Speaker: Ronald D. Ripple (Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Australia)

Time：8am-12am, October.13th, 2012

Location：CEEP-BIT

Title：Global Natural Gas

About Report:

The natural gas lecture will cover the supply and demand for natural gas around the world, the share of natural gas in the fuel mixes in different regions and countries, the different pricing mechanisms for natural gas and the different market structures that have existed, do now exist, and may potentially exist in the future. There will be an emphasis on the role of unconventional sources of natural gas, like shale gas, tight gas, and coal bed methane (along with a discussion of their specific geological characteristics and implications for costs to commercially produce). There will be a specific focus on China’s plans for a greater role for natural gas in its fuel mix and what the potential is for domestic production from conventional and unconventional sources, as well as both pipeline- and LNG-based imports.

About Speaker:

Professor Ripple joined Curtin University in August 2008 following six years with the Department of Economics at Macquarie University in Sydney, including one year as Head of Department. Ron has studied the economics of energy markets and the financial derivatives markets that play such an important role in this vital sector of the economy. Professor Ripple has published numerous academic papers, trade press articles, energy industry reports, and book chapters. A select few include recent publications: “Energy consumption and real income: A panel cointegration multi-country study,” with Roselyne Joyeux, The Energy Journal, 2011, 32:2, pp. 107-141; “International steam coal market integration,” with Raymond Li and Roselyne Joyeux, The Energy Journal, 31:3, (2010), pp. 181-202; “The effect of maturity, trading volume, and open interest on crude oil futures price range-based volatility,” with Imad A. Moosa, Global Finance Journal, 20:3, (2009), pp. 206-219; and “International energy derivatives markets,” Chapter 30 in International Handbook on the Economics of Energy, editors: L. Hunt and J. Evans, Edward Elgar, 2009, pp. 707-739. He has also studied the energy markets and systems of the Asian region authoring Natural Gas in Asia, 2nd Edition, Financial Times Energy Publishing, November, 1999, and co-authoring Independent Power Producers in Asia: Past, Present and Future, co-authored with Emiko Takahashi, Financial Times Energy Asia Pacific, July 1997.