The security of gas supplies

The consequence of the decline of gas production in Europe, combined to a continuous increase of consumption, is a progressive increase of imports dependence. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the rate of gas imports of the European Union will reach more than 80% in 2030 with respect to 50% today. This strong dependence will take place in a context of hard competition because of the durable rise of the worldwide gas demand. Therefore, the balance between producers and consumers' forces is changing and one can question if the opening of gas markets will not increase the rivalry between buyers and open their market to producers without any reciprocal arrangement. The political, industrial and commercial challenges, both for the consuming countries and the gas industry, and the foreseeable actions to secure the gas supplies are presented and debated at the French Gas Association (AFG) meeting by C. Mandil, executive director of IEA, by D. Maillard, head of the general direction of energy and raw materials (DGEMP, Ministry of economy, finances and industry), and by A. Mernier, general secretary of the Energy Charter Secretariat. (J.S.)