energy players

• examples of energy players

  -governments

  -generators and distributors

  -environmentalists

  -OPEC

  -scientists

  -energy TNCs

  -consumers
• what does OPEC stand for?


  organisation of petroleum exporting countries
• what are TNCs role?


  • explore, export, and distribute energy resources
  • own supply lines and invest in distribution, process raw materials, electricity production and transmission 
  • respond to market conditions to secure profits for shareholders
• examples of TNC players


  OLD players -> BP, uk - Shell, uk + netherlands - Exxon/Mobil, usa

  NEW players -> Petrobras, brazil - PetroChina Corp, china - Reliance, india - Rosneft, Luckoil, Gazprom, russia

  All apart of global top 20 energy companies
• what is OPECs role?

  coordinate and unify petroleum policies between members, to ensure stabilisation of oil markets to secure:

  • an efficient, economic, and regular supply of petroleum to customers
  • a steady income for producers
  • fair return for investors in the industry
• example of OPEC doing its role


  past - OPEC set oil production quotas to respond to economic conditions: boosting supplies when demand rose and reducing them as it fell. 

  2012-16 output at high levels kept oil prices low- possibly to compete with USA production when they started fracking- caused a collapse in global oil prices
• what are national governments role?


  -meet international obligations 

  -securing energy supplies for present and future

  -supporting economic growth

  -regulating private companies and setting environmental rules
• examples of national governments doing their roles

  EU governments aim to fulfil CO2 emissions targets and reduce fossil fuel dependency

  EDF (France) and China General Nuclear - government backed TNCs involved in setting up nuclear plants in the UK
• what is a consumers role?


  create demand - choices are based of price 

  consumers have power over oil companies
• examples of consumers doing their role


  cost competition - petrol stations all offer different prices

  consumer power - ethical choices and demonstrations

  UK and EU fracking is controversial