The Geopolitics of Energy Infrastructure: Analyzing Pipeline Diplomacy and Gas Pricing Disputes in Divided Polities

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 8, No. 2, February 2017 | pp. 676–684

DOI: 10.46882/2017/GJPCS/000097

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: The Geopolitics of Energy Infrastructure: Analyzing Pipeline Diplomacy and Gas Pricing Disputes in Divided Polities

Names of Authors: Viktor Kovac¹, Anna Kowalski²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of International Relations, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; ²Institute of Political Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland

Abstract: Abstract: The strategic reliance of consumer states on external natural gas supplies has increasingly transformed energy infrastructure corridors into critical levers of geopolitical influence. This research examines the structural mechanisms of pipeline diplomacy and the geopolitical fallout of transit pricing disputes within complex transnational networks. Using game-theoretic strategic modeling, maritime export tracking data, and regional energy policy declarations from 2005 to 2016, we analyzed state behavior during supply interruptions. The empirical models confirm that asymmetrical dependency on a single energy exporter increases state vulnerability to diplomatic coercion by 55% during winter heating seasons. The study indicates that transit infrastructure vulnerabilities create strong structural incentives for state suppliers to pursue alternative, bypass transit routes. The findings demonstrate that regional energy integration and reverse-flow pipeline capabilities significantly decrease the success rate of geopolitical coercion attempts (Beta = -0.38, p < 0.01). The paper concludes that establishing a unified regional energy procurement framework is essential for insulating economic networks from regional security vulnerabilities.

Keywords: Energy Infrastructure, Pipeline Diplomacy, Gas Pricing, Geopolitical Coercion, Transit Vulnerability, Strategic Modeling, Supply Interruptions

Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 02, 2016; Revised: November 11, 2016; Accepted: December 14, 2016; Published: February 18, 2017

Citation: Kovac, V., & Kowalski, A. (2017). The Geopolitics of Energy Infrastructure: Analyzing Pipeline Diplomacy and Gas Pricing Disputes in Divided Polities. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 8(2), 676–684. DOI: 10.46882/2017/GJPCS/000097

Subscribe to read the full article: https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read