Developing Gas Markets in South, West and Central Asia
Chaired by: Farid M. Amin, PGC C Chair, Malaysia

Objectives
South, West and Central Asia pose a huge growth potential in the regional gas markets, driven by the projected internal demand growth (especially in South Asia) vis-à-vis large supplying resources, notably in Iran and Central Asia. A number of potential long-distance pipeline projects have already been proposed, aimed at connecting these supplies to the major demand centres, but their timely realisation has been subjected to ongoing geo-political dynamics. Further, there is also a
growing interest in LNG as a conduit to promote gas market integration. Also, the region’s gas resources are being actively sought by other gas markets, driven by an equally ambitious infrastructure development programme that could create competitive fl ows of gas-to-markets outside the region.

In light of these developments, how are geo-political factors likely to develop and shape the regional gas trade and markets?
What implications would they have for investment in the gas supply/demand chain and infrastructure? In what terms is LNG an attractive supply option to enhance the development of gas market integration? What are the strategic options available to governments and the industry to develop, expand and integrate the region’s gas markets, as well as to ensure security and reliability of supply?

Content

• Study Group report presentation by Nadeem Shahryar, Study Group leader, Pakistan, under the title Study Report on the International Gas Pipelines - Impacts in Economic Development.
• A selected group of speakers will be invited to address some of the related topics, and time will be allocated for a constructive debate with the audience.

Developing Gas Markets in South America (from a more integrated perspective)
Chaired by: Henyo Barretto, Brazil

Objectives
The goal of enhancing energy security and reliability through closer integration of energy infrastructure and markets in South America has long been promoted through time by diverse stakeholders. Notwithstanding the individual initiatives during the last decade, real market integration is far from established. Fresh concerns have in recent years surfaced over the security of gas supply arising from the geo-political and social situation in a number of key gas-exporting countries that include “energy nationalism”, as well as the security of demand, threatened by persistently high gas prices.

It is generally recognised that there needs to be adequate policies, institutions and tools to provide the necessary foundations to support deeper gas market integration, but how can this be translated into an acceptable and workable programme for regional co-operation? What changes to government policies and regulations are required? How can the industry make an effective case to persuade policymakers of the benefits of integration instead of regarding it as a source of external vulnerability? – or will true market integration prove to be an elusive aspiration?

Content

• Study Group report presentation by João Batista de Toledo, Vice Chair PGC C & Study Group leader, Brazil, under the title Study Report on the Prospects of Gas Market Integration – Impact on Economic and Social Development.
• A selected group of speakers will be invited to address some of the related topics, and time will be allocated for a constructive debate with the audience.

Developing Gas Markets in South Eastern Europe
Chaired by: Gi-Chul Jung, Korea

Objectives
Attention to South Eastern Europe has traditionally been focused solely as an energy corridor, linking the huge gas market of Western Europe to potential gas suppliers in the Caspian region and Middle East. However, the region is increasingly turning into a significant gas market in its own right. With the region’s ratification of the Energy Community South East Europe (ECSEE) Treaty in late 2005, what are the prospects of creating a stable, EU-compatible regulatory and market framework capable of attracting investment in energy systems? Will this be sufficient to ensure access to the stable and continuous gas and electricity supply that is essential for economic development and social stability for all countries in the region?

Content

• Study Group report presentation by Robert Bošnjak, Study Group leader, Croatia, under the title Study Report on the Prospects of Gas Market Integration – Impact on Economic and Social Development
• A selected group of speakers will be invited to address some of the related topics, and time will be allocated for a constructive debate with the audience.

Future Impact of Geo-politics and Globalisation in Sustainable Gas Supply and Trade
Chaired by: Nadeem Shahryar, Study Group leader, Pakistan

Objectives
Speakers will be invited to provide views and analyses of impact from geo-political issues that include resource nationalism, accessibility to gas resources on security and other topics related to the sustainability of future gas supply including, for example, the extent of new LNG capacity scheduled to come on-stream, that will bring about facilitation of LNG trade globally.

Developing Natural Gas Markets: How Issues Including Security of Supply, Alternative Fuels, Pricing and Technological
Improvements Interact for a Sustainable Development

Chaired by: João Batista de Toledo, Vice Chair PGC C and Study Group leader, Brazil

Objectives
Speakers will be invited to provide views and analyses of strategic options to develop natural gas markets taking into consideration the interaction of various key drivers that include purchasing power, availability of secured gas supply, competition of alternative fuels, gas pricing and technological improvement.

Speakers will also be invited to present their views and analyses on how regulators and multi-lateral agencies including the NOCs and IOCs can play more effective roles to facilitate the development and growth of gas markets, particularly in developing countries where gas markets are mostly still at an early stage, such as some countries of Asia, Africa and South America.