1st Edition

The Economics of the Gas Supply Industry

By Malcolm Abbott Copyright 2016
    236 Pages 41 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    250 Pages 41 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    In recent years, natural gas has become a major source of energy, with trade across borders increasing through both pipelines and as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Owing to this global development, this book traces the development of the gas supply industry, from localised to national industries and national industries to a major global industry. It looks at the basic economics and origins of the industry, as well as the role of the government in its development and relation to international markets. The book highlights certain economic characteristics such as the industry’s vertical and horizontal structure, the composition of consumer demand and the role of government in safety, planning and investment. With the understanding of the industry's long term development, the book helps to illustrate the relationship between natural gas producers and importers of LNG.

    This book would be of interest to scholars majoring in resource economics and energy economics, as well as to international practitioners in the natural gas market.

    1. Overview

    2. The Economics of the Industry

    3. The Origins of the Gas Industry

    4. Economic Regulation

    5. The Sources of Government Ownership

    6. The End of an Industry and the Beginning of a New One

    7. Reform and Structural Change

    8. Reform and Productivity Change in the Natural Gas Industry

    9. The Emerging Structure of the Natural Gas Industry in China

    10. Modern Natural Gas Markets

    11. Conclusion: Natural Gas in the Twenty-first Century

    Biography

    Malcolm Abbott is Associate Professor of Economics at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.