Faculty Online Seminar – “Eurasian Gas Market Integration: Implications for Chinese Energy Security” by Mr. Shaimerden Chikanayev

China’s goal to reduce its dependence on coal will require a significant increase in the use of natural gas, but limited domestic supplies mean that China will have to heavily rely on natural gas imports, including from Russia and Central Asia. In this context, the ongoing integration of the Russian and Kazakh gas markets within the Eurasian Economic Union is of strategic relevance for Chinese external energy security. This presentation aims to introduce the legal aspects governing the creation of a Eurasian gas market and understand the impact of this integration initiative on Chinese gas investment and trade in the region. The focus will be on Third Party Access to gas pipeline infrastructure.

About the speaker:
Mr. Shaimerden Chikanayev has over 15 years of experience in the field of infrastructure law as partner of the biggest law firm in Central Asia (GRATA Law) and as in-house counsel of an international financial institution. Chambers, Legal 500, Asialaw Profiles and International Financial Law Review consistently rank Shaimerden among the top Kazakhstan lawyers for his experience in project finance, public-private partnership, M&A and capital market. Shaimerden is currently engaged in academic research on the topic of Eurasian gas market integration as Research Assistant at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law.

The online seminar is organized for CUHK Law students to attend only.