There is no region in the world that is more dependent on energy resources to generate income than the Gulf region. Petroleum resources determine not only the daily life in the Gulf, but also its future and its relations with other countries. While the Gulf region is a major energy producer, it is also a major energy consumer, especially on a per capita basis. In order to reflect on this important role of energy production and consumption in the Gulf and the significant role of the policies that govern them, The Gulf research center (GRC) has decided to establish a dedicated research program focusing on the issue of Gulf Energy. This will be known as the Gulf Energy program.
The main focus of the Gulf Energy Program is to mobilize energy economics and energy policy research for the GCC region and to promote educational and advisory projects. It focuses on world energy markets, including the relationship between GCC members and their oil customers, and how these markets affect the economic, political, and social lives in the GCC countries. It also focuses on energy markets within the GCC member countries, including electricity and renewable energy.
The Gulf Energy Program is garnered towards three target groups: policy makers, the media, and the public. Given the wide scope of the energy field, the wide range of audience, and the global reach of GCC oil exports, the program consists of the following focal points:
GCC Energy
One of the main aims is to foster research in energy matters related to individual GCC countries that explores ways in which energy can contribute to effective coordination, integration, and inter-connection among GCC member states. This aspect of the program focuses on production, consumption, transportation, pricing, investment, and policy matters related to oil, natural gas, petroleum products, electricity, and renewable energy in individual GCC countries. It also focuses on the environmental impact of producing and consuming fossil fuel, efficiency improvement, and conservation. Within the program, a comprehensive database on the production and consumption of energy resources, energy prices, and energy exports and imports is maintained.
The Gulf and the Arab World
Another main area of concentration is to encourage researchers to explore the energy links between GCC members and the rest of the Arab world and Iran and to focus on energy matters within these countries and how they affect the GCC members. A comprehensive database on trade energy trade between GCC members and these countries, in addition to energy production, consumption, and trade data for each of these countries will also be made available. .
Gulf and Asia
Special emphasis is given to the relationship between the energy sectors of the GCC countries and East Asian countries, with specific emphasis on China, India, Japan, Pakistan, and Singapore. East Asia constitutes the largest market for Gulf oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and petroleum products. Energy trade between the Gulf region and East Asia is expected to increase substantially in the next few years. Experts predict that the largest growth in oil demand in the next two decades will come from this region, especially from China and India. Several Gulf countries are major stakeholders in energy projects in the region, and experts expect the Gulf participation in Asian energy projects to increase. GEP explores various ways of energy cooperation and serves as a platform for conferences and workshops on these topics. It also maintains a large database on energy production, consumption, prices, and trade for individual Asian countries in addition to a collection of research papers, presentations, and various publications on various topics related to energy in this important region.
Gulf and Europe
Gulf and Europe explores various venues of energy cooperation between the GCC countries and Europe in general and the European Union in particular. The European Commission has continued a dialogue within the context of the GCC-EU ministerial meetings on energy matters and there has been substantial efforts to improve the cooperation in the areas of energy security, renewable energy sources, refinery capacity and the overall development of the petrochemical industry. All these issues have contributed to relieving the sense of insecurity – of supply in the European sense and demand from the Gulf side. In addition to the issues outlined above, the focus on Europe and the Gulf provides a database for energy consumption, production, prices, and trade for the European countries. It also includes a large collection of studies, research papers, presentations and textbooks on the subject.
Gulf and North America
Another area is geared towards the trends of energy production and consumption in North America and its energy trade with the Gulf region. The US is the largest oil consumer and importer of oil in the world while Canada and Mexico are among the world’s top energy producers. The energy policy of the US and all other foreign and environmental policies may have an impact GCC oil exports. The GEP maintains a large data base on energy production, consumption, prices, and trade in these countries.
Gulf and Africa
An emerging area is the growing cooperation between GCC oil producers and Africa's oil producers, investment opportunities, and possible markets for GCC energy products. Experts expect that several African countries will be major energy players in the next two decades. They also expect energy consumption to increase thorough the continent. GEP focuses on the geopolitics of energy in the region and how it might impact the GCC countries. For this purpose, it also maintains a database on energy consumption and production in the region.
