Analyzing Stability of Global Natural Gas Trade Network: An Application of Complex Network Theory

This paper evaluates the structure, topological features and stability of the global trade of natural gas, including both pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), using complex network theory. According to the results, the natural gas trade network can be mostly described as a free scale network with heterogeneous characteristics. The results indicate that for most countries LNG trade network is more flexible than pipeline natural gas trade network. In addition, supply security and resilience of gas importing countries highly depends on diversification of supply sources and enhancing trade relationships with politically stable gas exporting countries. Although natural gas trade networks are mostly resilient to random disturbances, they are vulnerable to deliberate manipulations. Finally, LNG networks are much vulnerable to any trade disturbance compared to pipeline networks.