Africa's Booming Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production: National Security Implications for the United States and China
Abstract
This monograph on Africa's energy future describes how the frenetic search for hydrocarbons in Africa has become so intense and wide ranging that there is planned or ongoing oil and gas exploration in at least 51 of the continent's 54 countries. Knowledge about Africa's geology is improving rapidly, generating great optimism about Africa's future growth and strategic position in the global economy. Because of a domestic boom in shale oil and gas in the United States, however, our nation's energy imports from Africa have been falling rapidly in recent years, raising the key strategic issue of whether Africa matters as much to U.S. energy security as it once did. Around 2030, North America is forecast to become a net oil exporter and will have little dependence on Africa for its energy needs. While Africa may be becoming less important for U.S. energy security, it is becoming more important for broader U.S. national security. This is so for a variety of reasons, such as the extraordinary trade and investment opportunities that this rapidly growing continent represents, including the need for $2.1 trillion in oil and gas sector investments between now and 2035 to realize its potential. Already, U.S. investments in African oil and gas in at least 22 countries on the continent are enormous, with prospects for future rapid growth. At the same time, the United States is also an exception. As this monograph explains, for most major consuming regions, notably our Western allies and China, Africa has already become a crucial element in their energy diversification strategies. Africa is playing an increasing -- not decreasing -- role for them as an energy supplier. Africa's importance for Beijing's energy security continues to rise because China, despite shale discoveries of its own, will increasingly depend on energy imports until well past 2040. An extensive appendix contains country profiles on oil and gas exploration and production in 51 of 54 African nations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA594265
Entities
People
- David E. Brown
Organizations
- United States Army War College