Posts by urbanotter

hollowdriver13 said:Wait, so now you're saying they aren't buying on the market, but directly from the Central Bank at their set rate? And it's not even the customers buying, but ExxonMobil itself just pumping up demand... I think you might be accidentally contradicting yourself in a single post there.

Think about it—what does a central bank really need in terms of foreign currency when they can just print more of their own? In this case, ExxonMobil is essentially buying from Russian importers who have been paid in foreign currency to cover their import costs; it’s a standard economic cycle seen in almost any nation.
The Federal Reserve doesn't exist just to facilitate currency trades for importers and exporters; it isn't like the old days of the Central Bank of America, where the primary goal was simply maintaining price stability by pegging the kuna to the Euro.
Looking back, we can clearly see how much "stability" that policy actually achieved.

Honestly, it’s ridiculous. Just ten days ago, you could pick up a candy bar for $2.00/, and now you can't find one for less than $9.90. So much for "stable" prices.

The specific account opened by ExxonMobil is designed specifically to bypass the freezes on funds meant for gas payments within Western banks that have slapped sanctions on Russia.

It isn't just a matter of buying and selling currency based on supply and demand; the converted funds actually remain sitting within the Russian banking system.

Because Russia is seeing such a massive trade surplus due to the drop in imports, the ruble has actually strengthened beyond what the government wants.
Now, the Central Bank is stepping in with measures to weaken an overly strong ruble because it’s starting to act as a bottleneck for Russian exports.
And remember, Russia isn't just exporting energy; they export a wide range of goods and raw materials. This is going to create significant issues with grain supplies, too. We're looking at expected yields in Ukraine dropping by as much as 50%, and with droughts ravaging American agriculture right now, yields for soft crops could easily be cut in half as well.
The rain just won't come when it's needed most, and if it finally does arrive, the damage will already be done.
Beyond just market volatility, we should probably prepare for food prices to keep climbing while everyone else tightens their belts; it’s highly unlikely that wages will keep pace with the rising cost of groceries.

hiddeneagle98 said:The thing is, you can't actually buy foreign currency with rubles in a Russian bank. That's the whole point. That makes the official exchange rate a total sham. In practice, anyone holding rubles has zero chance of swapping them for hard currency anywhere except on the black market.

You can't even pay for gas with rubles; you pay in Euros and then the Russians just settle the difference in rubles later. It's some kind of Orwellian way of handling payments.

Come on, let's not get carried away with fairy tales here. The companies importing goods into Russia are buying their foreign currency on the black market. Even someone as inexperienced as little Ivica wouldn't be able to pull that off.

The reality is that you can't settle a bill for gas or oil in euros; you have to go out into the market, buy the necessary rubles, and only then can you actually secure the energy supply.

I think everyone is missing the core mechanism here: Gaspr opened an account where buyers deposit their dollars or euros, and then the company uses those funds to purchase the rubles needed to finalize the sale of the gas or oil.

So, while you can technically buy rubles using any major currency, you can't actually make the payment in anything other than rubles.

It's a bit of a catch-22—you can't pay a specific bank because of sanctions, yet you still need to facilitate the trade.
Essentially, you have to pay first, grab the rubles, and only then do you see the gas arrive.

That is precisely why the ruble has become such a sought-after currency, causing its value to spike even higher than it was before the sanctions were ever implemented.😉😁

crimsoncyclist71 said:What's interesting here is that I don't see you providing any "actual" data regarding the rise in living standards for Russian citizens following the sanctions. I'm sure such data exists, but I don't see you sharing anything other than spitting on every piece of information that contradicts your personal beliefs.

And the Russian ruble is garbage because it isn't on a free market. You can't freely buy or sell the currency. Its value doesn't mean anything other than being able to say the ruble is "strong."

Sanctions work. If they didn't, we wouldn't need an army of posters trying to convince us everything is fine.

You don't need propaganda, but maybe try reading some independent news outlets instead of those swampy little pamphlets.

Trade between China and Russia surged by more than 12 percent in March, according to data from the Chinese customs administration, which stands in direct opposition to the trade policies implemented by Western nations through strict sanctions against Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine. The value of China-Russia trade reached $11.67 billion last month, and in the first three months of this year, exchange jumped by 30.45 percent.

So, yeah, sanctions are definitely "working."☕

quietviper0 said:It’s actually quite fascinating to think that Western goods, which are becoming so much harder to import into Russia lately, end up being more expensive than in places where they flow in easily... who would have guessed such a thing... 🤔

Oh, and if you look at the first comment, there's already a bit of a heated debate breaking out over the price of a loaf of bread.

I wonder if this is some kind of standardized consumer basket used to compare the cost of living across different parts of the world?

Then again, you also have to consider the exchange rate issue... I mean, do they use the official exchange rate when calculating these prices while ignoring it for everything else because it feels artificial? It wouldn't be hard to run into some serious mathematical dissonance that way...

It really is a rather instructive little comparison, isn't it... 🙄

Comparisons like this don't even really warrant a response, but some people find them to be a very "appealing" indicator of the supposed decline in Russian standards. In reality, the Ruble has strengthened immensely due to measures taken by the Russian CB, so they are actually working to weaken the currency now because a strong Ruble hurts their exports.
The only fair comparison would be seeing how much one can actually buy with an average salary in the US,
but then the picture wouldn't look quite so "appealing."
When you look at which companies left Russia due to sanctions, the drop in living standards is far less significant than suggested; instead of the expected 10% drop, the economy fell by 5%, which is similar to the contraction seen in the European economy.
But let them keep writing their panegyrics about sanctions so that the local Anglophiles don't get too unsettled or excited. ☕

If the official exchange rate were truly favorable, there would be no reason for a "black market" to exist, especially if you could buy more Euros with your Rubles at a bank than you could on the street.
Russia maintains a surplus in its foreign trade, so there is simply no necessity for black-market currency trading.

Many people who might have been spending Euros on the Atlantic coast this summer were actually spending Rubles at Russian resorts, or using their local currencies in countries that didn't implement any sanctions.

Christian Torres3 said:What a joke.

But honestly, this isn't just a joke; it’s the reality of how sanctions against Russia are actually playing out here in America.

The local budget expert practically shuddered when she saw the December 2021 catalog. She put together a comparison chart that really highlights some shocking consumer trends: "I'm a cash believer, and I only eat whatever happens to be on sale."

goldenowl73 said:Honestly, that whole Russian attempt at breaking into the smartphone market was basically just a glorified assembly line. They weren't actually manufacturing anything from scratch; it was all just rebranding and slapping a logo on stuff they bought ready-made from China and Korea. You just grab the components, put them together, and call it a day. And even with that shortcut, the whole thing still completely tanked.
Honestly, when you start looking into the actual design and manufacturing side of things for chips and semiconductors over in Russia, there’s really not much to write home about. It's pretty thin on the ground, if you ask me!

You know, looking back at it, even here in the States, we had those times where companies were basically just slapping local branding on hardware and calling it a day—kind of like how some folks used to assemble mobile phones under the NOA label right here in America.

So, I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter lately about whether it actually makes sense to pick up one of those domestic American smartphones, and honestly, it’s such a fascinating rabbit hole to dive into. You know how it is—you see a local brand popping up, promising that "homegrown" quality, and you start wondering if you should put your money behind them or just stick with the giants like Motorola or Nokia. I remember back when I was first getting into tech, I really wanted to support local startups, thinking there was this special kind of soul in products made right here in the States. But then reality hits. When you look at the big players, they have these massive supply chains and R&D budgets that a smaller American manufacturer just can't touch overnight. It's a bit of a gamble, isn't it? On one hand, you've got that feeling of pride knowing your dollars are staying within our own economy, helping a local company grow and maybe even creating some cool jobs in places like Austin or Seattle. There's a certain charm to it, a way of saying, "Hey, we can build great things too." But then you start looking at the specs. You start comparing the processing power and the camera arrays to what Apple or Samsung is putting out, and the gap can feel pretty wide. It's not just about the hardware, though; it's the software ecosystem. We all get so used to the seamless integration of our favorite apps and services that switching to a newer, less established OS can feel like a massive headache. I once tried to switch to a niche brand after seeing a glowing review on a tech blog, and let me tell you, trying to get my banking apps and smart home stuff to play nice was a total nightmare for weeks. Not exactly the "seamless experience" they promised! At the end of the day, I think it really comes down to what you value most. If you're a hardcore power user who needs the absolute bleeding edge of technology every single month, you might find yourself frustrated with a homegrown option. But if you're looking for something reliable, maybe a bit more unique, and you truly want to make a statement about supporting American innovation, it could totally be worth the investment. It's all about finding that sweet spot between being a conscious consumer and making sure you aren't buying a lemon. What do you guys think? Is the "buy local" vibe enough to outweigh the technical trade-offs for you?

Honestly, why should Russia even bother trying to manufacture its own phones when there are plenty of economies far more powerful than theirs that already do it?
They do have enough trade surplus, though, to simply buy whatever handsets they need from abroad.

We should probably wait a bit to see how the relationship between China and the USA evolves, and then we might get a better sense of how Huawei reacts to the shifting landscape.
Since about 60% to 80% of semiconductor production is concentrated in Taiwan and South Korea, it’s entirely possible that Western nations will start demanding more domestic alternatives for mobile tech soon.

For the moment, the "smartphone shortage" isn't nearly as big of a headache for Russia as the lack of gas and oil is for Western Europe. As planting season approaches, you can bet farmers will be up in arms about the availability of synthetic fertilizers, without which it will be incredibly difficult for Europe to maintain food self-sufficiency.

silentnomad7 said:You just aren't paying attention...

It’s actually quite fascinating when you look at how much things have shifted lately... I was just thinking about how the Chinese have been pulling back, almost like they've been shuttering their storefronts across Russia over the last few months. It really makes you wonder what the long-term implications will be for global trade patterns... such a massive shift in momentum!

Honestly, even that wouldn't be much of a hurdle... you could just hop on a plane, fly straight over to China, and pick up a phone right there... turns out it's not that complicated at all...

Huawei has only closed a handful of stores,
and when you look at the global market, smartphone sales have dropped by about 9% anyway, so I don't see why Russia would be any different.
It's likely that phones are just becoming higher quality and lasting longer, plus that era of "phone mania" has passed—you know, back when every single teenager you saw on the street was glued to a screen.

I’ve actually been using my current device for quite a few years now, and the battery capacity is still sitting at 87%, which manages to last me two or three days, and I'm hoping it holds up for a few more years yet. 😉

And we can't forget how many other Chinese manufacturers are out there too.

swiftjackal11 said:Some people on the forum are really rooting for them

I can't say for sure if they're biased, but you can pretty much read anything you want into this PDF.

I'm honestly not sure which phone models the European Union is actually producing these days, because from everything I've seen, Apple lost that race to the East a long time ago.

It makes me wonder about the future of Europe; if they aren't manufacturing their own mobile devices, they're missing out, especially considering they're dealing with a market of 500 million people rather than just 140 million souls.☕

p.s.
Not to mention how tensions between China and the USA are ramping up, which really only makes it more likely that we'll see China moving closer to Russia.

goldenowl73 said:Actually, they don't even have that, so honestly, I highly doubt they're making them at all.

Russia's Sberbank re-uses bank card chips to combat shortage

They once tried their hand at putting together a smartphone, but even that project ended up being a total wash.

The company behind the dual-screen YotaPhone is bankrupt

They only managed to move about 75,000 units. They just couldn't catch a break or find any traction in the domestic, Western, or Eastern markets.

Truth be told, the YotaPhone hasn't exactly been all that relevant to the US — or even Russia — in recent years. The company failed to ship the YotaPhone 2 to the US in 2015 despite blowing past its Indiegogo crowdfunding goal, and by late 2016 it decided to pull out of Russia and Europe as well, shifting its operations to China instead.

I really, truly don't get how anyone can look at all this history and still be optimistic enough to think Russia is going to somehow achieve complete independence in this field within just five years. 🤦

It seems like the Russians really miscalculated here; now they'll likely find themselves turning to cheaper Chinese smartphones as their primary option. 😁

I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about the smartphone market, and I honestly find myself wondering if Chinese manufacturers are starting to pull ahead of Apple. It’s a fascinating shift to watch. For years, we all just accepted that the iPhone was the gold standard, the undisputed king of the hill, but lately, it feels like the gap is closing—or maybe it's already been crossed. When you look at the sheer innovation coming out of companies like Xiaomi or OnePlus, they seem to be pushing hardware boundaries much faster than Apple does. Whether it's the charging speeds, which make an iPhone feel ancient, or the cutting-edge camera sensors, there's a sense that the "underdogs" are actually setting the pace now. I remember sitting in a coffee shop in Seattle last month, chatting with a friend who had just picked up one of those high-end flagship models from overseas, and seeing his device in action really made me realize how much more freedom you get with the hardware. While Apple focuses on that polished, seamless ecosystem we all know so well, the competition seems to be winning on pure, raw capability. It makes me wonder if we're approaching a turning point where the iPhone might eventually just become the "safe," predictable choice rather than the most advanced one.

I think the main reason we’re seeing such a massive shift toward Chinese smartphones lately comes down to a pretty simple equation: you're getting hardware specifications that are almost identical to what you'd find in today's top-tier flagship devices, yet the price tag is often slashed by as much as 50% compared to what the big-name manufacturers are charging. I remember looking at my old phone a few years back and realizing how much I was paying just for a logo, whereas now, those budget-friendly alternatives from overseas offer that same snappy performance and high-end feel without the massive markup.

I was recently reading through some discussions regarding how to get the most value out of an iPhone, and it really got me thinking about the lifecycle of our tech. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need the latest model every single year, but if you approach it with a bit of intention, you can actually make a device last quite a while without feeling like you're stuck with ancient hardware. One thing I’ve noticed is that people often focus on the flashy new features—the camera upgrades or the slightly faster processor—but they overlook the practical stuff, like battery health and storage management. I remember back when I first switched over to my current phone, I was constantly frustrated by how quickly the storage filled up with photos and apps I barely used. I ended up spending more time managing files than actually enjoying the device. Now, I try to be much more disciplined about that from day one. If you're looking to buy an iPhone, there's a real sweet spot between buying the absolute newest flagship and grabbing something that's already three generations old. Aiming for a model that is just one or two years behind the current release usually gives you almost all the modern software support and performance benefits without paying that massive "new release" premium. It’s a bit like buying a slightly used car; the initial depreciation hits hard, but once that's settled, you're getting a high-quality machine for a much fairer price. Ultimately, it comes down to your own needs. If you're a professional photographer or someone who lives on their phone for work, investing in the top-tier models makes sense. But for the rest of us, being a bit more calculated about which version we pick can save a lot of money in the long run. It’s about finding that balance between staying current and being smart with your budget.

quietviper0 said:What does "squeeze out more Euros" actually mean here? In what way do the Russians walk away with extra Euros through this specific payment scheme? 🤔

The unit price is actually denominated in Euros, not Rubles, along with everything else. Based on what we know, it's pretty much tied to the TTF hub everywhere...
As for the exchange rate the bank uses to convert those Euros into Rubles, nobody in Europe is looking at it, let alone worrying about it, so when you combine that with the previous post about them "taking more Euros," the actual purpose behind it all remains a bit fuzzy to me...

That directive from back in the spring didn't actually mandate paying in Rubles. What it did was introduce a bit of marketing spin while simultaneously ensuring that one specific bank stays clear of sanctions, making sure those Euros don't get stuck in Europe but instead head straight toward Washington, D.C., via this supposed currency conversion...

So, I find myself wondering why this conversion is being treated as some sort of trick, and why none of us seem concerned about what exchange rate is being used? From our perspective, it honestly doesn't matter if they turn 1 Euro into 200 Rubles, or if they turn it into 60 and pocket an extra 140, or even if they turn it into 20 and just leave it at that... We aren't buying Rubles; they are simply conducting their own business however they see fit...
In short, it doesn't affect our pockets one way or the other...
A different scenario would be if we were actually forced to buy Rubles and if prices were strictly set in Rubles. There wouldn't be any open markets or free trading to fall back on; you'd just be at the mercy of whatever the central bank decides to offer. Personally, I don't think that's an unrealistic possibility to consider as we approach winter...

Basically, if you want gas, pay up, and the Russians will happily collect their Euros.
Meanwhile, Europe can just keep playing around with all these sanctions and blockades.☕

James Phillips92 said:Losa, the Switzerland comparison is a stretch. Remember when people said Canada would be organized like Switzerland? It’d probably be better if they compared them to Canada—though even that is being too kind, considering their neighbors are Russians.

You might have a point there, but I suspect Gerhard Schröder probably doesn't even realize the complexities involved in Canada. It isn't just about creating some sort of decentralized regional solution; it’s really about ensuring true equality among the three distinct groups living there.

dustyfalcon122 said:None of that is even remotely possible. First off, it never occurs to the Russians to actually stick to any agreements. Then there's the fact that these kinds of headlines are just pure propaganda meant to demonize Ukrainians, who have absolutely no intention of sitting down for negotiations with fascists who have zero intention of keeping their word. Plus, it implies giving up territory, which is something no Ukrainian wants to accept—nor do they have any reason to.
And even if it did work, it would just mean pausing the conflict for a few years before it starts up again.

The only real way to get peace is to push the Russians back into Russia. They can live however they want in their own version of North Korea and export their apples for all I care.

That’s just how you’re choosing to see it. 😉

The Cuban Missile Crisis was actually resolved in a very similar fashion, starting with a dialogue facilitated by a trusted intermediary close to Khrushchev.
You might want to check out one of those Hollywood films that gives a fairly detailed and accurate account of how that first "nuclear crisis" was actually settled.

Besides, I'm not quite sure where you're seeing a "loss of territory" in this proposal.

As for your "solution" of just kicking the Russians back to Russia—well, that requires a bit more backbone than what we've seen from NATO or Zelenskyy lately.
Especially considering how Nancy Pelosi has essentially pushed China even closer into a tighter "Russian embrace."

Gerhard Schröder has put forward a very solid proposal that I suspect Putin would actually be willing to accept

Schröder suggested that solutions for major sticking points, such as Crimea, could eventually emerge over time—not necessarily taking 99 years like they did in Hong Kong, but perhaps within the next generation. He proposed that instead of joining NATO, Ukraine could opt for an armed neutrality, much like the model used by Austria.

The future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which remains a central theater of intense fighting, would likely prove far more complicated to navigate, though.

"We will need to find a solution based on the Swiss cantonal model," he remarked, adding that it remains to be seen whether Putin will return to the previous "contact line" established during ceasefires.

Honestly, this is more than what Ukraine could reasonably expect to gain once all this destruction and loss of life finally settles. I can't help but think they might end up in a position similar to how America operated—playing both sides to secure various concessions or incentives so they wouldn't have to sink so much capital into massive military spending.
As for the Donbas, they could aim for a status similar to Switzerland, which has maintained long-term peace and boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Chloe Nguyen21 said:Come on, please, just let us in on the secret—who exactly is going to go broke in the "decaying" West? I mean, the Russians won't starve, but they're looking like a lost cause for the next fifty years, even if the war stops tomorrow and they pull back from Crimea and all of Ukraine. Russia is basically sliding right back into those early 90s vibes when the USSR collapsed. I remember that era pretty clearly because I actually had some serious business leads and contacts over there back then. I could have built a massive company here in the States just exporting to Russia since the market was absolutely starving for goods. I didn't pull the trigger, though, mostly because everything was such a mess and the Russian mafia was just starting to take shape 😁. It feels like we're seeing a sequel now, only the chaos and disorder will be way worse because the mafia is already established and deeply embedded in their government and social structures. I'm guessing Russia is headed for a "BIG BANG"... an internal collapse where everything just falls apart like a house of cards. Putin lit the fuse, and now we're just waiting for the bomb to go off.

I really think it might be time to get your crystal ball serviced or just buy a new one. That thing seems to be malfunctioning just like the Russian gas supply—it works sporadically, and the Russians don't seem to mind playing games with it
. You mentioned you could have started a business over there if it wasn't for the chaos
.
From where I'm sitting, things aren't exactly better here, and plenty of people happily opened businesses in Russia only to be forced to shut them down due to the sanctions
. I hear some people are still paying to keep their shell companies active, just hoping they can resume business as usual someday
. I ran into Smiley the other day; he was just shaking his head, and I couldn't tell if he was frustrated or just stunned after committing to a huge investment intended to expand his footprint in the Russian market
. But hey, someone stirred up the chaos, and now we have to wonder if his company will remain a top player in the US like it has been in recent years
.
Oh, without a doubt, Putin is responsible for everything; I heard he basically admitted that to a group of students one day 😉
.
Neo, you can sleep soundly knowing you didn't dive headfirst into that local mafia scene; you're staying close to home 😁
.

Chloe Nguyen21 said:Come on, please, just let us in on the secret—who exactly is going to go broke in the "decaying" West? I mean, the Russians won't starve, but they're looking like a lost cause for the next fifty years, even if the war stops tomorrow and they pull back from Crimea and all of Ukraine. Russia is basically sliding right back into those early 90s vibes when the USSR collapsed. I remember that era pretty clearly because I actually had some serious business leads and contacts over there back then. I could have built a massive company here in the States just exporting to Russia since the market was absolutely starving for goods. I didn't pull the trigger, though, mostly because everything was such a mess and the Russian mafia was just starting to take shape 😁. It feels like we're seeing a sequel now, only the chaos and disorder will be way worse because the mafia is already established and deeply embedded in their government and social structures. I'm guessing Russia is headed for a "BIG BANG"... an internal collapse where everything just falls apart like a house of cards. Putin lit the fuse, and now we're just waiting for the bomb to go off.

I honestly think it might be time to send your crystal ball in for repairs or just buy a new one. This one seems to be glitching just like the Russian gas supply—one minute it's working, the next it isn't, and the Russians certainly don't mind playing those games.
You mentioned you could have started a business there but passed because of the instability.

From what I can see, things aren't much better on our side; plenty of people rushed to open businesses in Russia, only to be forced to shut them down once the sanctions hit.
I hear some people are still paying to keep their shell companies alive, just hoping they can get back to business as usual someday.
I ran into Usmijani the other day, and he was just shaking his head; I couldn't tell if he was frustrated or just stunned, especially since he made such a huge investment to expand his footprint in the Russian market
But hey, someone stirred up the chaos, and now we're left wondering if his company will remain a leader in the industry like it has been in recent years.

Well, there's no doubt about it—Putin is responsible for everything; he actually "confessed" that to a group of students one day.😉

And honestly, you can't blame anyone for staying cautious; you don't just jump headfirst into a situation involving that kind of organized crime. Better to stay home.😁

Joshua Bishop3 said:Look, take ExxonMobil as an example—they shut down their production stations for maintenance every single year between July and September. It usually lasts about a week, where they basically seal off all the wells, take the load off the stations, and run through all the necessary servicing and inspections. Once that's wrapped up, they just bring the wells back online one by one.

So honestly, there is absolutely zero issue here.
The only exception is those few specific wells where there’s actually a risk of the strata collapsing; in those cases, they pull them out of production and hook them up to a mobile separator or just flare the gas during that window. But I'm telling you, we're talking about maybe 1-2% of the total.

As for this whole nonsense about how once you shut a well down, you can't restart it because the gas somehow "spoils"... please, that is straight-up fairy tale stuff for toddlers.

👍 👍

It is refreshing to finally see a few expert, intelligent posts on this topic instead of just the constant trolling that usually dominates this thread.
Once again, 👍

I actually have a former classmate from my engineering days who spent his entire career working for ExxonMobil, both domestically and all over the world. We haven't caught up in quite a while, but he used to describe things in a very similar way to what you're saying here.
Regarding the other matter, I won't speculate much, but it's becoming increasingly obvious just how "successful" these sanctions are proving to be and who is ultimately going to end up feeling the squeeze.

silentnomad7 said:Medical experts actually suggest that sleeping in a room kept around 65 or 66 degrees Fahrenheit is much better for you than cranking the AC up to 72 or higher...

Doctors also mention that showering every single day isn't exactly the healthiest habit for our skin.

Honestly, Americans are dealing with some serious obesity issues right now; I truly believe having a little one running around the house would do wonders for everyone's health and overall well-being...

Well said!

People also swear by ice baths, claiming they can completely revitalize both your physical health and your mental clarity.
If things keep going the way they are, within a couple of winters, hospitals across Europe will be overflowing, and doctors might just pack up and head over to the States to focus on treating the obesity epidemic.🙏

gentlestag15 said:Honestly, just take a hike. You posted a link about domestic and federal debt
and tried to present it all as if it were just foreign debt
look at this, INA is building 8 new gas platforms in the Gulf 🎉
https://hr.n1info.com/biznis/ina-ula...ernom-jadranu/

America imported 21% of its gas from Russia last year
we aren't dependent like Germany is, so stop making such a massive drama over the gas situation

Just imagine, with an investment of this scale, we could cover about 30% to 40% of our own needs.🤦
That’s a 10% increase compared to what we'd have without those "wealthy" offshore reserves.
I really think you should try reading the actual article you linked.

which, once completed, will raise the share of domestic natural gas production in American consumption from 30% to 40%.

o

silentnomad7 said:I’ve heard there are significant gas deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean too. They won't get the drilling started this year, but by next year? Well, that changes everything...

That sounds great,
if it means starting next year we'll be relying on Turkish gas, especially since Erdogan is such a close ally. 😁

Carl Lee27 said:Russia is basically running their entire operation off energy sales—I mean, let’s be honest, it’s pretty much the only thing they have left that actually matters. It’s funding absolutely everything over there, from the war in Ukraine and all their imports to pensions, salaries, and even basic road repairs. And despite what some people here keep parroting like a bunch of mindless parrots, those sanctions are actually working, which is actually making their reliance on energy sales even more extreme. Last year, those sales accounted for about 40% of their federal budget, but now? They've already climbed up to 60%. It's wild when you really look at the numbers.

Sanctions definitely work, though I can't help but feel it would be quite beneficial if we had some applied to us too.

We've been struggling for years trying to get more American-made products onto our local store shelves, yet it seems like they managed to solve that particular issue in Russia in just a few months.