News
Iran Sanctions: Right Intent, Wrong Approach
European Energy Review, 16. 02. 2012
While the oil boycott the US and EU have instituted against Iran is understandable, in view of the repulsive nature of the Iranian regime, it will end up hurting the West rather than the rulers in Tehran, argues Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College London. According to Pflüger, the West should deal with Iran the way it dealt with the Soviet Union during the Cold War: with a policy of containment and cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. “While the dangers and malicious character of the ruling regime should not be watered down, stronger economic cooperation, like for instance the ‘gas for pipes’ deal in 1970 between Germany and Russia, should be pursued.”
The Southern Gas Corridor: Reaching the Home Stretch
European Energy Review, 12 January 2012
The lengthy speculation about the so-called Southern Gas Corridor, the seemingly endless discussions about various pipeline concepts, and their geopolitical meaning and economic feasibility will soon come to an end. The different projects have numerous stakeholders including transit governments, gas buyers, transportation companies and their shareholders and, last but not least, international financial institutions, as some of the segments will likely be project-financed. Given the strong need for alignment, coordination and planning security, combined with the availability of 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Shah Deniz Phase II gas which will need to come on stream 2018-20, there is no scope left for yet further speculation. When taking all the pro and contra arguments of the specific pipeline projects downstream of Turkey into consideration, the most likely winner, at least for the time being, will not be Nabucco, the Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy (ITGI), or South Stream (the alleged Southern Gas Corridor ‘spoiler’); rather, it will most likely be the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).
A New Great Game – The E.U., China, and the era of energy imperialism
European Energy Review, 5 December 2011
The dominant conflict in geopolitics in this century is the scramble for energy, raw materials, and water. The nationalism, colonialism and imperialism of the 19th century is back. Europe has to engage strategically in competition for scarce resources as the world population— and its energy demands—continue to grow. A new Great Game is already in full swing in the near and Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia. New players have joined who were on the sidelines of the Cold War’s bipolar order: Brazil, India, Canada, and—far above all others—
China. Despite the global financial crisis, the Middle Kingdom has…
New stability and prospects for Kurdish oil and gas
European Energy Review, 5 December 2011
ExxonMobil has become the world’s first major international oil company to venture into Iraqi Kurdistan. ExxonMobil’s bold move may be seen as a validation of investor confidence in Iraqi Kurdistan’s economic progress. It may even signify that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is inching closer to reaching an agreement with the central government in Baghdad on the long-standing dispute over the ownership and revenue sharing of the region’s hydrocarbon resources. It is high time for European policymakers and businesses to start engaging themselves with Iraqi Kurdistan – as the US, Turkey, Japan and Korea are already doing.
Russia and Europe: Time to bury the hatchet – and embrace the market
European Energy Review, 20. October 2011
In the current economic climate, strong energy ties between Russia and Europe could be beneficial to both sides. But an intensive energy relationship can only work if it is based on equality, argues Professor Dr. Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College London, and former State Secretary in the first Merkel government. The EU should make it clear that it will not discourage Russian pipeline and downstream investments in the European market – if Russia makes it clear it is willing to play by the European rules.
Article in our archive:
Speeches by Prof. Dr. Friedbert Pflüger in the German Bundestag.
Video Archive of the German BundestagProtocols of the German Bundestag
