Securing the Future: Making Gas Interdependence Work

Attracting up to 55 delegates from 20 countries, the study concluded that an interdependent Russian-European gas relationship can be beneficial for both sides provided certain steps are taken to protect those ties.

Securing the Future: Making Gas Interdependence Work features our multiclient study, which grew out of a series of workshops about the future of the Russian-European gas relationship. These workshops, held in 2007, brought together industry, government and related stakeholders to debate the critical issues of interdependency against the backdrop of Western Europe's intentions to liberalize its gas markets.

The study attempted to bring some clarity to the debate over gas security, which is characterized by two opposing views - liberalization and interdependency. One side sees security in increased competition facilitating global gas imports, while the other half envisions security in the form of long-term contracts, particularly with Russia. Participants concluded that the two options are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Exporting Russian gas to Europe continues to promise a cost-effective, reliable, and beneficial business relationship for all parties. However, some liberalization should go forward as strong evidence exists already that new market structures have begun to benefit end users.

Subscribers to this service receive:

• Special report and executive summary

Securing the Future: Making Gas Interdependence Work enables clients to:

• Set realistic expectations concerning the future of European gas markets
• Become informed about a wide range of issues surrounding European gas security
• Gather insights from transparent, consistent, and useful dialogue among the various stakeholders

Table of Contents for Securing the Future: Making Gas Interdependence Work

I. Summary: Key Policy Implications 

II. Market and Policy Overview
III. Europe's Energy Balance—Alternatives and Complements
IV. Russian Gas Supply and Transportation Outlook
V. Russia's Presence in the New Europe
VI. Possible 'Next Generation' Outcomes
VII. European Gas Liberalization: The Perspective from Russia
VIII. Recommendations for European Gas Security

• Will proposed gas market reforms help or hinder energy security for Europe and its suppliers?
• How can balance be achieved between Europe's interest in reliable gas supplies and Russia's concerns over secure gas demand?
• What are the alternatives to Russian gas, and to what extent can they reduce European dependence on Russian gas?
• How will Russia equilibrate its domestic and export gas markets?
• What are Russia's options in developing the next generation of gas supply?

IHS CERA research experts

Project advisor 

Daniel Yergin, CERA Chairman

Project directors 

Simon Blakey, CERA Senior Director, 

Thane Gustafson, CERA Senior Director of Russian and Caspian Energy

Project team

Shankari Srinivasan, CERA Senior Director, European Gas 

Anne-Sophie Corbeau, CERA Associate Director
Jean-Marie Chevalier, CERA Senior Associate
Matthew J. Sagers, Senior Director, Energy Economics, Eurasia and Eastern Europe
Albert Bressand, Special Advisor to EU Commissioner for Energy
Christine A. Telyan, CERA Associate, Russian and Caspian Energy
Matt Brown, CERA Director, European Power
Katherine Hardin, CERA Director for Caspian Research