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Shale Gas and National Security
The feasibility of the commercial exploitation of unconventional oil and gas
reserves, such as shale oil and gas, has given new dimensions to the issue of energy
security. The policy of investing in large crude oil consumers in terms of exploration, development, and production of large reserves to secure the supply of crude oil
needed is ineffective. Today, many countries are evaluating their stocks of nonconventional gas reserves and the possibilities of producing these resources. Two perspectives are predominant in the global energy market. While the first of these
considers the positive effects, such investment will have on the energy market and
in energy geopolitics, the other view posits that shale gas will not be a factor which
has an effect on energy geopolitics (www.dergipark.gov.tr 2017).
However, costs may have the upper hand in determining which of these views
shall prevail, as governments will endeavor to support the national economy by
securing the reliable energy supply with affordable price (report 2014:322).
Shale Gas Revolution and International Relations
Several theories have been voiced about the shale gas revolution and its impact on
the international system and international relations. One of these occurs in a report
entitled: “Global Trends 2030: Alternative Words” published by “the US National
Intelligence Council (NIC)” in December 2012, as a possible scenario for the structural development of international relations in a period toward 2030, posited that no
hegemonic power would emerge. The report indicated that power in the international system will shift to networks and coalitions in a multipolar world. Accordingly,
it is stated that the US will become energy independent due to the shale gas revolution and the resultant increase in natural gas (report 2014:322). The NIC forecasts
that in terms of crude oil, in the shadow of increased domestic production capacity,
the US will reduce oil imports overall. Consequently, crude oil prices will collapse,
which would be a major impact on oil-exporting countries’ economies (report
2014:322).
Javier Solana, former “EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and
Security Policy (CFSP),” believes that the US will withdraw from the Middle East
in the wake of the energy boom and shale gas revolution. According to Solana, there
would not be a complete withdrawal, as it is necessary to maintain stability in oil
process in order to support keep regional ally Israel. (report 2014:322).
5 US Energy Diplomacy Under the Obama Administration
Shale Gas and National Security
The feasibility of the commercial exploitation of unconventional oil and gas
reserves, such as shale oil and gas, has given new dimensions to the issue of energy
security. The policy of investing in large crude oil consumers in terms of exploration, development, and production of large reserves to secure the supply of crude oil
needed is ineffective. Today, many countries are evaluating their stocks of nonconventional gas reserves and the possibilities of producing these resources. Two perspectives are predominant in the global energy market. While the first of these
considers the positive effects, such investment will have on the energy market and
in energy geopolitics, the other view posits that shale gas will not be a factor which
has an effect on energy geopolitics (www.dergipark.gov.tr 2017).
However, costs may have the upper hand in determining which of these views
shall prevail, as governments will endeavor to support the national economy by
securing the reliable energy supply with affordable price (report 2014:322).
Shale Gas Revolution and International Relations
Several theories have been voiced about the shale gas revolution and its impact on
the international system and international relations. One of these occurs in a report
entitled: “Global Trends 2030: Alternative Words” published by “the US National
Intelligence Council (NIC)” in December 2012, as a possible scenario for the structural development of international relations in a period toward 2030, posited that no
hegemonic power would emerge. The report indicated that power in the international system will shift to networks and coalitions in a multipolar world. Accordingly,
it is stated that the US will become energy independent due to the shale gas revolution and the resultant increase in natural gas (report 2014:322). The NIC forecasts
that in terms of crude oil, in the shadow of increased domestic production capacity,
the US will reduce oil imports overall. Consequently, crude oil prices will collapse,
which would be a major impact on oil-exporting countries’ economies (report
2014:322).
Javier Solana, former “EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and
Security Policy (CFSP),” believes that the US will withdraw from the Middle East
in the wake of the energy boom and shale gas revolution. According to Solana, there
would not be a complete withdrawal, as it is necessary to maintain stability in oil
process in order to support keep regional ally Israel. (report 2014:322).
5 US Energy Diplomacy Under the Obama Administration