By Pratap John/Chief Business Reporter

Bokhanovsky (second left) and Newell (centre) with Michael T Brakke, industry economist at the EIA; Radia Sedaoui, GECF energy & gas market analyses department head and Alexander Sergeev, GECF economist

The role of natural gas in building a low carbon economy was the subject of discussion at a meeting between the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) secretary general Leonid Bokhanovsky and the head of US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Richard Newell in Doha yesterday.

“The pairing of gas with the development of alternative energy and promoting its environmental advantages also figured in the talks,” a GECF spokesman said.

During the meeting, Bokhanovsky highlighted the objectives of the Doha-based GECF and the role member countries play in the security of supply.

Furthermore, the two sides had a ‘thorough’ exchange of views on the current state of the regional and global gas markets as well as the prospects for their development in the short and long term.

In line with the GECF’s current efforts to develop and organise its information systems and mechanisms for gathering information, the two sides discussed the possibility to enhance intellectual co-operation related to data exchange and research.

The GECF said the two sides welcomed ‘further efforts for a potential dialogue’ between gas producing and gas consuming countries, facilitating related cross investments and technological exchange between them.

Bokhanovsky also briefed Newell on the actual preparations for the 1st GECF Gas Summit due to take place in Doha in November ‘with the objective of raising the confidence of consumers in the gas supply and producers in demand security and stability’.

“Both sides underlined their common desire to constructively contribute towards the development of transparent, efficient and competitive regional and global gas markets that are able to withstand current and future risks and challenges,” the spokesman said.

The EIA is chiefly responsible for the gathering, analysis and dissemination of information related to the energy industry. In this capacity the EIA plays an influential role in the US energy policy, and additionally is considered a valuable resource for information throughout the industry.