№ 5 (49), 2011 - KazEnergy

expert opinionWorld EnergyOver the last decade in the developmentof world energy important trends which inuncontrolled flow would threaten stabilityof this area were revealed. These trends include:• changing relationship between consumersand producers, increasing competitionfor the limited energy resources;• high rates of energy consumption growthand change of its regional proportions;• high proportion and growing volumes ofconsumption of fossil fuels;• slowing down of energy supply growthrates ;• problems of providing investments to thedevelopment of energy sector;• change of the energy supply structure andenhancing the role of individual suppliers;• rise in energy prices and their volatility;• increasing of tension in providing energyneeds of transport and disproportions inthe oil refining;• growth of volumes of international energytrading, development of infrastructurecomponent of the energy supply and exacerbationof risk;• strengthening of political risks, includingtransit onesThe current situation in the global energysector is characterized by the intensificationof the contradictions between the majorplayers in international energy markets.The practice of relationships between producersand consumers, developed in the lateXX century, rooted in the past. A work ofexisting regulatory mechanisms of the worldenergy market becomes unusable, increasedcompetition among consumers, fueled by theadvent of powerful market players, like Chinaand India is becoming evident.While the main consumers of energy resourcesare highly developed powers anddeveloping countries in Asia, most of theworld's hydrocarbon reserves are concentratedin relatively small group of developingcountries and states with economies intransition. Such large-scale consumers likethe U.S., EU and China are focusing theireconomic as well as political resources forexpansion in the same markets, which leadsto increase of competition.82 № 5 (49), 2011