Energy & Utilities Outlook - Five factors that will shape the future of European Utilities: Predictions for 2007 and beyond

Table of Contents

• DATAMONITOR VIEW
  • CATALYST
  • As security of supply issues move to the fore against a backdrop of rising oil prices and political tensions, the role of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), and its potential role as a cartel, grow.
  • SUMMARY
  • A number of gas consumers, particularly those heavily dependent on imports, have expressed fears that the GECF has the potential to emerge as a gas version of OPEC. Behind these fears are concerns that any such emergence of a gas cartel will bring with it price spikes and a detrimental impact to energy supply security. However, despite these concerns it is increasingly apparent that the GECF lacks the necessary cohesion and required structural factors to emerge as a gas cartel, despite the agendas of some of its members.
  • METHODOLOGY
• ANALYSIS
  • The GECF is a loosely defined group of gas producers seeking to represent and benefit their mutual interests
  • The combined strength of the GECF members represents a significant proportion of gas production
  • Collectively the GECF controls the majority of global gas reserves
  • The production and reserve positions of GECF members varies widely
  • The role of gas in the overall hydrocarbon production mix is another area of considerable difference amongst GECF members
  • A wide divergence exists in the stages of economic growth and development as reached by GECF members
  • There are a number of structural and political factors making it unlikely that the GECF will emerge as a gas OPEC
  • The future role and influence of the GECF will remain limited
• APPENDIX
  • Further reading
  • Ask the analyst
  • List of Figures
    • Figure 1: GECF production
    • Figure 2: GECF reserves
    • Figure 3: GECF Production versus Reserves
    • Figure 4: GECF Oil and Gas Production (2005)
    • Figure 5: GECF Per Capita GDP Levels (2005)