The energy sector is undergoing unprecedented change. Twenty years ago, the main concern was having enough oil and gas, whereas today, political leaders are faced with the need to reduce the CO2 emissions produced by still-dominant fossil fuels, without being able to totally rely on renewable energies, which are intermittent and whose share in energy production remains low.
Geopolitics and Energy Transition 2 examines the energy sector and the state of energy transition continent by continent. North America is rich in resources, while the situation is mixed in South America. Europe advocates transition but remains dependent on imported fossil fuels. The CIS has enormous resources at its disposal and uses them as political weapons. Access to energy is a priority for Africa. Asia is faced with growing energy needs and pollution, which should accelerate energy transition. The Middle East, a champion of hydrocarbons, is launching into solar energy.
Table of Contents
Foreword to Géopolitique de l'énergie Published in 2008 - A Tribute to Jean-Marie Chevalier xi
Introduction xv
Chapter 1. The North American Continent 1
1.1. Introduction 1
1.2. Very high energy consumption 2
1.3. Energy transition in North America 6
1.4. Electricity and renewable energies 9
1.5. Oil 12
1.6. Natural gas 16
1.7. Coal: an important energy source in the United States 20
1.8. Agro-fuels in North America 20
1.9. The United States' energy policy 21
1.10. Geopolitics: relations with Saudi Arabia 26
1.11. Iraq: American intervention 27
1.12. Tensions with Venezuela 28
1.13. Russia: complex relations 29
1.14. Caspian Sea: a good swing supplier 30
1.15. The lifting of sanctions against some producing countries 30
1.16. Relations with Iran 31
1.17. Conclusion 32
Chapter 2. The South American Continent 33
2.1. Introduction 33
2.2. The current energy situation 34
2.3. Energy transition 36
2.4. Fossil fuels: oil 38
2.5. Fossil fuels: natural gas 46
2.6. Fossil fuels: coal 47
2.7. Electricity 47
2.8. Renewable energies 48
2.9. Regional integration 50
2.10. China's relations with Central and South America 51
2.11. Geopolitical issues 51
2.12. Conclusion 56
Chapter 3. Europe 57
3.1. Introduction 57
3.2. Energy in Europe 58
3.3. The energy transition 61
3.4. Electricity and renewable energies 63
3.5. Oil 67
3.6. Natural gas 68
3.7. Coal 69
3.8. Energy policy in Europe 70
3.9. Relations between Europe and Russia: the case of gas 73
3.10. Relations between Europe and North Africa 76
3.11. Relations with the Middle East 78
3.12. Conclusion 79
Chapter 4. The Commonwealth of Independent States 81
4.1. Introduction 81
4.2. The energy scene 81
4.3. The energy transition in the Commonwealth of Independent States 84
4.4. The importance of oil 84
4.5. The importance of natural gas 88
4.6. The role of coal 90
4.7. Electricity 90
4.8. Geopolitics of oil and gas exports from Russia and the CIS 92
4.9. Vladimir Putin's policies 101
4.10. Conclusion 102
Chapter 5. Africa 103
5.1. Introduction 103
5.2. Energy in Africa: too little consumption 104
5.3. The energy transition in Africa 105
5.4. Electricity in Africa 106
5.5. Oil in Africa: discoveries and reserves 109
5.6. Natural gas: good potential for export 117
5.7. Coal in Africa 119
5.8. Petroleum products: Africa's main energy source 120
5.9. Africa: a very attractive zone 130
5.10. The increasing power of civic society: the Shell Nigeria case 130
5.11. The problem of financial transparency 134
5.12. Conclusion 135
Chapter 6. Asia - Pacific 139
6.1. Introduction 139
6.2. Asia's energy situation 140
6.3. Energy transition in Asia 141
6.4. Oil 144
6.5. Natural gas 147
6.6. Coal 150
6.7. Electricity 153
6.8. Agro-fuels and geothermal energy in Asia 157
6.9. How to secure Asia's energy supplies? 158
6.10. The risks from increased competition 162
6.11. Conclusion 165
Chapter 7. The Middle East 167
7.1. Introduction 167
7.2. Energy consumption 168
7.3. Energy transition in the Middle East 169
7.4. The importance of oil in the Middle East 170
7.5. The Middle East oil story 173
7.6. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran 182
7.7. Analysis of positions by country 183
7.8. Oil revenues and how they are used 188
7.9. The importance of natural gas 189
7.10. Electricity: a major challenge 191
7.11. Conclusion 192
References 195
Index 199
