Over the past decade, Asia has emerged as the major growth market for energy resources, particularly for natural gas. Demand for cleaner and cost-efficient sources of energy is expected to increase due to the high economic growth in the Asian economies. Already a major market for international natural gas business, these high growth nations will continue to be aggressive contenders for global energy resources.

To respond to the rising demand of the emerging economies, it will be important for the international gas suppliers to forge partnerships with gas constrained regions. Stronger gas supply networks, long-term gas sourcing contracts, access to advanced technology and investment options will be important to attain a stable and attractive gas market and ensure steady supply for the buyers. The development of a corresponding transportation and distribution infrastructure may also require transnational collaborative efforts.

Progress on regional pipelines, e.g., the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project is an encouraging development. It is projected to boost economic integration between energy abundant and energy deficient economies. In addition, technological advancements such as the floating storage re-gasification unit (FSRU) and floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) are likely to change the dynamics of the natural gas marketplace.

AGPS 2012, built around the theme ‘Evolving Dynamics of the Asian Gas Market: Challenges of Sourcing, Integration and Sustainability’ promises to provide a constructive platform to deliberate and promote a sustainable market that benefits economic prosperity of the Asian region as a whole.