The idea that oil producers and consumers are mutually dependent on one another. An appreciation of interdependence in an important component in the evolving conception of
energy security.

Energy interdependence is about building a relationship of mutual dependence between energy producers and energy consumers. In reality, producers continue to invest billions of dollars in consuming countries – particularly the United States – and both sides have a strong interest in a healthy global economy. More specifically, consumers worry about security of supply; producers worry about security of demand. We can address both worries by increasing access and investment across the entire value chain from upstream oil and gas fields to refining and transportation to downstream markets – and developing widely-based joint ventures. Energy in the 21st century is increasingly characterized by large institutions responsible for satisfying consumer’s energy needs; long distances separating resource exploitation from resource consumption; finite nature of fossil fuel resources; the need for vast investments to satisfy world requirements ($1 trillion a year until 2030); climate change; petrodollars earned by oil and gas exporting countries and paid by importers all requires increasing interaction among nations all leading to greater energy interdependence, rather than national energy independence.