The Energy Arteries of a Continent –Natural Gas Networks Secure Europe's Energy Supply

Abstract

Natural gas will become one of the most important raw materials over the next few decades. In Europe alone, the demand for natural gas imports of 314 billion cubic metres in 2005 will increase by approximately 200 billion cubic metres by 2025. Hence, the important question for the future is how the raw material gas is to be transported from the gas fields to the consumers. Faced with their growing import needs, the European countries are required to enlarge their natural gas transport networks and invest in new pipelines to guarantee long-term security of supply. Russia has already proved itself a reliable partner for the European Union.