10. Strategic implications for Europe

Europe is increasingly dependent on oil and gas imports. The European Commission estimates that oil dependency could reach 90% by 2020, and gas dependency 70% by 2030. For the time being, a large proportion of these imports come from Russia. The physical security of these supplies is therefore good. But increased imports, for example from West Africa and the Middle East, will undoubtedly be threatened by acts of piracy off the African coast. Europe should therefore become more involved in securing hydrocarbon supplies in this new geopolitical situation. Given budgetary and military constraints, is this still feasible?