One of the things I find puzzling about the whole oil market discussion is how complicated people seem to make it.
The decision to buy into Kashagan may have stemmed from that discussion, oil industry specialists say.
But the new American sanctions, along with an oil embargo under discussion in Europe, aim to undercut the government by squeezing its most important source of revenue: oil sales.
The discussions of social issues were only one portion of a menu that covered a remarkably wide variety of straightforward business questions like "the future of oil," through promotional discussions of individual countries, and on to subjects like the benefits of spontaneous singing.
Organized olive oil tasting with discussions on what makes a fantastic olive oil, as well as going out to the olive trees and watching a demonstration of olive removal from the trees with an explanation from the blue-eyed owner and farmer Massimo Donati.
Lengthy discussion of oil politics, and Saudi oil policy, which has become meshed with Saudi foreign policy.
A serious discussion of oil's future must address whether we can defang the worldwide oil cartel or whether we will continue to be soaked financially for the foreseeable future.
"The whole process was a political game but it's vital that the discussion (about oil drilling) continues.
But the country, which has to import all its gas and oil, needs a broader discussion about energy policy.
It suggests a pause, time and space to allow thinking and encourage discussion as oil and logging companies now sit perched at the edge of Arajuno's territory.
Over time, currency emerges as the most mentioned of the topics of discussion but oil, the EU, and taxation have also been frequent matters of debate.
