Netflix has pulled an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj from its Saudi Arabian service after a complaint from the Saudi government as the show covers the Saudi Crown Prince's alleged involvement in the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the kingdom's war with Yemen. The Saudi Government cited its anti-cyber law in its removal request, specifically Article 6, which appears to have nothing to do with the content of the show other than that the Saudis are embarrassed. Given the Streisand effect, it is likely that more people will now see the show than otherwise would have.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Thursday January 03 2019, @03:45PM (3 children)
I wonder if the "oil crisis" was actually manufactured by the oil industry to drive up prices. All it would take is a factor of 4-10 mis-estimation of reserves, which is probably within the noise bars of most of their prospecting data:
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 03 2019, @04:38PM (2 children)
That's a very stupid comment right there.
1. Reserve sizes are directly related to valuation of these companies
2. Killing one's own valuation while boosting competitor's is not exactly good policy
3. It's illegal
4. #1-#3 is non-profitable
What you should realize is that technology changes. What once were non-accessible oil became accessible. Even things like horizontal drilling allows for access to resources that before would be nonviable. Finally, there are rules (laws) about how these reserves are to be counted.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 03 2019, @06:35PM
What about the new areas they keep discovering. One north of Australia. Another in the disputed area china is trying to claim by occupying.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @07:34AM
If you are not selling the company, why would you give a shit about its 'valuation'. You care about the dividends.
Anyway, driving down the share price would even allow you to buy more shares with the extra profits you get by driving up oil prices.
If you do need to sell, you announce the 'corrected' reserves first. Share price takes a major jump, you sell, and its not even insider trading because you sold after the info was public.