Hello Petersburger,

Your quote:  "My guess is there are lengthy meetings being held in Kremlin and Gazprom HQ right now to sort out the situation."

If this is true, and I do not doubt it: I would also say there are lengthy meetings being held in Euro-capitals, China, US, Iran, etc.  Virtually everyone, at this late stage before the Peak, has a vital interest in this huge natgas supply and the Turkmenistan politics. Unfortunately, I fear it could get pretty ugly as the 'Great Game' shifts pieces to move towards depletion checkmate.

I remember Turkmenbashi had heart problems [No wonder after reading this keypost!]  Putin's Silovicki, along with all the other operating mafias, plus all the contending governments would be enough to give anyone a heart attack.

Nonetheless,  I recommend tests for Polonium-210 and other exotica.  Billion$$$$ in pipeline flows & direction could depend on the outcome.  Peakoil is incredibly more interesting than any Tom Clancy novel!  I sincerely hope Turkmenistan politics can be smoothly resolved, but the arrest of one leader already is a very bad sign, IMO.

Bob Shaw in Phx,Az  Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

BTW, great and detailed post on such short notice, HO!  Your fingers must have been flying across the keyboard to bang this out so quickly.  I am going to REDDIT now!
I recommend tests for Polonium-210

I just said the same thing to my wife!  Could it be there will be wars abroad without the US starting problems...(Hmmmm).