they're completely off base—those penalties they're facing today are nothing more than a total fantasy and a mirage.🙏

hollowdriver13 said:Look, did I ever say they weren't getting it? Of course they are. My point is that people keep trying to spin this as some massive win for Russian foreign policy.
Honestly, Rosneft has to move that oil somewhere; you can't just stockpile it forever. It’s way easier to just sell it to a subsidiary. It would be pretty eye-opening to see what the growth percentages look like if the Russians weren't selling everything at a discount and if Rosneft didn't happen to own the refineries themselves, right?

The cost to pull Russian oil out of the ground is roughly $19 per barrel.
Because of that, the Russians have plenty of breathing room to sell at discounted prices and still walk away with a healthy profit.

The Arabs make even more since their extraction costs sit closer to $9 per barrel.

Americans don't have nearly that much cushion, given that the technological process for extracting shale oil carries a cost of about $30 to $40 per barrel, all while depleting the reserves incredibly fast and forcing us to constantly drill for new ones.

On top of that, Fracking causes significant environmental damage, which obviously doesn't sit well with the environmentalists, but let's be honest—who really listens to the greens when there's serious profit on the table?

Nicole James said:Hardly "equal." If Putin or Xi had even a tenth of the influence that America possesses, we wouldn't even be allowed to speak openly about liberal democracy anymore.

Noah Sullivan, I hear you, but the Wagner Group represents something entirely unprecedented and massive; everyone else seems to be playing by different rules.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary

Back in 2010 alone, there were over 70 armed conflicts happening across the globe. While every single one of those situations was unique, they all shared a fundamental commonality—at some point, one side simply wanted more boots on the ground. When commanders start building up their ranks, they often lean heavily on professional soldiers who actually know how to fight—and who receive substantial paychecks for doing so, according to Business Insider.

https://www.businessinsider.com/mercenaries-warfare-2013-04

🤷🤷

bluebison8 said:No, we don't need to regress to those dark ages. However, I am firmly in favor of a Europe possessing a unified, powerful military—one capable of telling Russia, the USA, and China to back off and stop trying to exploit the continent for their own agendas.

I find myself constantly wondering, though I can't quite wrap my head around the specifics: in what way exactly was Russia blackmailing and suffocating Europe?

Was it a game of playing fast and loose with gas supplies—turning the taps on and off, hiking up prices, or suddenly cutting down on volumes just to keep everyone on edge?
I also can't quite figure out how Europe ended up so heavily dependent on Russian energy in the first place,

was it through brute force and threats, or did they simply pour massive amounts of capital into projects like Nord Stream 2 to ensure a steady flow of gas—gas that Ukrainians were allegedly stealing, which ultimately forced Russia to shut everything down to prevent the loss?

I honestly don't know; perhaps there's a piece of the puzzle I'm missing here.🤷🤷

analogbear5 said:Since nobody's replying, here's how GDP (PPP) breaks down per capita:

Based on 2022 data for Russia: $30,013 per capita, ranked 78th.
For America: $36,201 per capita, ranked 66th.

Where does that massive gap come from—being 6th overall but so low per capita?

The takeaway:



Sure, being a Russian oligarch sounds great. But for everyone else? They've got some of the highest suicide rates in Europe, and alcohol-related deaths are second only to Belarus. Men live about 10 years less than women on average, and young women die at significantly higher rates than young men.

The life expectancy is 72 compared to 78 in the US, so I don't see those extreme disparities you're pointing out.

They are certainly more prone to drinking than Americans,
though over here, people rarely get that drunk because it’s just too expensive given the purchasing power.

Besides, there are plenty of tables out there, but the WB is one of the most reliable sources, and according to them, the Russian GDP per capita is essentially identical to ours.

So, since we're going to talk about charts and sources, let's stick to the facts.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator...name_desc=true

https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/g...pita-worldbank

It isn't exactly easy being a tycoon in our country either—you can afford the best hospitals in the world while a retiree might wait a year just to see a doctor.

When you factor in their massive geography where hospitals can be hundreds of miles away, plus their climate, and compare it to us where you've got a clinic on every corner 31 miles and a climate that's one of the most affordable on the planet, they actually live quite a bit longer.

And if you look at the current trends, they are definitely getting the better end of the deal.

Economic activity during Putin's full term has surged from a modest $196 billion to a staggering $1,283 billion. Employment rates have climbed, and average wages have jumped elevenfold, rising from a meager $60 to the current $650. Pensions shot up from $20 to $220, which logically explains why the poverty rate was cut in half to around 13 percent. Perhaps the best indicator of the standard of living is that the average life expectancy in Russia under Putin's rule increased by a full five years, moving from 65.9 to 70.9. Unemployment has also dropped significantly, hovering around 5% recently, whereas during the Yeltsin era, it exploded to 14.5%.

Read more at: - www.vecernji.hr



So, your perception that Russia is a place of hunger and misery while life here is perfect just doesn't hold up.

Jack Hill2 said:The US has a 40 percent higher real GDP per capita. If that's the case, just give me a 40 percent raise and we'll call it even...

Also, why is there an eight-year difference in life expectancy? Just curious, since the link is closed...

I'd actually love to see the source for that specific statistic you're citing.

And if we look at GDP adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity, our position looks even worse, which I think provides a much more accurate picture of the actual standard of living since it accounts for inflation and the cost of daily life.

Russia is sitting at 6th while the US is down at 85th.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)

Jack Hill2 said:I doubt anyone in the Middle East would care about anything if they had a Scandinavian GDP. Mexico would sign a treaty with Russia as a mortal enemy if it meant reaching that level of prosperity. Who gives a damn about Russia or their propaganda when you can afford a month-long vacation in Portugal for next to nothing? You wouldn't have any existential crises, and even an entry-level job at 18 would provide a higher standard of living than what people in the Middle East struggle to achieve after twenty years of building a career.

Right now, we are stuck somewhere between a poverty-stricken Russia and a developed Europe. And here, those hollow ideologies still find some traction... mostly among people struggling just to survive. Out of pure rage and desperation, they swallow stupid propaganda from the East, where there is likely even more hunger, oppression, and theft.

Exactly; propaganda is a "devilish thing," while facts tell a different story.

https://troskovazivota.com/cijene-i-...rusija-zemlja/

https://troskovazivota.com/cijene-i-...vatska-zemlja/

All things considered, they aren't living worse than we are. In fact, because their energy costs and utilities are so much cheaper, their actual purchasing power is higher than ours "wealthy" citizens.

And if you look at GDP per capita, we are neck and neck—ranked 56th and 57th—though I know GDP isn't the most realistic indicator of an average person's quality of life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita

Our pensions were "adjusted" by a measly 2.2%, yet inflation for basic necessities has surged well above 40-50%.

analogbear5 said:We're talking gas here, not oil.

Tell the Chinese they're doing it wrong if they want to talk about fracking.

The reality is that the techniques used are essentially the same.

It’s something being done across Europe as well, though it tends to stir up a lot of controversy and raises plenty of questions that we likely won't see fully answered until much later down the road.

https://www.nytimes.com/news/environment/fracking-controversy-europe-15179705

swiftjackal11 said:So, what's the actual price on that American gas? Let's look at the numbers.

If you're looking for answers, here is an analysis including forecasts on price trends and the extraction costs in several key nations. Personally, I find the figure claiming shale oil extraction costs only $23.50 a bit hard to swallow; in my experience, most data I've come across suggests those costs sit closer to $40 per barrel. It’s also concerning to me that fracking technology acts as such a massive polluter—especially regarding groundwater—and that these reserves tend to deplete quite rapidly.

Of course, if you're willing to dig a little deeper, you can certainly find more granular data out there.

That said, according to statistics from Rystad Energy, the average cost of such operations in the United States has been roughly $23.35 per barrel. To put that into perspective, pulling a single barrel of oil out of the ground in Saudi Arabia costs about $9, while in Russia, it's around $19. However, many oil-producing nations—think Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mozambique, Libya, and even Russia—rely heavily on foreign revenue and oil taxes to function. But for those revenues to actually cover national expenditures, calculations from Fitch Ratings suggest that Kuwait would need oil at $45 a barrel, and for Bahrain, it might need to hit as high as $84.

https://www.dw.com/en/what-happens-to-oil-prices/a-43279403
https://bljesak.info/business/flash/...-cak-38/117543

Biber said:Is that discounted price actually higher than what they were selling to their European partners for before the sanctions hit?
Oil prices have spiked lately; I'm not sure if you caught the news.

And so, we're seeing the actual fallout from those sanctions.

That said, there aren't any immediate signs of Russia pulling out of Ukraine, which isn't really a shocker given how the sanctions backfired by driving up the price of Russian oil and gas exports. This has massively boosted their trade balance and effectively funded their military efforts. In just the first four months of 2022, Putin could be bragging about a current account surplus of $96 billion—that’s more than triple what they saw during the same stretch in 2021.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas mentioned that deciding on the next round of sanctions is going to be "politically difficult."
EU leaders are suggesting that gas probably won't be included in the next wave of sanctions against Russia.
Read more
When the EU announced a partial ban on Russian oil earlier this week, crude prices surged on global markets, essentially handing the White House an unexpected financial windfall. Russia isn't having any trouble finding alternative markets for its energy supplies, with oil and gas exports to China hitting over 50% on an annual basis as of April.

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...droidApp_Other

Ideologies, justice, civilization, the fallen...

honestly, the elites don't spend much time worrying about those things; those are concepts reserved for the naive or the idealistic.

It’s a harsh reality, but the world is governed by, and respects nothing else but, self-interest and profit.