1st Edition

EU Energy Security in the Gas Sector Evolving Dynamics, Policy Dilemmas and Prospects

By Filippos Proedrou Copyright 2012
    192 Pages
    by Routledge

    192 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book fills an important gap in the literature on energy security in the gas sector in the European Union. Whilst the emphasis is often on energy security in the oil sector, the gas sector has grown in importance in recent decades, with increasing liberalization raising critical questions for the security of gas supplies. The share of gas in Europe's energy mix is rising and the differences between the politics and economics of gas and oil supply are becoming more pronounced. The author sheds light on the state of EU energy security in the gas sector, its interdependence with external suppliers and the current gas strategy. He examines the role of energy companies, EU member-states and EU institutions, locates the main developments in the gas sector and focuses on the principal challenges posed by such fundamental changes. The author scrutinizes the EU's relations with its main gas supplier, Russia, as well as with alternative suppliers, elaborates on the key infrastructure projects on the table and their principal ramifications, and discusses the main policies that member-states pursue to achieve energy security as well as the EU's internal contradictions. The book concludes with policy recommendations, particularly in the light of tougher environmental regulation.

    Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 The Global Context and the Strategies of the Main Importing States; Chapter 3 EU Energy Security; Chapter 4 The Internal Front; Chapter 5 Relations with Russia; Chapter 6 Relations with the Other Producers; Chapter 7 The Way Forward;

    Biography

    Filippos Proedrou is a Lecturer in International Relations in City College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield and DEI College, A registered Centre of the University of London International Programs, Greece

    'A fascinating and comprehensive analysis of the major issues at stakes for the future of the EU Energy Security Policy in the Gas Sector. This book offers a detailed assessment of the main achievements by the EU in that field, and soundly highlights the necessary interaction between both internal and external dimensions of the EU energy security policy for gas. It also identifies the right challenges for the EU in the long term.' Sami Andoura, Senior Research Fellow, Notre Europe, France 'Filippos Proedrou’s study is for anyone interested in understanding the European Union’s present energy situation, particularly the gas sector. The book is a well-summarized monograph that deals with salient themes of the EU’s energy security... skilfully weaving facts into a coherent narrative. Proedrou is clearly well-read in energy and international relations; particularly with regard to the gas sector, the complex narrative of the EU’s internal rift due to its intergovernmental and supranational character is tied in well... Overall, this is a solid book when it comes to consolidating facts, records, and reports in a single study.' Slovo