“Gas OPEC”: opportunities and prospects

“Gas OPEC”: opportunities and prospects

Table of contents

Introduction 3
              Basis for alliance 4
              The GECF and OPEC: similarities and differences 6
              Opponents and supporters of a "gas OPEC" 7
Conclusion 10
References 11

Introduction
The subject of this study is the current situation in the gas market and the increasing role of gas in the world energy.
The topic is the idea of creating a “gas OPEC”, its opportunities and prospects.
The thesis is that although a single global gas market is just beginning to form, the world’s leading gas producing countries already want to coordinate their actions and the focus of their attention is not only the gas pricing, but also the directions of exports, the coordination of volumes of gas production and transportation, new projects and technologies.  
This thesis is important and worth considering since the consumption of gas and accordingly the demand for gas are surging in the world. This requires the coordination and security of energy supply from leading gas producing countries. Although gas producers have recently proceeded to discuss the idea of creating a “gas OPEC” as an organization of gas cooperation, it is now a topical issue and widely covered in the Russian and foreign press.
The general purpose of this study is to identify whether the creation of a “gas OPEC” is possible in the future. Specific tasks include, first of all, the considering of the goals and membership structure of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as a possible basis for alliance. Secondly, some gas consumers, namely the USA and countries of the EU, are worried that the GECF may evolve into a cartel like OPEC. Therefore, it is reasonable to analyze the similarities and differences between the GECF and OPEC. Thirdly, as the idea of creating a “gas OPEC” is a contradictory issue, it is necessary to consider the standpoints of its opponents and supporters, gas consuming and gas producing countries.  
The specific...