The Gas Programme, launched in 2003, has become one of the foremost sources of independent academic research on gaseous fuels and their role in the energy economy. The programme has historically focused on natural gas, and while this remains a core strength it is increasingly also turning its attention to other forms of decarbonised gas such as hydrogen, biomethane and other forms of synthetic gas. Its work is based on the fundamental disciplines of the Institute: economics, politics and sociology, international relations of gas-producing, consuming and transit countries, as well as the increasing impact of environmental issues.
The Programme takes an international perspective on the future of gaseous fuels, 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 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.
Land-based LNG import terminals were introduced in the 1960s to import LNG from the first liquefaction plants in Algeria and the USA and dispatch gas into national distribution grids. Since then, some 150 LNG import terminals have been built around the world. In the last 20 years there has been a growth in the number […]
In this OIES podcast James Henderson talks to Katja Yafimava and Kim Talus about the recent judgement by EU Court of Justice (made on the 15th July 2021), which rejected a German appeal concerning the 2016 OPAL exemption decision and reinstated the 2009 OPAL exemption, under which Gazprom’s OPAL bookings are restricted by 50%. The […]
Russian gas exports to Europe have traditionally meant one thing: pipeline supplies from Gazprom. But since December 2017, Russian LNG cargoes from the Yamal LNG project led by the private Russian company, Novatek, have increasingly made their mark, especially in North-Western Europe. Despite the original intention that Yamal LNG cargoes would be predominantly shipped to […]
The OIES research on decarbonising energy markets has identified particular threats to gas networks from both declining demand for gas and a failure to adapt to new requirements in a low carbon world. Gas networks represent a huge, sunk cost asset and with the right mix of investment and incentives they could play a significant […]
As European imports of Russian gas have reached historical highs since 2016, it has become increasingly important to consider the routes by which that gas is delivered, the extent to which those routes are fully utilised, and the related question of how much spare capacity remains in the system, particularly at times of peak flows. […]
The global gas balance is continuously shifting, as demand fluctuates, and new LNG export and import terminals are brought online. Using the OIES Global Gas Model, this research tracks developments in the supply-demand balance, including both ongoing trends in demand relative to the existing supply infrastructure, and likely future developments in terms of both predicted […]
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 Gas Research Programme is sponsored equally by the following organisations:
BP
Centrica
Cheniere Energy
ConocoPhillips
Edison
Enagás
Eni
Equinor
ExxonMobil
Gazprom Marketing and Trading
GECF
Energy Delta Institute/Gasunie
Fluxys
Iberdrola
JERA
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Norway)
Mozambique LNG
National Grid
OMV
Osaka Gas
Pavilion Energy
Petoro
RWE
Sedigas
Shell
SNAM
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 gas research programme have links with the following:
Gas Research Programme Involvement in the EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council
From 2011 to 2016 several 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 OIES Research Paper - Developments in the ‘LNG to Power’ market and the growing importance of floating faciliti… https://t.co/45PiXAaGfL
Last week Dr Yafimava @katyafimava participated in the International Energy Forum INTERNEF (Croatia) panel 'Geopoli… https://t.co/sUUjlqYF1u
In our latest OIES podcast, Dr Katja Yafimava and Prof Kim Talus discuss the short and long-term implications of th… https://t.co/GNkJNHGhLe
New Oxford Energy Podcast - OPAL Judgement - https://t.co/9okxw8mf86 https://t.co/8AE2uwT0MA