AN ANALYSIS OF THE SECURITY OF NATURAL GAS SUPPLY IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Abstract

In the global economy today energy certainly has a strategic importance, whereas in terms of energy supply and securing of primary energy sources a special role is played by crude oil and, to an increasing extent since the start of the new century, natural gas. In the past two decades the consumption of natural gas has been significantly rising and natural gas as energy source is gaining, like crude oil, a strategic importance. While oil is still a dominant energy source in the overall global consumption, which is not going to change in some decades to come, it is anticipated that the share of natural gas in the world energy consumption will go up by 2050 from the present 23 % to nearly 45 %. Securing oil and gas supply is hence a primary task of the energy policy of any country. Considering the fact that 70 % of its primary energy needs Croatia meets by using liquid and gaseous fuels, it is extremely important to review the needs, circumstances and situations concerning natural gas supply and to analyze the overall security of natural gas supply as a prerequisite for Croatia’s energy security as a whole.