Azerbaijan, Baku, April 25 / Trend , A. Badalova/
The United States deeply cares about European and Central Asian energy security, U.S. special envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar said at the "Natural Gas for Europe: Security and Partnership" Summit in Sophia.
"America, Europe, and Eurasia stand on the threshold of a new era in bringing new gas fields to market. Companies are eager to look at hard investment opportunities. Consumers are eager for reliable supply at predictable prices. And countries are eager to raise living standards for their citizens and show that they are good stewards of natural resources and can govern cleanly and responsibly," Morningstar said.
He said natural gas will remain a critical part of the energy security question in Europe and Central Asia for the foreseeable future.
Morningstar said global gas demand in 2007 was about 3 trillion cubic meters, and is expected to rise to at least 3.5 trillion by 2015.
Diversity of sources and routes is strength. Competition will yield new sources, and new efficiencies in supply and distribution, he said
Morningstar emphasized significance of maintaining a good investment climate that favors domestic production and transport.
He said there is not a single answer to energy security issues. "These include Europe's work to integrate its markets, and the development of diverse supply routes and sources. In a similar vein, we must develop alternative technologies and improve energy efficiency to properly address our shared concerns of climate change. And in doing so, we must operate under market principles," Morningstar said.
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