WASHINGTON, September 22 (RIA Novosti) -American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are already having an impact on world energy markets, but the timeline the US is following is not consistent with its stated geopolitical interests to try to counter Russian energy relations in Europe, Adam Stulberg, professor of Eurasian energy and statecraft at Georgia Tech University told RIA Novosti on Monday.
"The timelines for US exports of LNG are not consistent with any of our current geopolitical interests directly in Europe," Stulberg told RIA Novosti at George Washington University Eurasian policy conference, adding that the timelines are not favorable to making "a significant dent" in Russian markets.
However, according to Stulberg, any sales of LNG will affect prices. "So we have an impact even now," he explained.
The United States LNG shale gas revolution, largely dependent on more efficient extraction technologies like the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, has led to a boom in US production and potential exports. Already, regulators have authorized three LNG export facilities that will not come online until 2016.
Lawmakers in the US and Europe have been exploring export options to undermine Russia's energy relations with Europe. On Monday the Center for Global Energy Policy published statistics, showing American exports could result in an 11 percent decrease in the price Europeans can expect to pay for natural gas, as a result of a global depression in natural gas prices.
