As the current 2006–09 IGU research triennium comes to an end and committees prepare for presentations and sharing results at the World Gas Conference in October, preparations for the next triennium are underway. The strategic guidelines for the triennium of 2009–12 are as follows:

* Enhance the role of gas for sustainable development and balancing the needs of all stakeholders. * Improve availability of gas and access to markets. * Maximise efficiency throughout the expanding gas value chain. * Ensure adequate human capability to enable growth and integrity of the industry.

The IGU will be managed under a Malaysian presidency, which plans to introduce the following three special projects: Building strategic human capital

This research project will focus on understanding key issues impacting on the attraction to and retention of talent in the gas industry. The project will aim to develop a strategic approach to human capacity building to ensure sufficient and capable manpower is available at the right time and place for future sustainability and integrity of the gas industry.

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Nurturing future generations

This project will aim to develop a comprehensive approach to nurture future generations for the energy industry and implement specific youth programs.

Geopolitics of natural gas

This project will attempt to examine and understand the interplay between economic and political factors in the development of natural gas resources. It will:

* Analyse the political challenges, mega-trends, issues and consequences that may shape and drive the future natural gas-intensive world. * Engage the international community in dialogue. * Distil potential recommendations for further advancement of co-operation between the relevant players.

Relevant IGU committees will publish their research at the World Gas Conference in Argentina. WOC4 Research in 2009–12 The primary role of Working Committee 4 (WOC4) in the 2009–12 triennium is to support the promotion of gas industry efficiency and accountability.

The following WOC4 committee members are confirmed for the 2009–12 research triennium:

Chair - Italy

Secretary - Italy

Vice-Chair - Germany

Study Group 4.1 Leader - Netherlands

Study Group 4.2 Leader - Belgium

Study Group 4.3 Leader - Australia (Barbara Jinks)

The main aim of Working Committee 4 (WOC4) will be to combine the traditional report with a series of tools that can be of immediate use to companies in managing their distribution assets. Deliverables from the research will consist of comprehensive reports that will provide insight on the topics selected; the identification of key learnings; a set of proposals for future development or improvement; and, where possible, provide case and benchmarking studies, best practices listings and statistical data. WOC4 study group participation

Readers are invited to look at the subjects and decide whether they would like to be involved with the research, which will commence in November this year. Corresponding members can assist the study groups via email or internet only, without having to attend meetings.