Robert Mabro and the theme of energy security

‘Energy security’ falls within the broad range of Robert Mabro’s work on energy, but it was not a leading issue. The phrase is a label for policy debate focused on the interests of developed oil importing countries. Mabro’s approach has always been broader, with particular attention being paid to understanding the global market and its geopolitical context and making sure that the position of the oil exporting countries was examined and explained. His views were (and I think still are) that security depends on co-operation, based on interdependence; that ‘the market’ is an insufficient basis for co-operation; and that there is a role for governments of exporting and importing countries to work together in the development of a structure for oil prices, moderated by some kind of expert advice. Over the years, the balance between states and markets has shifted against his view. However, the recent collapse in oil prices and its repercussions may mean that the story is not completely over