On
March 5, IENE in
co-operation with the Energy &Climate Change Policy Centre (KEPA) of the
University of Athens, held an ad hoc Afternoon Colloquium to review latest
developments in SE European gas markets and the “
Prospects for an Expanded
South Corridor”, as a number
of major infrastructure projects are currently underway in SE Europe, which
will facilitate the introduction and further use of natural gas in this broader
geographical area
.
The concept of an
Expanded
South Corridor includes all major gas trunk pipelines, LNG regasification
terminals and UGS facilities
which will feed gas into the
system which will then be directed towards the main European markets. In
addition, this expanded South Corridor with its multiple gas entry points and
linked underground gas storages and LNG facilities, will provide the necessary
gas quantities for the operation of regional gas trading hub(s) thus
strengthening the security of energy supply but also enhancing regional gas
trade.
The event, which took place in Athens University History Museum, located in
the oldest part of Greece’s capital, began with an Opening Statement by
Mr.
Michalis Verroiopoulos, Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources,
Ministry of Environment and Energy, focusing on the projects underway in Greece
and the country’s strategic role within the framework of the “
Expanded South
Corridor”. This joint IENE - KEPA Afternoon Colloquium was co-ordinated by a
well-known international energy security specialist,
Mr. John Roberts, (Methinks Ltd, Scotland and Senior Fellow, Atlantic
Council, Washington DC). Mr. Roberts also contributed his viewpoint on the
interaction between the regional natural gas projects in SE Europe and the
global energy environment.
Prof. Dimitris Mavrakis
(Director, KEPA) and
Mr.
John Chadjivassiliades (Chairman, IENE) cotributed Opening Remarks on
behalf of the organizers. IENE’s Executive Director, Mr. Costis Stambolis,
analyzed the concept of an “
Expanded South Corridor”, which was first
broached by IENE in January 2015 (at the European Gas Conference in Vienna).
IENE’s Head of Research, by
Mr. Dimitris Mezartasoglou, from his part,
described the role of LNG as part of the “Expanded South Corridor”.
A Panel Discussion followed, led by
Mr. John Roberts
,
with the participation of
Mr. Dimitris Manolis (Director of
International Affairs, Greece’s Public Gas Corporation S.A. - DEPA),
Mr.
Spiros Paleoyannis (Managing Director of Medgas and More Ltd., Member of
BoD, ΙΕΝ
E and former CEO of DEPA) and
Dr. Marika Karagianni (Caspian Energy
Expert, Dpt. of Black Sea Countries, Democritus University of Thrace).
The discussion focused on the origin of gas volumes that are expected to
flow through the TANAP-TAP gas pipeline system in 2020, and beyond this date,
apart from Azeri gas.
Upon conclusion of the Afternoon Colloquium, the participants had the
opportunity of a guided tour of the Athens University History Museum, which
resides in the first building ever to host the National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens, Greece’s oldest University.
Greece’s
Public Power Corporation (DEPA) S.A. was the sponsor of
this Afternoon Colloquium, whereas Greece’s leading energy portal,
Energia.Gr,
was the event’s media partner.