
Friedbert Pflüger, a former deputy minister in the first cabinet of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King‘s College London. Prof. Dr. Friedbert Pflüger is a retired Deputy Minister of the first Merkel Government. He is also Managing Partner of Pflüger International Consulting GmbH, Berlin.
Economic slowdown poses higher risk to oil price than decarbonization and EVs
Most people seem to believe that oil prices will go down in the long run because of climate policies and the growth of electric cars. Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS), argues that this view is far too simplistic. The only constant in energy markets, he writes, is that they are cyclical – and we seem to be poised for a sharp downturn right now. … [Read more...]
China has indicated it is set to launch a crude oil futures contract in yuan, which could be a significant step towards the de-dollarization of the global economy. It is a sign of China’s growing confidence – and the U.S.’s declining influence, writes Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS). According to Pflüger, President Trump’s “America First” policy is having the opposite effect: it is … [Read more...]
In its efforts to increase European energy security and create a common European energy market – and ultimately an Energy Union worth its label – the European Commission preeminently emphasizes the diversification of supply routes. For this reason it has criticised the Nord Stream 2 project of Gazprom and a number of European companies. But while diversification certainly remains one of the basic principles of energy security, it is only one of … [Read more...]
The timing of the EU's investigation of Gazprom further exacerbates tensions with Russia, notes Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS), King’s College London. Pflüger warns that if the EU and Russia continue to be on a collision course, both sides will lose. … [Read more...]
Some observers claim the US and Saudi Arabia have made a secret deal to bring down oil prices. They are supposed to be doing this in particular to hurt Iran and Russia. But Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS), King’s College London, finds their arguments unconvincing. The oil market is too big to be manipulated by conspirators. … [Read more...]
The decision to stop the South Stream project does not represent a fundamental shift in Russian energy policy, writes Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King‘s College London. It is not a political retaliation or a “counter-sanction”, but above all a business decision: South Stream had become far too expensive in the current stagnant European gas market. … [Read more...]
An international settlement by November 24 could put Iran on a path to becoming an energy superpower, says Friedbert Pflüger, Director European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College. And not just in fossil fuels – but even in renewable energy, which Iran now supports with feed-in tariffs and currency guarantees for foreign investors. US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with his counterpart this weekend. … [Read more...]
In May, Iraqi-Kurdistan for the first time ever sold oil to international markets, defying a ban on oil exports from the central government in Baghdad. According to Friedbert Pflüger, the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) will have no problems finding investors and customers to build up its potentially huge oil and gas business. With the current crisis in Iraq, Baghdad should come to terms with the KRG if it wants to share in the proceeds. … [Read more...]
The agreement last week between Gazprom and OMV of Austria on South Stream shows that the EU and Russia will continue their long-standing energy partnership regardless of the crisis around Ukraine, writes Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King‘s College London. According to Pflüger, the mutual energy dependence between the EU and Russia should be regarded as a largely positive … [Read more...]
All parties in the Ukrainian crisis should do their utmost to avoid any further escalation, writes Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College, London, and Deputy Minister in the first Merkel government. According to Pflüger, Europe must recognize that Russia has legitimate interests in Ukraine, while the Russians have to recognize Ukraine’s right to self-determination. If Ukraine … [Read more...]
To exploit the exciting new gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean in the most profitable way, both economically and politically, the best option is to build a pipeline from Israel’s Leviathan field via Cyprus to Turkey, argues Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College London. Such a pipeline is less costly than an LNG terminal in Cyprus – and it could serve as an instrument … [Read more...]
Iraqi-Kurdistan is on the verge of becoming one of the world’s major oil exporters. Second only to the shale revolution in the United States, the oil and gas explorations there have the potential to change the global (and European) energy landscape. The only shadow hanging over this prospect is the political strife between the Kurdish Regional Government in Arbil and the central Iraqi government in Baghdad. But recently the likelihood of a … [Read more...]
The interim-deal with Iran should be given a fair chance, argues Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS). The world economy would benefit if Iranian oil and gas exports could be restored. The climate would benefit if the massive flaring of gas in Iran and the prevailing energy inefficiency could be reduced and renewable energy investments stimulated. … [Read more...]
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