Natural Gas Research Programme

The Natural Gas Research Programme, launched in 2003, has become one of the foremost sources of independent academic research on natural gas. The programme focuses on natural gas within the disciplines of the Institute: economics, politics and sociology, international relations of gas-producing, consuming and transit countries, as well as the environment in its relationship with natural gas.

The Programme concentrates on natural gas issues of international significance, but also publishes work with a more regional and national focus. The Programme has produced major regional studies on gas and LNG in: Europe, Asia, CIS countries, the Middle East and North Africa. It has also produced a number of national studies, as well as work on Atlantic Basin LNG, gas pricing (in different parts of the world), market reform and regulatory issues.

Research is carried out by programme staff and commissioned from authors in a wide range of countries and from varied backgrounds: academic, industry and journalism. The Programme holds an annual Gas Day, at which topical events are debated by researchers and an invited audience.

The Programme has a Research Group comprising the sponsors of the Programme and independent experts from academia, industry and journalism. The Group meets twice a year to discuss proposed research projects, provide progress reports and debate topical issues, particularly new trends in supply and demand for gas in Europe and the Atlantic Basin.

We are interested in hearing from students and researchers working on social science aspects of natural gas in an academic environment worldwide. You can write to Howard Rogers or Jo Ilott.


Latest from the Gas Programme


Natural Gas Price Volatility in the UK and North America

Published: 2nd February 2012 | By:

Lacking a commonly held definition, volatility is an often over-generalised term with different meanings to different constituencies.  This does not detract from the importance of the subject.  To traders volatility is a source of revenue, to energy intensive industrial end-users it is often perceived as a threat.  Midstream utilities actively work to risk-manage volatility in [...]

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Categories / Country and Regional Studies, Energy Economics, Gas, Gas Programme, Oil, 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 | By:

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 | By:

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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