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PART TWO
OAPEC Activities in 2012
importance of Arabian Gulf as a major global exporting center.
Hence, countries may see that it is in their interest to convert
the Gulf, in the long run, into a pricing center by establishing
a market for their oils, in one way or another, to serve as the
reference for pricing their oil exports to global markets.
1.6 Development of Oil and Natural Gas Production and
Consumption in Asian Countries (Except China and India):
Implications for Member Countries
The study highlights the developments witnessed by the group of
Asian countries (except China and India) with regard to oil and natural
gas production and consumption. Member countries should monitor
these. These countries constitute significant markets in light of their
increasing consumption of oil and natural gas, at a time when the
demand by industrialized nations is declining.
The study is divided into 5 main thrusts. Thrust 1 describes the main
characteristics of Asian oil and natural gas markets, Thrust 2 addresses
the development of oil and natural gas consumption in the Asian
countries, except China and India, and the impact on member countries
trade. Thrust 3 gives a preview of the oil exports of member countries
to Asian countries (except China and India). Thrust 4 views the outlook
of demand for oil and natural gas in the Asian countries (except China
and India) up to 2035. Thrust 5 reviews the role of member countries in
meeting the expected Asian demand for oil and natural gas until 2035.
The main conclusion of the study is that the constant economic
growth witnessed by the majority of Asian economies (except China and
India) over the past two decades led to a progressive increase in oil and
natural gas consumption, without being met with a similar increase in
production. This was conducive to more dependence of those countries
on imports and the concentration of the major part on member countries.
The share of developing Asian countries is expected to exceed the share
of industrialized countries with effect from 2020. Hence, the importance
