ENERGY ISSUES

CUBA & ENERGY: A news chronology

Fidel Castro opposes ethanol production from food sources, but is careful not to alienate Brazil (Oct. 2007)
Despite Cuba's own steps to revive its crippled sugar industry by switching to ethanol production, Fidel Castro has been quite vocal in his criticism of "the sinister idea of converting food into fuel". The ailing president's censure was aimed mainly at United States production of biofuels extracted from corn and soybean, but a shadow of disapproval has stretched over to Cuba's friend and ally, Brazil.

CUBA, OIL & NATIONAL SECURITY: A Special Report (Aug. 2006)
Three years ago, Cuba announced the discovery of oil reserves off its northwest coast. Since then it has crafted an increasingly sophisticated energy development plan for exploiting these resources and struck deals with a growing list of international partners. As global demand for energy has expanded and prices skyrocketed, Cuba's oil discoveries have garnered increased interest from American policy analysts, oil companies, and a widening number of U.S. government officials. All this has also raised questions about how it might alter the 44-year U.S. trade embargo against the Castro regime.

ENERGY EXPLORATION IN CUBA: PowerPoint presentations from the Cuban government
1. CUPET, the Cuban Oil Company
2. Current Status of Exploration
3. Cuba Economic Exclusive Zone in the Gulf of México
4. Legal Framework: Production Sharing Contact
5. Regulations for exploration and Production Activities
6. Cuban Electric Industry
7. Onshore Exploration
8. Technology and Services for Exploration and Production
9. U.S.-Cuba Energy Summit