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.
From 2011 to 2016 several Natural Gas Research Programme researchers were involved in the work of the EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council, established under the auspices of the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue: Jonathan Stern as the EU Co-Speaker, Ralf Dickel and Katja Yafimava as Experts for the EU. EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council.
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 James Henderson or Jo Ilott.
With a current focus on the need to decarbonise the energy system, and increasing interest in decarbonising the gas industry[1], this short paper provides an overview of the current status and considers the potential for further growth in the production and use of biogas and biomethane. It focuses on key countries in Europe, which have […]
As described in a recent Comment (‘Feud Between Brothers: the GCC rift and implications for oil and gas markets’), the severing of diplomatic ties with Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, amid accusations of supporting extremism have prompted many to ponder the impact on oil and gas markets. This Comment examines the […]
With European natural gas consumption having declined since the beginning of this decade it may seem strange to focus on transmission system bottlenecks in a regional market which, having seen dramatic expansion since its inception in the late 1960s, has at best only modest growth potential. Work by Beatrice Petrovich examining the price correlation of […]
As the gas industry attempts to find a role in a decarbonised energy system, it will need to convince policy makers of its green credentials. One key obstacle in the debate is the allegation that methane leakage across the gas chain significantly undermines the argument that gas is an environmentally friendly alternative to coal. The […]
This Energy Insight will explore the supply developments in North Africa, and will discuss the potential for expanding the use of LNG facilities there that have seen falling throughput over the past few years due to political disruption or increasing use of gas in domestic markets. Facilities in Egypt, Libya and Algeria are all underutilized […]
This working paper will investigate a major new source of potential gas demand in a continent where energy poverty remains a key issue. The paper will explore the main issues surrounding the opening of new, but relatively poor, gas markets, discussing the problems of credit-worthiness and lack of infrastructure as important obstacles for suppliers of […]
We would like to acknowledge the kind support of our sponsors; without whom the research carried out by the Programme would not be possible.
The Natural Gas Research Programme is sponsored equally by the following organisations:
BP
Centrica
Cheniere Energy
EDF
Engie
Enagás
ENI
Gazprom Marketing and Trading
Energy Delta Institute/Gasunie
Iberdrola
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Norway)
National Grid
OMV
Petoro
Shell
Statoil
Swedish Energy Agency
Uniper Global Commodities SE
Sponsors maintain an on-going dialogue with the staff including visits and presentations.
If your company or organisation would like to discuss any aspect of the Gas Programme further, please do not hesitate to contact James Henderson, Anouk Honore or Jo Ilott.
The contents of the Programme publications are the authors’ sole responsibility. They do not necessarily represent the views of the sponsors, the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies or of any of its Members.
The staff of the natural gas research programme have links with the following:
Natural Gas Research Programme Involvement in the EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council
From 2011 to 2016 several Natural Gas Research Programme researchers were involved in the work of the EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council, established under the auspices of the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue: Jonathan Stern as the EU Co-Speaker, Ralf Dickel and Katja Yafimava as Experts for the EU. More information about the GAC, including official documents, is available on the European Commission website.
Presentations made within each of the three GAC Work Streams – Gas sector, including EU Roadmap 2050 and scenarios, EU internal gas market issues, and infrastructure issues – can be found athttps://circabc.europa.eu/(once on the page take the following steps: Browse categories/European Commission/Energy/EU-Russian Gas Advisory Council/Library – then browse spaces and content).
New publication: Biogas: A significant contribution to decarbonising gas markets? https://t.co/Ixf81cuvGO
June 21st
J Stern: UK still in EU & others have an obligation to share available supply in crisis, but post-Brexit who knows https://t.co/5lBtoznqUt
June 21st
Luke Patey in the Petroleum Economist on navigating regional risk in East Africa - https://t.co/KMPfAqLSfG
June 20th
