Сланцевый газ может расширить горизонты Армении
Оффшорная International Minerals and Mines (IMM) и Министерство Энергетики и Природных Ресурсов Армении подписали в августе меморандум о взаимопонимании по разведке запасов сланцевого газа.
По словам Жирайра Липаритяна, большее разнообразие источников энергии может позволить Армении более свободно действовать в геополитике.
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The report also stresses how new European energy sources could reduce the continent's dependence on imports, specifically from Russia. That parallels the situation confronting Armenia, which is heavily dependent on imported energy from Russia. The vast majority of Armenia's natural gas comes from a Gazprom pipeline through Georgia from the north, and it is estimated that Russia controls nearly 80 percent of Armenia's energy system.
Armenia's position is further complicated by its landlocked geography, wedged between historical adversary Turkey to the west and its chief foe, Azerbaijan, to the east. Russia, which in the 1990s supported Armenia during its war with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory, is geographically separated from Armenia by staunchly anti-Kremlin Georgia. This combination of geography and circumstances leaves Armenia relatively isolated and with minimal room to maneuver.
While Armenia has sought to emulate the Kazakhstan model of aligning with Moscow while remaining engaged with the West, Yerevan's dependence on Russia -- which also provides economic and military aid -- is considerable and operationally essential. Even when the Yerevan-Moscow alliance is tested by controversy, such as with Russian arms sales to Azerbaijan, Armenia has had few alternatives
Armenia's isolation and near-total reliance on Russia makes achieving greater energy independence a worthy goal for policymakers in Yerevan. Attempts to diversify imports have had some success: Iran supplies Armenia with both oil and natural gas, the latter through a pipeline completed in 2008. However, allegations have been leveled that Russia has used its political influence and commanding position in the Armenian energy sector to disrupt and minimize energy diversification through Iran, Armenia's only local alternative.
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Gerard Libaridian, director of the Armenia Studies Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, says that a more diverse energy supply could grant Armenia increased geopolitical leeway.
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Shale Gas Reserves Could Widen Armenia's Horizons
BY MICHAEL CECIRE | 08 SEP 2011