Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)
The GECF is an organisation for the main gas producing companies, which was set up in 2001 and is currently based in Doha (Qatar). GECF member countries own 73% of global gas reserves and control 42% of gas marketed worldwide each year.
GECF’s objectives:
- To foster the concept of mutuality of interests by favouring dialogue between producers, between producers and consumers and between governments and energy-related industries.
- To provide a platform to promote study and exchange of views.
- To promote a stable and transparent energy market.
The GECF does not have a fixed membership structure but Algeria, Bolivia, Brunei, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the UAE and Venezuela are recognised as its current members. Turkmenistan, Bolivia, Indonesia, Libya and Oman have taken part in various ministerial meetings. Norway has observer status.
International Gas Union (IGU)
IGU was founded in 1931 and is a global non-profit association registered in Vevey (Switzerland) and its secretariat is currently located in Oslo (Norway).
The mission of IGU is to advocate for gas as an integral part of a sustainable global energy system, and to promote the political, technical and economic progress of the gas industry. IGU’s more than 116 members are gas industry associations and corporations representing over 95% of the global gas market. The working organisation of IGU covers the complete value of the gas chain from exploration and production, transmission via pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as distribution and combustion of the gas at the point of use.
The IGU encourages international trade in gas by supporting non-discriminatory policies and sound contracting principles and practices, promoting development of technologies which add to the environmental benefits of gas and further enhance safe production, transmission, distribution and utilisation of gas. IGU has the vision of being the most influential, effective and independent non-profit organisation serving as the spokesperson for the gas industry worldwide.
African Petroleum Producers’ Association (APPA)
The APPA was founded in 1987 to promote common energy policy and strategy initiatives in Africa. The association came into being as the African member countries considered that since their combined production was more than 8 million barrels a day, putting them in third place behind Saudi Arabia and Russia (9.8 and 8.5 million respectively), they should coordinate their work to defend their interests. Equatorial Guinea has been a member of this association since 2005.
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