Title: Modelling competition between natural gas pipeline projects to China

Authors: Volker Krey, Yaroslav Minullin

Addresses: Institute of Energy Research – Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation (IEF-STE), Research Centre Julich, 52425 Julich, Germany; ENE Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria. ' DYN Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria

Abstract: China|s natural gas demand is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades. Therefore the potential of several pipelines from Russia and other CIS countries to China has been investigated. A two-step game-theoretic procedure for the problem formulation is proposed to assess the projects| economic perspectives. In the instantaneous supply game the players determine optimal supply levels to the market. Based on these results the players decide in the game of timing when to construct their pipelines. Results indicate that a number of proposed pipelines are competitive under the assumptions made and could enter the market within the coming decade.

Keywords: China; natural gas pipelines; non-cooperative game theory; sustainable energy supply; competition modelling; sustainable development; sustainability; Russia; CIS countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2010.030571

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2010 Vol.10 No.1/2, pp.143 - 171

Published online: 24 Dec 2009 *

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