Energy security

Definition. Energy security refers to a country’s capacity to obtain the energy it needs in a sufficiently regular, accessible and predictable manner.

Key points

• It depends on sources of supply, infrastructure and reserves.

• Diversification reduces dependence on a single supplier or corridor.

• For fuels, ports, pipelines, refineries and storage capacity are decisive.

Underlying question

An oil-producing country may remain vulnerable if it does not have the facilities required to process, transport or distribute its resources.

In Merisphere

Oil article; examples from Nigeria, Kenya and landlocked countries.

Core references to associate with the factsheets

• International Energy Agency: Oil Market Report and data on oil markets.

• OPEC: production decisions and oil statistics.

• National sources from the producer and importer countries concerned.

• Specialist sources and the international financial press for prices, refining margins and trade flows.