Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council faces a severe shortage of natural gas, a report said.

Booz & Co. asserted that the six GCC states would be struck by a growing shortage of gas by 2015.

In a report, Booz, a leading consultant, said the Gulf Arab states were struggling to find gas suppliers to keep up with rising domestic demand.

The report, titled “Gas Shortage in the GCC: How to Bridge the Gap,” said GCC states were challenged by rising domestic electricity demand along with a decline in energy sources. Booz said GCC states were also limited by long-term commitments to export gas.

The report recommended that GCC states, several of which were fighting rising unrest, increase the price of gas and invest in alternative energy.
Booz cited nuclear energy programs by such GCC members as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

  Booz & Co., Export commitments, Gulf Cooperation Council, nuclear energy programs, Report: Rising demand, shrinking supply put Gulf states in energy bind