5 - 9 September 2011, Gdańsk, Poland
Introduction
Motivation
The guarantee of the future energy supply is crucial
for economic development and saving our standard of living.
Dependence on foreign gas imports and progressing globalization
necessitate the formation of cross-border networks between countries
of the European Union and worldwide. Talking about future energy
security in regions, it is crucial to look at gas sources in a
comprehensive perspective covering all gas sources (both fossil and
renewable).
Goal
The goal of the South Baltic Gas Forum (SBGF 2011)
is to highlight the importance of energy security in South Baltic
cross-border regions through raising awareness in the sustainable
management of existing gas sources (natural gas, biogas) and
recently discovered alternative (shale gas) gas sources. This can be
achieved by stimulating awareness raising and the cooperation
between the regional and local administration/authorities,
investors, energy companies, universities and NGOs. The conference
will cover such aspects as environmental protection, spatial
planning, technology issues, legal aspects and best practices.
Expected Results
SBGF 2011 will bring together representatives from
academia, industry, regional and local authorities to present the
latest advances in knowledge related to natural gas, compressed
natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), shale gas and
biogas. Environmentally friendly and economically efficient
processing of gas sources is essential for providing energy security
in certain regions of Central & Eastern Europe and the world. The
SBGF 2011 will provide Training Sessions (Day 1, 2, 3), Thematic
Symposia (Day 2, 3, 4), Project Development Workshop (Day 1) and
Study Visits (Day 5). The Forum will be an excellent possibility for
the formation of durable networks of experts from the
business-academia-administration for the future cross-border
cooperation within gas production, processing, distribution and
trading.
Global strategic petroleum reserves
Global strategic petroleum reserves (GSPR) refer to crude oil inventories (or stockpiles) held by the government of a particular country, as well as private industry, to safeguard the economy and help maintain national security during an energy crisis.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration, approximately 4.1 billion barrels (650,000,000 m3) of oil are held in strategic reserves, of which 1.4 billion is government-controlled. The remainder is held by private industry. In 2004 the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve had the largest strategic reserve, with much of the remainder held by the other 27 members of the International Energy Agency. Some non-IEA countries have started work on their own strategic petroleum reserves. China has the largest of these new reserves.
Global oil consumption is in the region of 0.1 billion barrels (16,000,000 m3) per day. The 4.1 bbl reserve is equivalent to 41 days of production. If there ever is a dramatic fall in global output, as envisaged by some peak oil analysts, the strategic petroleum reserves might be used to cover the shortfall. Covering a 50% shortfall would deplete the reserves in 82 days, although export leaders the Middle East and Russian exports represent only 22% and 6% respectively of global production.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration, approximately 4.1 billion barrels (650,000,000 m3) of oil are held in strategic reserves, of which 1.4 billion is government-controlled. The remainder is held by private industry. In 2004 the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve had the largest strategic reserve, with much of the remainder held by the other 27 members of the International Energy Agency. Some non-IEA countries have started work on their own strategic petroleum reserves. China has the largest of these new reserves.
Global oil consumption is in the region of 0.1 billion barrels (16,000,000 m3) per day. The 4.1 bbl reserve is equivalent to 41 days of production. If there ever is a dramatic fall in global output, as envisaged by some peak oil analysts, the strategic petroleum reserves might be used to cover the shortfall. Covering a 50% shortfall would deplete the reserves in 82 days, although export leaders the Middle East and Russian exports represent only 22% and 6% respectively of global production.
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements; chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal is formed if dead plant matter decays into peat and over millions of years the heat and pressure of deep burial converts the peat into coal.
As a fossil fuel burned for heat, coal supplies about a quarter of the world's primary energy and two-fifths of its electricity. Some iron and steel making and other industrial processes burn coal.
The extraction and use of coal causes many premature deaths and much illness. Coal damages the environment; including by climate change as it is the largest anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide, 14 Gt in 2016 which is 40% of the total fossil fuel emissions. As part of the worldwide energy transition many countries have stopped using or use less coal.
The largest consumer and importer of coal is China. And China mines almost half the world's coal, followed by India with about a tenth. Australia accounts for about a third of world coal exports followed by Indonesia and Russia.
As a fossil fuel burned for heat, coal supplies about a quarter of the world's primary energy and two-fifths of its electricity. Some iron and steel making and other industrial processes burn coal.
The extraction and use of coal causes many premature deaths and much illness. Coal damages the environment; including by climate change as it is the largest anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide, 14 Gt in 2016 which is 40% of the total fossil fuel emissions. As part of the worldwide energy transition many countries have stopped using or use less coal.
The largest consumer and importer of coal is China. And China mines almost half the world's coal, followed by India with about a tenth. Australia accounts for about a third of world coal exports followed by Indonesia and Russia.
