Natural gas pipelines in northeast Asia: The perspective from Japan

Summary

Since Northeast Asian natural gas markets are relatively immature, no long‐distance gas pipeline has been established up to this date. In the region as a whole, however, natural gas could play a significant role in the energy mix, if we take into account the vast reserves in Russian East Siberia and Far East areas and the huge regional energy demand ‐particularly in China. On the other hand, the share of natural gas in any country's primary energy consumption is unlikely to rise significantly, without pipeline networks. Important preconditions for international gas pipelines, in general, include regional political stability, harmonious bilateral relations among neighbouring countries, regional initiatives and consensus for the projects, along with economic viability. In Northeast Asia, however, most of these prerequisites have not yet been fully established or are at an early stage.