Case Study → Energy Pathways, Russia Gas to Europe (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes
Case Study → Energy Pathways, Russia Gas to Europe
| Context | ● Russia is a big producer and exporter of fossil fuel energy ● Russia is the World's second largest producer of gas ● Also imports a significant amount of gas, presumably to help meet its own needs ● UK has nearly doubled its imports of natural gas to 29.1 billion m³ a year |
|---|---|
| Recent Trends | ● In recent years, the quantity of natural gas exported to W Europe has increased by 40% ○ In 2018, Russia exported 243 billion m³ of natural gas |
| Pipelines | ● In 2018 Russia and countries bordering the Caspian Sea agreed to divide up its seabed, providing more oil and gas production within pipeline reach of Europe ● Russia has several natural gas pipelines to Europe: ○ Yamal-Europe via Belarus and Poland ○ South stream via Bulgaria ○ Nord Stream (1&2) under the Baltic Sea ■ NS 2 important as would mean gas export to EU easier and less reliant on the good will of transfer states like Ukraine |
| International
Sanctions |
● Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, international sanctions have been in place, but
such is the demand for natural gas than countries such as Germany have wanted to
secure supplies, as energy mix is changing |
| Ukraine | ● 3 of Russia's pipelines cross Ukraine
● Ukraine is in a position to make life difficult for the Russian gas industry
● 📝 Eg. By threatening to hike the price it charges for allowing the transfer of
gas across its territory or even stop the flows altogether
● Russian anxiety about its pipeline across Ukraine has ↑ by the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO
|
| Why Pipelines are
Controversial | ● ↑ dependence on Russian supplies (∴ providing Russia w/ political influence)
● Threaten the national security of Baltic countries
● Affect supplies to Ukraine
● Overlook Russian policy to destabilise Europe |
