An analysis of energy problems requires a comprehensive presentation of basic supply and demand data for all fuels in a manner which allows the easy comparison of the contribution that each fuel makes to the economy and their interrelationships through the conversion of one fuel into another. This type of presentation is suitable for the study of energy substitution, energy conservation and forecasting.

A common way to measure and compare the energy intensity of different countries, and how this changes over time, is to look at the ratio of energy supply to GDP. It should be noted that energy intensity is only a poor proxy of energy efficiency, as the latter depends on numerous elements (such as climate, output composition, outsourcing of goods produced by energy-intensive industries, etc.) that are not considered by the simple measure of energy supply to GDP shown here.

Total primary energy supply per capita is a common, albeit imperfect, measure of energy efficiency in a country. For instance, neither the impact of climate on energy use (heating, cooling) nor the size of the country and the density of the population are taken into account when comparing countries. Energy analysts usually prefer to compare energy use per unit of output or per unit of GDP. However, energy supply per capita is presented here since its use is widespread.

The amount of electricity generated by a country, and the breakdown of that production by type of fuel, reflects the natural resources, imported energy, national policies on security of energy supply, population size, electrification rate as well as the stage of development and rate of growth of the economy in each country.

In 2008 nuclear energy provided over 21% of total electricity supply in OECD countries. However, the use of nuclear energy varies widely. In all, 17 of the 30 OECD countries use nuclear energy at present, with seven generating one-third or more of their power from this source. Collectively, OECD countries produce about 83% of the world’s nuclear energy. The remainder is produced in 14 non-OECD economies.

More and more governments are recognising the importance of promoting sustainable development and combating climate change when setting out their energy policies. Higher energy use has contributed to higher greenhouse gas emissions and higher concentration of these gases in the atmosphere. One way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to replace energy from fossil fuels by energy from renewables.

Energy production is a function of the natural resources of each country and of the economic incentives to exploit those resources. Countries will also take into consideration energy security and environmental protection when making decisions on how much and what type of energy to produce.

The Middle East and North Africa are exceptionally wellendowed with energy resources, holding about 70% of the world’s proven conventional oil reserves at the end of 2008. Current oil production is relatively low in comparison to these reserves and further development of them will be critical to meeting global energy needs in the coming decades. Unconventional oil (e.g. oil shale and sands, liquid supplies based on coal and biomass, and liquids arising for the chemical processing of natural gas) is also expected to play an increasing role in meeting world demand.

The price of crude oil, from which petroleum products such as gasoline are derived, is influenced by a number of factors beyond the traditional movements of supply and demand, notably geopolitics. Some of the lowest cost reserves are located in sensitive areas of the world. There is not one price for crude oil but many. World crude oil prices are established in relation to three market traded benchmarks (West Texas Intermediate [WTI], Brent, Dubai), and are quoted at premiums or discounts to these prices.