In previous articles, I referenced the impact of regional conflicts on energy security, including the threat to maritime corridors for energy transport, which has persisted throughout all the conflicts witnessed in the region, including the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and the current events in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. All these incidents have significantly affected global energy supplies and were a catalyst for the establishment of military alliances aimed at safeguarding energy security and its transportation routes. Despite the importance of this, energy security has other dimensions, including how to protect production areas themselves from conflicts, whether internal or regional. The latter has also targeted oil facilities, with the most prominent example being the targeting of Saudi Aramco oil facilities by drones and the facilities belonging to ADNOC in the UAE. This implies that maintaining energy security has multiple aspects, the most important of which is how to protect the production areas themselves.

One of the recent incidents in this context is the closure of Libyan oil fields and its impact on the country’s revenues from this resource, in addition to the workforce operating in those fields. The risks threatening energy security are not limited to the impact on the production of fields in conflict areas but also extend to the exposure of oil facilities to terrorist attacks. A prominent example of this was the siege of the In Amenas gas field in Algeria in January 2013, which housed 800 workers of various nationalities. The Algerian army was able to end the siege of the field through intervention after three days, resulting in the deaths of 40 workers and 39 militants.

In reality, energy security has been a focal point for the national security strategies of major countries concerning the Middle East region, led by these countries as well as defense organizations such as NATO. The U.S. national security strategy issued in 2022 stated that “the United States will not tolerate threats to freedom of navigation in strategic straits and crossings such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.” Despite the importance of this, that strategy did not explicitly mention specific mechanisms for this, but the reference to this issue means that successive U.S. administrations—regardless of whether they were Republican or Democratic—still prioritize energy security in the Middle East and the Gulf as part of their agenda. In fact, it remains one of the red lines that cannot be crossed by any regional party, which explains the establishment of those military alliances. Conversely, the issue of energy security was not a point of interest in NATO’s strategic concept published in 2022, despite the intensifying maritime security threats coinciding with the issuance of that concept, along with a statement from Jens Stoltenberg, the then-NATO Secretary-General, warning that energy security in the Middle East faces numerous threats and specifically warning certain countries about the threats to energy security. There is no doubt that this issue remains of interest to all other global powers with significant interests in the region, even if they have not announced specific plans to protect energy security.

With the importance of the regional and international dimensions of energy security, which have historically represented a focal point of interest for all countries, this issue should be prioritized within the national security of countries given the continued central role of oil in national income, with the Libyan case exemplifying this. More than one million barrels of Libyan oil exports are threatened, leading to global repercussions, including a 3% rise in crude oil prices. This brings to mind the repercussions of the Libyan crisis in 2011 when oil prices in global markets reached $112 a barrel, prompting NATO’s intervention in that crisis due to its impact on the essential interests of the alliance’s countries.

In my estimation, there are three dimensions to energy security. While it is related to regional conflicts, securing national oil facilities in each country is a strategic matter due to two factors: First, the view of non-state groups toward oil facilities and fields as easy targets that can be exploited through the misuse of technology, with numerous examples of this. Second, some oil transport lines extend long distances through exposed desert areas, making them vulnerable to targeting. This means that there must be simultaneous efforts to utilize technology to protect these facilities, as well as the importance of conducting relevant simulation drills for managing crises related to threats to those facilities, whether from military or cyber attacks, or facing a terrorist attack on these facilities. On another note, the unprecedented escalation of regional crises has had a direct impact on energy security, both in production areas and particularly in maritime transport routes. While there is coordination and cooperation, including between Gulf countries, there are other requirements that go beyond protecting transport routes, including how to handle widespread marine pollution due to oil tanker sinkings, which has become a pressing challenge amidst rising tensions in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea.

Furthermore, there are always questions raised about international roles in protecting energy security, especially during crises through leading alliances that have succeeded to some extent in maintaining energy security,

but still remain vulnerable in light of the accelerating tensions in the Middle East region. In this context, there are historical precedents for international efforts to secure energy corridors. An example of this is the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its defense mechanisms aimed at protecting energy supplies and ensuring stability in the region.

However, the challenges that energy security faces are compounded by geopolitical dynamics. The growing influence of emerging powers, coupled with the assertiveness of traditional powers in the region, complicates the energy security landscape. For instance, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has introduced a new dimension to energy security, as it seeks to establish new trade routes and partnerships that may either alleviate or exacerbate existing tensions in the Middle East.

Moreover, climate change and the global shift towards renewable energy sources present a dual challenge and opportunity for energy security. On one hand, there is a pressing need to secure traditional energy sources amidst changing consumption patterns and potential market fluctuations. On the other hand, the transition to renewable energy requires significant investments in infrastructure and technology, posing questions about how to balance these priorities with the immediate need for energy security.

In conclusion, energy security remains a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach. It demands collaboration among countries, adaptation to new technological advancements, and a proactive stance in crisis management. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, energy security will remain a cornerstone of national and international strategies, necessitating ongoing vigilance and innovation in safeguarding this vital resource.

Note: This article has been automatically translated.

Source: Akhbar Al Khaleej