Programme of Work

A. THEMATIC STUDIES WITH DELIVERABLES

1. Gas Supply and Demand (2017-2018)

1.1 An Advisory assessment of the existing and future of the gas supply-demand balance in the Euro-Mediterranean region. This assessment will include factors and challenges affecting future developments around gas demand and supply as well as market developments. It may help to develop a strategy and an action plan for the countries of the region to reduce uncertainty through an efficient planning, technology transfer and best practices. The assessment will cover:

• role of gas in electricity generation, transport and other domestic, commercial and industrial activities,
• dynamics in gas market developments in different market segments
• impact of climate agreements; geopolitical developments and energy policy options adopted by countries in the region.
• Developments in upstream activities, including non-conventional gas,
• the potential production capacity of Mediterranean countries and the issues around any potential barriers to new investments on production,
• an analysis of the trading flows in the Euro-Mediterranean region, and how to remove any potential barriers.

2. Infrastructure (2017-2019)

2.1 A Advisory review of the current status and usage of gas infrastructure in the Euro-Mediterranean region focusing on transmission, storage and LNG liquefaction/regasification.
2.2 The role of LNG in European-Mediterranean gas supply security in the Euro-Mediterranean region. It will also include an analysis on how to improve the way LNG is loaded/ transported from LNG terminals. The study will take into account, where appropriate, current national and regional infrastructure development projects and the EU LNG strategy as well as new uses of LNG and new services offered by LNG terminals in the region, aiming at maximizing interests of both consumers and producers.
2.3 A compilation and assessment of the already proposed gas infrastructure projects in the region and the identification of bottlenecks. The aim is to identify gaps which prevent efficient flows across the Euro Mediterranean region and see whether the proposed pipeline projects are enough to cover those gaps. An analysis of how to maximise the potential of the Eastern Mediterranean and Southern Gas Corridor will be also included. Infrastructure cost and environmental and socio-economic impact will also be taken into account.

3. Cross-cutting issues (2018-2019)

3.1 The role of a suitable institutional and regulatory framework to promote favourable conditions and foster relevant investments to facilitate the gradual development of gas exchanges. The report will address existing cross-border trade barriers and how to overcome them between countries fully in line with international law and promote the harmonisation/compatibility of rules and codes. It identify any barriers and define the parameters for coherent investments and propose appropriate options and arrangements to provide a better framework for attracting public/private investment.
3.2 An advisory assessment of the conditions for creating and developing a number of liquid, well-functioning and well-interconnected gas hubs, which would allow tapping the potential of natural gas in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

B. EVENTS

• UfM Ministerial meeting (1 December 2016)
• A Conference on East Mediterranean Gas
• An EU-Med gas trading and hubs workshop: it would include the development of global gas contractual models and consequences for the Euro-Mediterranean gas market
• An annual UfM Gas Platform meeting to report on progress and discuss next steps (as in the working guidelines)
• An annual UfM Energy Platforms Conference