ENERGY SECURITY CRUCIAL FOR STABILITY
OF FINANCIAL MARKETS - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OPEC, EU, Russia, USA Review Security of Energy Supplies
at
Roundtable of UNECE Committee on Sustainable Energy
Rising tensions in the Middle East, new attacks on oil tankers, terrorist
operations in major oil producers could have profound effects on global energy
markets. The implications of these developments on the energy security and
sustainable development have been reviewed today by key experts in Geneva
at a Roundtable organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE).
"There is enough oil and gas for the foreseeable future for
rich countries and for poor countries with rising energy demands. OPEC has
increased oil production in the past when it was needed during international
crises. Forecasters agree that oil and gas will make up 60 per cent of world
energy consumption in 2020. We need increased dialogue between governments
and producers to ensure the development of stable markets in the years ahead"
said HE Mr. Alvaro Silva-Calderon, Secretary General of OPEC.
Mr. Robert C. McFarlane, former National Security
Adviser to President Ronald Reagan, Chairman and CEO, Energy and
Communication Solutions, New York, offered solutions to provide for greater
energy security through developing alternative energy technologies such as
fuel cells; reducing consumption through higher fuel efficiency standards;
and bringing on-line additional sources of production from Russia and the
Caspian Sea. In the international context, he mentioned that "the overthrow
or collapse of the Saudi regime would have a profoundly disruptive effect
on global energy markets involving immediate price spikes, short-term chaos
in global capital markets and sustained political and economic instability.
This instability would worsen as US military intervention is launched to restore
order."
"The European Commission Green Paper on Energy Security showed
that energy security is closely linked to sustainable energy development.
Increasing the energy efficiency of European Union countries will also reduce
environmental pollution and help fulfil EU commitments under the Kyoto Protocol"
said Mr. Cristobal Burgos Alonso, Head of Security of Energy Supply,
European Commission. He outlined the extensive European Commission
programmes for energy security, the development of renewable energy sources
and energy efficiency.
"Russian oil reserves and the new capacities in partnership
with the West can provide an alternative to OPEC nations in supplying the
USA and West Europe with energy. Provided everything goes well and the various
projects are realized, also with the price of oil being not lower than $ 20
and situation in the world being favourable, Russia will be able to build
up its export to the USA up to the level of one million barrels a day" said
Mr. Togrul Bagirov, Executive Vice President, Moscow International
Petroleum Club, Moscow, on behalf of Russian oil companies including Lukoil.
"The oil market will continue to be influenced by new sources
of supply in the decade ahead. The role of the CIS, specifically Russia and
Kazakhstan, will be crucial in this. The CIS hold some 35% of the non-OPEC
oil reserves with the Caspian area having significant potential. The countries
of the CIS look set to see continued significant growth in oil production.
However, the key challenge will be to ensure sufficient investment to bring
that energy to consumers" said Mr. Ged Davis, Vice-President, Global
Business Environment, Shell International Limited.
* * *
The panellists for the Round Table were: HE Mr. Alvaro
Silva-Calderon, Secretary General, OPEC, Vienna; Mr. Robert
C. McFarlane, former National Security Adviser to President Ronald
Reagan, Chairman and CEO, Energy and Communication Solutions, New York; Mr.
Cristobal Burgos Alonso, Head of Security of Energy Supply, European
Commission, Brussels; Mr. Sergei Balashov, First Deputy to
a Board Member, Gazprom, Moscow; Mr. Togrul Bagirov, Executive
Vice President, Moscow International Petroleum Club, Moscow, on behalf of
Russian oil companies including Lukoil; Mr. Ged Davis, Vice-President,
Global Business Environment, Shell International Limited, London; Mr.
Benjamin Zycher, Senior Economist, RAND Corp, Santa Monica, California;
and Mr. Helmut Warsch, Director, Framatom ANP, Erlangen.
For more information please contact:
Mr. Frederic Romig
Division for Sustainable Energy
United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE)
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41(0)22 917 24 10, 917 24 07
Fax: +41(0)22 917 02 27, 917 00 38
E-mail: [email protected] |
Mr. Sead Vilogorac
Division for Sustainable Energy
United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE)
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41(0)22 917 24 62
Fax: +41(0)22 917 00 38
E-mail: [email protected] |