Founded in 1982, the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies is a Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford.

Its unique multidisciplinary expertise allows it to examine the economics, the politics and the sociology of energy with a focus on oil and natural gas. Its research spans the international relations between producers and consumers of energy; the economic development of producing nations and the geo-political aspects of all these issues alongside the economics and politics of the environment in relation to energy, including climate change. The Institute’s intellectual independence places it firmly at the centre of the dialogue between consumers and producers, government and industry, academics and policy makers. The Institute serves a worldwide audience with its research and continues to inform understanding of all major energy issues today.


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Latest Publications


Rosneft – On the Road to Global NOC Status?

Published: 19th January 2012
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Since the election of Vladimir Putin as president of Russia in 2000 Rosneft has become one of the cornerstones of the strategy for the Russian state to retake control over the ‘commanding heights’ of the economy, and in particular the energy sector.  However, having now established itself as a global-scale oil company, Rosneft faces a [...]

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Categories / Country and Regional Studies, Energy Economics, Finance, Oil, Oil & Middle East Programme, Working Papers, Working Papers

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The Impact of a Globalising Market on Future European Gas Supply and Pricing: the Importance of Asian Demand and North American Supply

Published: 9th January 2012
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In contrast to the majority of European gas analysis which has tended to concentrate on security issues narrowly defined as dependence on Russian gas supplies, this study shows how changes in North American gas supply and Asian gas demand over the next 15 years can create fundamentally different outcomes for European supply, demand and pricing. [...]

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Categories / Country and Regional Studies, Energy and the Environment, Energy Security, Gas, Gas Programme, Working Papers, Working Papers

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The Outlook for U.S. Gas Prices in 2020: Henry Hub at $3 or $10?

Published: 21st December 2011
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In this paper Michelle Foss concludes that Henry Hub gas prices could credibly be as low as $3/MMbtu, or as high as $10/MMbtu in 2020 but that the balance of likelihoods is for a price late this decade which is significantly higher than the current $3-4/MMbtu levels of 2011. Michelle Foss’ study looks at the [...]

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Categories / Country and Regional Studies, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Energy Security, Gas, Gas Programme, Oil, Working Papers, Working Papers

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Back to the Future: Electricity Market Reform Update

Published: 20th December 2011
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The Government has published what is called a “technical update” to its electricity market reform White Paper.  This Comment by Malcolm Keay analyses the new proposals and their implications. Many important questions about the new system remain unanswered, but the overall direction is clear – towards a planned electricity system whose function is to deliver [...]

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Categories / Electricity & Nuclear, Energy and the Environment, Energy Comments, Energy Policy, Energy Security, Publications

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Peering into the future fog of CO2 – how road maps can help

Published: 20th December 2011
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The term ‘road map’ is proliferating in energy and climate policy to denote any policy or aspiration projected into the future. Connie Hedegaard, Europe’s environment commissioner, hailed the Durban conference agreement as a ‘road map’ to an eventual global climate deal. This contrasts with the far more detailed road maps that she and her European [...]

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Categories / Energy and the Environment, Energy Comments, Energy Policy, Renewable

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Energy Efficiency – Should We Take It Seriously?

Published: 19th December 2011
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In this Paper, Malcolm Keay looks at governments’ uncritical reliance on energy efficiency to achieve multiple energy policy objectives.  He concludes that most existing programmes are ill-directed, badly monitored and probably ineffective in reducing energy demand and emissions – indeed they may be diverting attention from more effective measures.  A more targeted approach is needed [...]

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Categories / Energy and the Environment, Energy Policy, Energy Security, Publications, Working Papers

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Oil and International Energy Markets

Published: 7th December 2011
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Several members of OIES contributed articles to, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 27, Issue 1, Spring 2011, edited by Christopher Allsopp and Bassam Fattouh. Each issue concentrates on a current theme in economic policy, with a balance between macro- and microeconomics, giving a valuable appraisal of economic policies worldwide. Volume 27, Issue 1, focuses [...]

Categories / Articles & Submissions, Energy Economics, Gas, Oil, Publications

BP, Russian billionaires, and the Kremlin: a Power Triangle that never was

Published: 23rd November 2011
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In this Comment, Dr Shamil Yenikeyeff analyses the reasons for the collapse of BP’s Arctic partnership with the Russian state company Rosneft. He argues that the BP–Rosneft deal was inauspicious even before it was signed due to the history of the Kremlin’s reluctance to back BP plc in its often uneasy relations with the AAR [...]

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Categories / Country and Regional Studies, Energy Comments, Energy Comments, Energy Policy, Energy Security, Finance, Gas, Oil

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