Free download includes information on the supply, transformation and consumption of all major energy sources. The International Energy Agency's latest annual publication of energy data ' Key World Energy Statistics 2011 ' can now be downloaded free of charge on iPhone and iPad. The annual summary, which was first produced in 1997, contains timely, clearly-presented data on everything from the annual Canadian production of coal to the electricity consumption in Thailand, the price of diesel oil in Spain and thousands of other useful energy facts. Click here to download.
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The International Energy Agency (IEA) will undertake a comprehensive analytical study of Iraq as part of the 2012 edition of its flagship publication, the World Energy Outlook (WEO). 'Iraq's energy sector is both central to the reconstruction and development of the Iraqi economy and of huge importance to the global outlook,' said IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven. 'The focus on Iraq in this year's World Energy Outlook will illuminate a central issue for the future of global energy, and we are very pleased to be working with the strong support of the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Dr. Al-Shahristani, and in cooperation with the Iraqi authorities.' Speaking to the IEA Governing Board on 15 February, the Ambassador of Iraq to France, H.E. Dr. Fareed Yasseen, outlined Iraq's expectations for the IEA work. 'Iraq has some pressing short-term challenges, but we also recognise the need to have a robust longer-term vision for our energy sector. We hope that the analysis in the World Energy Outlook can contribute to this process, providing perspectives and insights that will help us as we pursue strong social and economic development and our place as a major, dependable oil and gas exporter.' The 2012 World Energy Outlook will analyse the role of the energy sector in the Iraqi economy and trends in domestic energy demand, with a particular emphasis on the electricity and transportation sectors and domestic market structures. It will address the supply outlook and investment needs, both in power generation, transmission and distribution as well as in hydrocarbon development. It will look at the implications of Iraqi energy developments for the environment and water use, and the impacts on global energy supply and security. According to the WEO-2011 central scenario, Iraq is set to provide the largest increase in global oil production between today and 2035, adding more than 5 million barrels per day of supply over this period. 'Our aim, working with the Iraqi authorities, is to provide an in-depth outlook for the Iraqi energy sector and its role in satisfying the country's needs and in meeting global energy demand,' commented IEA Chief Economist Fatih Birol, who will lead the study. The IEA's Iraq study will be released in early October and will also be included in the full World Energy Outlook, to be launched on 12 November. The World Energy Outlook aims to provide a rigorous analytical framework for energy policy makers and the energy industry, based on robust quantitative analysis.
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"In a world of uncertainty one thing is sure: rising incomes and population will push energy needs higher" ' Dr. Fatih Birol. With concerns about global economic uncertainty diverting attention from energy policies, the IEA's Chief Economist used a trip to Korea to highlight some key energy-related trends which are pointing in "worrying directions". Dr. Fatih Birol ' who presented analysis from the IEA's flagship publication World Energy Outlook 2011 (WEO) at two events in Seoul on 10 February ' noted that carbon dioxide emissions have rebounded to a record high, energy efficiency of the global economy has worsened for a second straight year, and spending on oil imports is near record highs. During his visit to Seoul, Dr Birol stressed that: Diversity of global oil supply is diminishing, while new options are opening up for natural gas; Coal has underpinned growth, but its future will be shaped by uptake of efficient power plants as well as Carbon Capture and Storage; Any big shift away from nuclear power would increase import bills, threaten energy security and make it harder to combat climate change; and Despite steps in the right direction, the door to limiting the temperature rise to 2°C is closing. The first presentation was hosted and jointly organised by the Korea Energy Economics Institute and the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. Those attending the event included Dr. Su-yeong Yang, Senior Executive Vice President of Daewoo International; Mr. Ki-hwa Lee, Vice President of SK Innovation; and Mr. Kyung-hoon Lee, Vice President of POSCO. The question and answer session that followed this presentation focused largely on the key factors that could result in a more prominent role for natural gas in the global energy mix, and the implications for other fuels and energy security. There was also a significant interest in WEO analysis on nuclear energy and climate change. Dr. Birol then presented findings to the Presidential Committee on Green Growth. This presentation had been requested by Dr. Soogil Young, Co-Chair of the Committee and a former OECD ambassador, and was attended by about 20 members of the Committee and the Global Green Growth Institute. The subsequent question and answer session focused on climate change and renewable sources of energy. Photo (from left to right): Dr. Jin-woo Kim, President of Korea Energy Economics Institute; Dr. Fatih Birol; Mr. Kyung-wook Hur, Korean Ambassador to the OECD; and a high-level representative from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. Copyright: Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Republic of Korea.
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Monthly IEA Oil Market Report says China most likely to experience the acute effects of the supply disruption. The failure of Sudan and South Sudan to resolve a dispute over sharing oil revenues forced the International Energy Agency to cut by more than a quarter its estimate of the two countries' combined 2012 oil production. The downward revisions, included the IEA's monthly Oil Market Report published on 10 February, reflect the absence of a foreseeable resolution to the dispute between the two countries over revenue sharing, which was put in place following Southern Sudan's declared independence on 9 July last year. Through this scheme Southern Sudan had paid Sudan in kind for the use of its transit pipeline and port. However, South Sudan has now reportedly shut down its output of oil completely after the two governments failed to reach an agreement. Inflaming tensions Sudan lost around 75% of its pre-independence revenues to the South. After the South's secession, the sharing agreement gave South Sudan 60% of the revenues from the Unity Oil field's output (located in South Sudan) and around 25% of the revenues from Block 2 oil field's output (located in Sudan). The ensuing negotiations that ended in late January resulted in various proposals, but the governments remain at loggerheads. The latest African Union proposal involves the South giving Sudan a direct cash transfer of USD5.4 billion, plus transit fees worth up to USD1.1 billion, covering the period until the end of 2014. "In addition to the transit fee dispute, the sides have not agreed on the final border status of the Abyei region. Also, citizenship issues of displaced persons, ongoing ethnic conflict, and the potential for Sudan to use its military force are inflaming tensions between the two countries amidst a worsening economic situation," observes the OMR, a monthly IEA publication which provides a view of the state of the international oil market and projections for oil supply and demand 12-18 months ahead. "While it is impossible to predict the outcome, the broader set of economic and political factors at play mean that the two countries' oil output will remain at risk at least for the remainder of the year." Impact on Asia The OMR notes the bad timing of this oil production disruption in Sudan and South Sudan, which it estimated to be reduced by 100,000 barrels per day (kb/d) for 2012. Asian markets are expected to tighten as a result of disruption; China, for example, imported roughly 260 kb/d of Sudanese and South Sudanese crude oil in 2011. (That's more than the reduction estimate of 200 kb/d for the first quarter of 2012 alone). In addition, the loss of over 200 kb/d of heavy and acidic Dar Blend and light, sweet, and waxy Nile Blend crude oils from South Sudan coincides with strong demand in Asia for medium and heavy crude oil. At the same time, there is serious concern over the potential impact of international sanctions on Iranian crude supplies and any resulting disruptions. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan is expected to burn 150 kb/d more crude oil than it did in the first quarter of 2011, in order to compensate for the reduced nuclear power that is offline in the wake of the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident. On top of this, cyclones have shut in around 60 kb/d of Australian oil production. How many gallons of oil are there in a barrel' 42 US gallons (35 imperial gallons), which is 159 litres. How many barrels of oil are produced and refined a day' Around 87 million barrels. That works out at nearly 32 billion a year. What is crude oil' Crude oil is a mineral oil consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons of natural origin and associated impurities, such as sulphur. It exists in liquid form under normal surface temperatures and pressure. Its physical characteristics (e.g. density) are highly variable. Photo: ©GraphicObsession
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IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven made a wide-ranging presentation on "The Future of Energy" at an international seminar in Mexico City, invited by Energy Secretary Jordy Herrera. Her remarks covered uncertainty in oil markets and continued growth in demand driven by the transport sector. She also looked at prospects for natural gas, especially the role of unconventional resources. Highlighting the importance of energy efficiency, Ms Van der Hoeven called it essential for achieving both energy security and climate change goals. She also discussed the Mexico in the global energy context. Speech'Photo credit: Secretaría de Energía, México.
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Between February 27 and 29, a team from the IEA's Office of the Chief Economist held a fact-finding mission in Baghdad which focused on the in-depth outlook for Iraq's energy sector that will be published in a World Energy Outlook (WEO)-2012 special report in early October. This report on Iraq's energy sector has strong support from Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, H.E. Al-Shahristani, whom the IEA team ' Fatih Birol, Capella Festa and Pawel Olejarnik ' met in Baghdad (see photo). The IEA delegation held meetings with other key Iraqi authorities: Mr. Ghadhban (Chairman of the Iraqi Prime Minister's Advisors Committee), H.E. Sheikh Al-Janabi (Head of Iraq's Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee), H.E. Sheikh Hamoudi (Head of Iraq's Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee) and various other Ministry officials with responsibility for oil, electricity, water and planning. The strong support received and working relationships established will be instrumental towards the IEA's work on an in-depth outlook for the Iraq's energy sector.
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Ulrich Benterbusch, Director of Global Energy Dialogue at the IEA, and Graham White, Team Leader for the forthcoming IEA review of Ukraine's energy policies ' due to be published towards the end of this year ' met with Ukraine's Minister of Energy, Yuri Boyko, on 28 February in Kiev. Mr. Benterbusch welcomed Ukraine's strong political commitment to develop conventional and unconventional gas resources. He also noted the country's awareness of important reform and investments needs, their scope and the need to co-operate with the private sector and external players, such as the European Union (EU). Ukraine has shown progress through new legislation on the energy sector and a commitment to implementing the EU Energy Community Treaty, especially the second energy package. Mr. Benterbusch said that Ukraine has great potential to increase its energy security, create jobs, foster economic growth and modernise its energy infrastructure by focusing on five priority areas: developing a comprehensive energy strategy; improving energy efficiency and district heating; increasing production of oil and gas; re-structuring the energy sector and introducing fair, predictable and competitive legislation; and promoting more private and foreign investments into the energy sector.Photo, from left to right: Graham White, Yuri Boyko and Ulrich Benterbusch.
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