The Future Of Gas In The Gulf

Examines both the possibilities and the problems of the Gulf energy sector in the global context. This book outlines possible scenarios for the future of Iraqi oil, highlights policy options for Saudi Arabia as a swing producer, and focuses on the Norwegian experience of economic diversification.

This work provides assessments and analyses of the future relationship of oil and gas to the world economy, and offers policy recommendations for the Gulf region. The potential threats to the Gulf position in the world oil market and the need for economic

The predominance of oil as the world’s main source of energy, coupled with the recent phenomenal growth of the natural gas industry spurred by environmental considerations, ensure that the Gulf’s energy sector will continue to play a pivotal role in the global market. With world demand projected to reach unprecedented levels led by Asian economic powers such as China and India, oil production peaking in key areas and geopolitical crises fueling greater uncertainty, issues of global supply security have come to the fore. All these factors have led to a steep rise in petroleum prices, filling the coffers of the oil producers but threatening to paralyze the global economy and imposing a heavy burden on the ultimate consumers. In this energy scenario, where does the Gulf oil and gas sector stand? How can it meet its long-term strategic requirements while satisfying the energy needs of the global economy? This was the main focus of the ECSSR Tenth Annual Energy Conference on The Gulf Oil and Gas Sector: Potential and Constraints, held in Abu Dhabi, from September 26–27, 2004. The conference presentations of the energy experts compiled in this book examine both the possibilities and the problems of the Gulf energy sector in the wider global context. Important energy issues covered include the future prospects of OPEC, the impact of world oil prices on global growth, the strategic objectives of the Gulf energy sector, the influence of markets and technology on regional reserves, the emerging partnerships between national and international oil companies, the imperatives for attracting Gulf energy investment and new developments in gas technology and regional gas trade. Regional case studies outline possible scenarios for the future of Iraqi oil, highlight policy options for Saudi Arabia as a swing producer and focus on the Norwegian experience of economic diversification.

The waste of oil and gas in the Gulf erodes economic resilience and increases security risks. This is the first report to offer practical recommendations that address the key challenges of governance, political commitment, and market incentives from the perspectives of member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE).

It has often been said that generals prepare for the next war by re-fighting the last. The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was unlike any previous – an underwater well blowout 1,500 meters deep. Much has been learned in the wake of DWH and these lessons should in turn be applied to both similar oil spill scenarios and those arising from “frontier” explorations by the marine oil industry. The next deep oil well blowout may be at 3,000 meters or even deeper. This volume summarizes regional (Gulf of Mexico) and global megatrends in marine oil exploration and production. Research in a number of key areas including the behavior of oil and gas under extreme pressure, impacts on biological resources of the deep sea, and the fate of oil and gas released in spills is synthesized. A number of deep oil spills are simulated with detailed computer models, and the likely effects of the spills and potential mitigation measures used to combat them are compared. Recommended changes in policies governing marine oil exploration and development are proposed, as well as additional research to close critical and emerging knowledge gaps. This volume synthesizes state-of-the-art research in deep oil spill behavior and response. It is thus relevant for government and industry oil spill responders, policy formulators and implementers, and academics and students desiring an in-depth and balanced overview of key issues and uncertainties surrounding the quest for deep oil and potential impacts on the environment.

Originally published in 1985. This book gives the views of both oil producers and oil consumers, detailing in a systematic manner the problems that they have encountered in the energy field and the solutions that they have devised to deal with them. The book makes clear that producers and consumers have common purpose in the conservation and judicious management of the dwindling and non-renewable world oil resources. It also makes clear that they share a consistent vision of the industry’s future development. The contributions to the book explore a range of important themes in the development of the energy sector. The future of OPEC is discussed in the context of the state of the world oil market. Other chapters consider the lessons that have been drawn by the Arab Gulf oil producers and throughout the book there is comparison with the experience of Canada providing a number of important insights into the operation of the world oil industry.