1.4 Case studies Flashcards
1
Q
Describe OPEC
A
- Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
- A permanent intergovernmental organisation of 13 oil-exporting countries developing nations
- It aims to protect the interests of the member countries, stabilise oil prices, ensure a sufficient supply of oil
- It has the power to significantly affect the prices by increasing or decreasing production
2
Q
What proportion of the world’s fossil fuel resources are owned by OPEC members?
A
- It has around 78% of the world’s oil reserves
- It produces around 45% of the world’s crude oil and 15% of natural gas
3
Q
Describe the 1973 OPEC oil embargo
A
- oil used as a political weapon against Israel supporting countries
- OPEC countries in the Middle East reduced production by 5% per month until Israel withdrew
- did not consult with Western powers that were large buyers
- OPEC countries make so much money that it was not a huge economic loss
- Big impact on USA as 5-6% of its daily fuel demand needs to be imported
4
Q
Describe Gazprom
A
- The world’s largest gas producer and Russia’s biggest company, with a market value of $160bn
- The company controls ⅓ of the world’s gas reserves and accounts for a 5th of global production
- Supplies a 5th of Europe’s gas needs
- Established in 1992 when the former ministry of Gas was reorganised
- The government still owns 50% of shares in Gazprom
5
Q
Describe the history of tensions between Russia and Ukraine
A
- Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been high since 2009, when pro-western forces won control of the government over a Moscow ally.
- Russia also opposes Ukraine’s desire to join NATO and the EU
- They had previously shut the gas off to Ukraine twice
- Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year’s Day 2009, saying it would pump only enough for customers further down the pipeline
- Ukraine and Russia faced negotiations over the renewal of gas supply contracts every year, but by midnight on 31 December 2008 they has failed to agree on the price Kiev should pay in 2009
6
Q
Why did Russia cut off gas to Ukraine in 2009?
A
- The two countries also failed to agree on a price Russia would pay Ukraine for gas transit in Europe
- There were also claims that Ukraine had stolen gas, but they claimed to have already paid fines for that
7
Q
How was the 2009 Ukraine Russia gas embargo resolved?
A
- On 17 January 2009, Russia held an international gas conference in Moscow. Early on 18 January 2009, after 5 hours of talks, Putin and Tymoshenko reached a deal to restore gas supplies to Europe and Ukraine
- Gas supplies restarted on 20 January 2009, and were fully restored on 21 January
8
Q
Changes in the UK energy mix
A
- Downward trend in energy use since 2000
- Large reductions in gas, oil and coal use
- UK coal use in 2014 fell to levels last seen during the industrial revolution
- Fossil fuels were 85% of energy min in 2014 - compared to 98% in 1965
- UK relies on fossil fuels for 60% of electricity
- Renewables had a growing share of UK energy use, reaching 7% of the total in 2014
9
Q
Changes to UK energy use
A
- Energy use for transport increasing - by 2019 it was responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s emissions
- Homes and industry are both trending downwards, though domestic energy use varies annually depending on the weather
10
Q
Changes to UK energy use
A
- Energy use for transport increasing - by 2019 it was responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s emissions
- Homes and industry are both trending downwards, though domestic energy use varies annually depending on the weather
11
Q
Changes to UK greenhouse gas emissions
A
- Uk’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 were 51% below 1990 levels - halfway to net zero
- The Uk went without coal power on 180 days in 2020
- Uk renewables generated more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time in 2020
- The average Uk resident’s emissions are now roughly in line with the global average
12
Q
Reasons for changes in the UK energy mix
A
- In the 1990s, industrial processes released powerful greenhouse gases with limited controls. Methane leaked from gas fields, landfill sites and coal mines
- The recent increase in transport energy use is a combination of a growing economy, the rise of cheap short-haul air travel and falling oil prices
- Warm temperatures meaning less domestic energy consumption
- Improvements in infrastructure for renewable energy - expanded capacity of wind farms, solar parks and bioenergy plants
- Cleaner manufacturing and waste industries
- Oil demand dell by 18% during covid
13
Q
Describe the location of Alberta Tar Sands
A
- Located in western Canada
- Bordering British Columbia
- Athabasca is located in the central north of Alberta
14
Q
How much oil is stored in the Alberta tar sands?
A
- 3rd largest deposit in the world next to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia
- 11% of the world’s reserve
15
Q
Impacts of extracting from the Alberta tar sands
A
- Produces 3x higher emissions than conventional oil
- Contaminated water is created
- Massive loss of forest
- Water can pollute fish + birds
- An increase in illness of the people living near the Athabasca river
- Through responsible development, advancement of technology and significant investment, the government of Alberta seeks to enhance Alberta’s role as a world-leading energy provider
