Gas Tentacles. Russian Domination of European Gas Markets

This report examines the geopolitical situation between Europe and the Russian Federation. Observers have noted the tepidness of some European nations to oppose Russian interest. We believe this is due to Russia’s comparative advantage in the energy sector, specifically Natural Gas.

This resource, abundant in Russia, is the cornerstone of European energy use especially for nations of the former Soviet Union, creating economic pressure for them to agree to Russian demands. Being an abundant and relatively clean resource, natural gas is a preferred source of energy. Control of Russian supplies is dominated by state-owned Gazprom, which is the largest company in the country and exerts significant influence in the Russian Government. This report will also examine solutions for Europe’s energy independence and security through strategies such as anti-trust action and new investments in domestic production.