The PFC Energy Quarterly is a new e-mail publication. It will highlight PFC Energy's ongoing research on emerging issues affecting the energy industry and the global economy. This quarter we have focused on energy geopolitics, new trends in research and development and the global investment environment.
The PFC Energy Quarterly also aims to provide useful information about PFC Energy including press articles and key multi-client events.
We hope you find the ideas presented interesting and look forward to receiving your comments or suggestions.
Lew Watts
President and CEO
PFC Energy
Emerging Geopolitical Developments: Key Issues
The issue that will inject the most volatility into geopolitics in the next few years is the integration of emerging powers on to the world stage. In fact, finding China a place in the world economy is the defining issue of the early part of the 21st century. The next few years will be critical given the painful economic and political adjustments China and the industrialized world will have to make. Similarly, the US and Europe are struggling with the re-accommodation of Russia into the world economy, a process that has become inextricably tied to energy security and geopolitics. Working with Russia will be critical for the West because of the country’s ability to be a spoiler in dealing with “rogue” states such as Iran. Against this background of fundamental transformations, a number of new and lingering developments will shape the global geopolitical landscape.
Research and Development – Some Inconvenient Truths?
The major increase in concern over the risks of climate change has led many to see one path towards a solution being in the realm of technological breakthroughs.
New Initiatives in Explaining the Political Economy of Environmentalism
US President George W. Bush’s recent initiative focusing on climate change is a clear indication that even the most reluctant players in the environmental arena are being forced to respond to pressure from within the United States and from its foreign partners.
Changes in the Investment Environment of Major Resource Producing Countries
Persistently higher oil prices and perceptions of scarcity are prompting the major oil and gas resource holders to fundamentally reshape their investment environments.
The Future of the Gulf: A Happy Story with Scary Risks
The Persian Gulf is booming. This time around the success in growing the economy has not come as a result of government spending.
Nigerian Violence Remains Key Risk to Global Oil Markets
Although the recent Nigerian elections set a democratic precedent—this is the first transfer of power from one elected administration to another—the structural political dynamics have not changed with new leadership, and the overall risk outlook has not improved.
Long-term Scenario for the Global Refining Industry: What are the Givens in a World of Uncertainty?
While medium-term refining scenarios (less than 10 years) appear to be reasonably well-defined, long-term scenarios—over a 15, 20 or 25-year horizon—look much less certain.
Markets and Country Strategies Group’s Expanded Presence in the Gulf and Southeast Asia Enhances Global Oil Market Analysis
With oil prices trading at sustained high oil prices, there are some surprising strains facing the key economic oil producers.
