Asadal: A Call for Energy #2 Rayyu

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Gyeongseon, Great Kingdom of Asadal

The delegation from the Rayyu Sovereign Oil arrived to the Gyeongseon International Aiport. A helicopter was already prepared for them. State Councillor Mangjul, who had professional experience in the energy sector, was waiting from the guests from Rayyu.

They had been informed that their visit may require more than a few days, given the ambitious nature of their bid. For that reason, they were invited to visit the capital city, Hwangjin, as one government official was interested to interview them personally. Before that, State Councillor Mangjul was instructed to receive them, inform them of the expectations, and show the state of the infrastructures and current investment in the location they planned to operate.

[Rayyu]

Prince Talaat Muhsin knew very little about the gas and oil business but he did now how to read a balance sheet. The 26 year old younger brother of Emir Sulaiman had proven to be a shrewd business man in his short career running various enterprises to boost the families income and that of the sovereign wealth fund. His position as President of Rayyu Sovereign Oil was largely a political one and his day to day involvement was negligible but this deal had the potential to be a big one for the Emirate and so his big brother had urged him to come along.

Zubair Kader was the Chief Executive Officer of Rayyu Sovereign Oil and it would be him who would be responsible for the real business talk. He'd been in position for five years now having taken over the role from his own older brother who now was enjoying his time as Finance Minister. Zubair was confident that a deal was there to be struck and was excited at the opportunity.

Abdelkader Salih was one of the Chief Engineers at the company, he had overseen the sinking of at least twenty on land wells and a further three at sea. He'd started as a young 17 year old apprentice on the drilling floor and ended up first getting taken onto the managers course and then several other interesting learning opportunities, now at the age of 50 he was one of the companies most respected voices on technical matters and the ideal candidate to join this process.

Prince Talaat lead the way into the airport, his dark black suited topped with a green and white headscarf. "State Councillor Mangjul" he extended a hand, "As-salamu alaikum and thank you for inviting us to your country. We are all very excited for what you have instore for us. We would like to thank you for your hospitality" The Prince handed over a gift wrapped box containing various sweet gifts. "We are in your hands." He finished happy to get underway

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"Welcome", State Councillor Mangjul said with a smile while bowing slightly with a smile. He waited until they were led to the helicopter outside to open what had been offered to him. "A very gracious gift", Mangjul said, rather surprised by the content of the box.

A first minutes later, the helicopter was able to take off. "I assume you were able to observe it as your plane approached the airport, of course, but that's the western side of Gyeongseon, the largest city in our Great Kingdom", he explained. "There", he explained again as their helicopter was about the southern flank, "at the other side of the river, it is one of the largest refineries in the country. If you are curious, I'll be happy to show it on our way back".

"This is the large Geonjohangong Desert", he explained as they moved a few kilometres away from the surrounding urban centers. "The main natural gas and oil reserves are found here. We are hoping to increase our production in the coming years. Logistics, however, have posed some obstacles to that in the last decades, due to orography, and particularly by the large variation of temperatures, more than eighty degrees through the year. To this date, the extraction of oil here, in the Bukjjeo region, is mostly for national consumption, not importation. While there is the possibility to build pipelines which reach Cassiopeia through the east, and even connecting with the western Hwangsaeggi region through the Sesogjeongnamjjog pass, which would be able to reach Lijiang through Gungju, was considered too costly due to the elevation and irregular terrain".

"Finally, there in the horizon, you can see the Mount Moseoli, which has become one important tourist attraction in recent years", he explained. "At the other side, it starts the Baekje Plateau, on its northeastern side, where the Yeogaehanam region is located. The region is considerable smaller and their reserves may not be as vast as the ones found here, and although the terrain and climate poses similar challenges, the reduced size poses fewer obstacles for the transport of energy in both directions".

"If you haven't any question", State Councillor Mangjul suggested, "we may start our way back".

[Rayyu]

Prince Talaat gazed down on the landscape below them and the refinery. "We'd love to see it. It'd give us an idea of the kind of scale and infrastructure we're dealing with." Abdelkader Salih was looking down and doing his best to scribble down some notes as they flew. No doubt they'd feature into the advice he'd give the business brains later on in the trip.

Salih was though the one to comment on the desert, "If you're thinking of building a pipeline through a desert there are two nations who are old hands at that, us and the Seleucid. The vast majority of our nation is desert and we've pipelines everywhere. One of the advantages you'd have selecting us is that this is simply a case of distance, the other conditions are all things we've faced and overcome. If you want it connecting to other nations then welll once your politicians have set out arrangements between the two of you then we're ready to build it."

Zubair Kader was the man with much more understanding of the business elements than the others. "In terms of heading towards Lijiang there is an issue there potentially. That is the Seleucid influence. I can't be certain what arrangements they have with Lijiang but I know that they had an arrangement to help Lijiang access some reserves of their own and also send oil from Royal Seleucid in exchange for long life foodstuffs such as rice. Now we have good connections with the Seleucid but I wonder what arrangements you have in place regarding deals such as that?"

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The helicopter descended for a brief tour in one of the refineries. The refinery was not exactly technologically up to date to the highest standards of the industry, but still the most advanced one which could be found in the country.

"We are hopeful that such arrangements could become possible", State Councillor Mangjul told Salih. "We are aware of the reputation your nation has in this sector".

"I can not say there are advanced negotiations with the Lijiang government on this issue", State Councillor Mangjul replied, "but we're hoping that we will be able to reach an agreement with them on this issue and others we would like to improve in our relationship. However, I am not too familiar with the situation as that kind of diplomatic initiative is not my competence".

"If you're ready, we can come back", he added. "A plane awaits us. You'll be able to discuss better this issue with the Chief State Councillor in Hwangjin, our capital city. He has informed personally that he will be pleased and honoured to meet you".