The seminar focused on investment, market structure and integration of the Mashreq gas sector initiatives and the European Union energy markets. Discussions were held on the new gas industry environment for energy investments in the Mashreq region and beyond. The seminar also addressed ways of mitigating risks associated with investments, with a special focus on building competitive gas markets in the Mashreq and integrating them with the internal European gas markets.
The overall purpose of this meeting was to share experience and concerns between investors, governments and international financial institutions. The Energy Charter Secretariat presented the principal tools developed under the Energy Charter Treaty and the role which they may play in resolving certain issues related to cross-border pipelines.
Participants also looked at the ways and means of balancing the interests of the investors and the host countries with a view to securing sustainable development in the gas sector of the Mashreq and the European Union.
The seminar brought together government, industry and financial institutions representatives from the countries of Europe, the Mashreq and other regions. High-level speakers from all of the states of the Mashreq and neighbouring countries featured during the seminar. Speakers explored the possibilities for supplying gas from various sources to neighbouring and distant markets.
Programme and Presentations
Welcome address and opening statements
H.E. Soufian Al-Alao
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Syria
H.E. Ambassador André Mernier
Secretary General, Energy Charter Secretariat
Session one: Policy options for integrating the Mashreq gas markets and the European internal gas market
Chaired by Mr. Laurent Muschel, Head of the International Unit, DG for Energy and Transport, European Commission
Turkey as a Key Country on the Energy Ring
by Dr. Söner Aksoy, Member of Parliament, Head of the Energy and Technology Commission of the Parliament, Turkey
The Euro-Arab Gas Market Project
by Mr. Richard Kupisz, Team Leader, Euro-Arab Mashreq Gas Cooperation Centre
Future of Gas Exports from Egypt by Pipeline and LNG
by Mr. Ahmed El Ashmawi, Assistant Chairman for Investment and International Cooperation, Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation
The Mashreq Gas Markets in Transition and the Benefits of Bringing Gas to Lebanon (in English and Arabic)
by Mr. Sarkis Hlaiss, Head of Committee, General Manager of Oil Installations, Ministry of Energy and Water, Lebanon
Energy strategy in Jordan
by Mr. Mahmoud Al-Ees, Director Planning, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jordan
The JGTP Project and the Impact of the Arab Gas Pipeline in Jordan
by Mr. Marwan Metry Al-Baka'in, Director Natural Gas, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, JGTP Project Manager, Jordan
Session two: New oil and gas transportation in the Mashreq region: An industry perspective
Chaired by Mr. Angel Gutierrez Hidalgo, Head of the Economic Cooperation Section, the European Commission's Delegation to Syria
The Changing Landscape of Europe's Gas Industry: Looking for New Supply
by Mr. Jean-Marie Devos, Secretary General, Eurogas
Syria's Role in the Regional Gas Transit Business
by Mr. Ali Abbas, General Director, Syrian Gas Company
The Potential for New Oil and Gas Transit in the Mashreq Region
by Mr. John Mills, Executive Vice-President (Middle East, North Africa South Asia), Shell Gas and Power
by Mr. Ole Myklestad, General Manager, Syria Shell Petroleum Development BV
Investing in New Natural Gas Infrastructure
by Mr. Howard Chase, Chairman of the Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel, Director of European Government Affairs, BP
Producing Gas to Markets: the End of Easy Gas?
by Mr. Bernard Clément, Vice-President Middle East, Total Exploration & Production
Session three: Mitigating investor risks - market structure and instruments
Chaired by Mr. Malek Kabariti, President, National Energy Research Centre, Jordan
Trans-boundary Energy Project in the Region
by Mr. Saleh al-Kharabsheh, Director, Projects Department, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Jordan
Gas Transit Tariffs - Methodology and Results
by Mr. Gürbüz Gönül, Senior Expert, Energy Charter Secretariat
Turkey as a Hub for Transit Gas Projects
by Mr. Ali Arif Aktürk, Managing Director and Member of the Board, Naturgaz A.Åž.
Risk and Risk Mitigation in Cross-Border Gas Pipeline Projects
by Ms. Anna Bjerde, Senior Infrastructure Specialist, World Bank
The Energy Charter Model Agreements for Cross-Border Pipelines: a Framework for Cross-border Energy Infrastructure
by Mr. Graham Coop, General Counsel, Energy Charter Secretariat
The Role of the IDB in Supporting New Arab Mashreq Energy Infrastructure
by Mr. Hatem El-Bakali, Portfolio Manager, Syria Gas and Power Projects, Islamic Development Bank
The Energy Charter: A Confidence-building Process
by Mr. Pascal Laffont, Office of the Secretary General, Energy Charter Secretariat
Concluding panel discussion
Moderated by Mr. Sigurd Schmidt, International Relations, Enlargement, DG Energy and Transport, European Commission
Closing remarks
Mr. Ali Abbas, General Director, Syrian Gas Company
Mr. Dario Chello, Director for Energy Efficiency and Investment, Energy Charter Secretariat
Mr. Ahmed El Ashmawi, Assistant Chairman for Investment and International Cooperation, Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation
Mr. John Mills, Executive Vice-President (Middle East, North Africa South Asia), Shell Gas and Power