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.
Much is reported in the press on the UK government’s struggle to negotiate the withdrawal agreement, and the main focus as we approach the deadline has been on the potential impact of a so-called No Deal Brexit on the UK economy. French energy law specifies that only companies based in the EU have the authorisation […]
The advocacy narrative of the European Union gas community which focused on coal to gas switching and backing up renewables has failed to convince governments, NGOs and media commentators that it can achieve post-2030 decarbonisation targets. The gas community therefore needs to develop decarbonisation narratives, showing how it will develop commercial scale projects for biogas, […]
During this podcast David Ledesma discusses with Brian Songhurst the key aspects covered in Brian’s recent paper ‘LNG Plant Cost Reduction 2014-2018’. The discussion opens with the reasons for the paper and an overview of how costs have fallen since the highs of the Australian projects to ensure LNG remains a competitive fuel. The challenges faced in preparing the paper are discussed including […]
Brian Songhurst is preparing an update on his previous publications covering floating liquefaction (NG107) published in 2016 and floating storage and regas terminals (NG123) published in 2017. This will provide information on recent developments including some that were covered in the previous papers but have now been cancelled and why. The update paper will also address some of […]
Policy targets on complete decarbonization of the electricity sector have significant implications for the role of gas in the future electricity mix. Historical data from Europe shows that renewables have increased most rapidly within electricity in those countries which had the highest ability to integrate them, primarily through the presence of fossil fuel backup. However, […]
This research aims to examine whether natural gas can and will become a much more substantial energy source in Taiwan. An assessment will be conducted on Taiwan’s policy and regulatory frameworks for market liberalisation, LNG trade and energy innovation (especially biogas, biomethane, Power-to-Gas (P2G) and other storage technologies). It seeks to anticipate new patterns in […]
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:
Anadarko
Barclays
BP
Centrica
Cheniere Energy
Edison
Enagás
ENI
Equinor
ExxonMobil
Gazprom Marketing and Trading
Energy Delta Institute/Gasunie
Iberdrola
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Norway)
National Grid
OMV
Open Grid Europe GmbH
Petoro
Sedigas
Shell
SNAM
Swedish Energy Agency
Tellurian Inc
Uniper Global Commodities SE
Wintershall Holding GmbH
Petoro
Sedigas
Shell
SNAM
Statoil
Swedish Energy Agency
Tellurian Inc
Uniper Global Commodities SE
Wintershall Holding GmbH
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).
OIES study quoted on Spain’s third interconnection with Morocco: projects such as Desertec stalled because they wer… https://t.co/Zq1rR0iJLq
February 22nd
New OIES Podcast discusses the impact of the energy transition on energy investments with companies seeking higher… https://t.co/KBc56KNKLZ
February 20th
Oxford Energy Podcast – Energy Transition, Uncertainty, and the Implications of Change in the Risk Preferences of F https://t.co/RNXdsSxacz
February 20th
