By most estimates, global consumption of natural gas - a cleaner-burning alternative to coal and oil - will double by 2030. However, in North America, Europe, China, and South and East Asia, which are the areas of highest-expected demand, the projected consumption of gas is expected to far outstrip indigenous supplies. Delivering gas from the world's major reserves to the future demand centres will require a major expansion of inter-regional, cross-border gas transport infrastructures. This book investigates the implications of this shift, utilizing historical case studies as well as advanced economic modelling to examine the interplay between economic and political factors in the development of natural gas resources. The contributors aim to shed light on the political challenges which may accompany a shift to a gas-fed world. Energy is on the front burner and will stay there, so this book has special value. Read it and learn about the topic of today and tomorrow and tomorrow. George P. Shultz United States Secretary of State, 1982-1989 "The coming phase of energy industry development is bringing with it the rapid globalisation of the gas business. Long term take-or-pay contracts, which align supply and demand and which formed the foundation of all successful projects in the past, are coming under pressure from liberalisation. But security of supply still depends on security of demand: this timely and authoritative study demonstrates that, if gas is to fulfil its enormous promise as an energy source, new ways must be found to establish the confidence of both sides that secure supply will be matched by reliable demand." Frank Chapman CEO, BG Group plc This is a very valuable addition to the global literature on energy issues and energy policy. Natural gas markets have tightened around the world. As I write today, Russia and the Ukraine have been embroiled in a sharp, market-shaking disagreement regarding long- and short-term gas deliveries needed in Europe, causing Germany suddenly to question its growing reliance on Russian gas supplies. The implications of this globalizing gas market for the United States - for homeowners and businesses who have depended on a stable domestic gas market for decades - are huge. Natural Gas and Geopolitics goes deep into the global gas policy issues that affect critical US energy policy, not only looking backward but helping understand what may happen as the global natural gas market develops. Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico United States Secretary of Energy, 1998-2001 Expert analysis of the political challenges which may accompany a shift to a gas-fed world. David G. Victor is Director of the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development at Stanford University. Amy M. Jaffe is Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy of Rice University. Mark H. Hayes is a Research Fellow on the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development at Stanford University.