---
title: 'Natural Gas Regional Economic Hub in Georgia — Doctoral Dissertation'
url: 'https://shotagujabidze.com/media/dissertation-natural-gas-regional-economic-hub-in-georgia'
markdown: 'https://shotagujabidze.com/media/dissertation-natural-gas-regional-economic-hub-in-georgia.md'
lang: en
date: '2023-05-20'
description: 'On May 20, 2023, Shota Gujabidze, a doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Engineering Economics, Media Technologies and Social Sciences of the Georgian Technical University, defended his doctoral dissertation entitled “Natural Gas Regional Economic Hub in Georgia” under the supervision of Professor Aleksandre Sichinava.'
taxonomy:
tag:
- 'natural gas'
---
# Natural Gas Regional Economic Hub in Georgia — Doctoral Dissertation
On May 20, 2023, Shota Gujabidze, a doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Engineering Economics, Media Technologies and Social Sciences of the [Georgian Technical University](https://gtu.ge/Archive/22514/), defended his doctoral dissertation entitled “[Natural Gas Regional Economic Hub in Georgia](https://opac.gtu.ge/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=68105&query_desc=%E1%83%92%E1%83%A3%E1%83%AF%E1%83%90%E1%83%91%E1%83%98%E1%83%AB%E1%83%94%20%E1%83%A8%E1%83%9D%E1%83%97%E1%83%90)” under the supervision of Professor [Aleksandre Sichinava](https://gtu.ge/social/about/structure/deanery.php).
Given the interdisciplinary nature of the research topic, during the research process Shota Gujabidze worked closely with leading researchers and doctoral candidates from the Faculty of Mining and Geology.
According to Shota Gujabidze, a number of significant studies were conducted as part of the doctoral research. The study examined the possibilities of supplying natural gas reserves from Azerbaijan and other countries of the Caspian region to Europe, as well as Georgia’s potential not only to participate in transit operations, but also to establish a direct trading platform and a regional natural gas hub.
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**Shota Gujabidze**:
> As part of the research, we analyzed the challenges associated with Europe’s natural gas supply. We compared methods of transporting gas from Georgia across the Black Sea, taking into account the transport opportunities offered by the Eurasian Middle Corridor, and identified the optimal transportation option for our conditions. We also identified target ports for supplying European countries.
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> We also developed a modular method for transporting liquefied gas through a terminal based on an underground gas storage facility, making Georgia’s position in supplying natural gas to Europe highly efficient and competitive.
According to Professor Aleksandre Sichinava of the Faculty of Engineering Economics, Media Technologies and Social Sciences, the research conducted and solutions developed within Shota Gujabidze’s doctoral dissertation ultimately serve one principal objective — strengthening Georgia’s role in European energy security through the establishment of a regional natural gas hub in Georgia.
**Aleksandre Sichinava**:
> In analyzing the challenges associated with Europe’s natural gas supply, the doctoral candidate identified the causes of these problems and proposed economically substantiated and, one might say, innovative methods for addressing them. The dissertation presents in detail the concepts outlining the path Georgia, as a country performing the function of the Middle Corridor, should follow in order to develop into a regional natural gas hub. This, in turn, would generate tens of millions of GEL in economic benefits for the country.
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> It would also contribute to the development of previously dormant sectors of industry and help Georgia become a center for the storage, production, and transportation of gas products. Europe today faces an extremely difficult challenge — replacing its dependence on Russian gas by securing gas supplies from alternative sources and arranging their transportation. Europe has found alternatives, but the gas obtained through them costs approximately twice as much. At the same time, Europe is unable to fully ensure its energy security through gas storage facilities.
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> This is particularly relevant in Southeastern Europe, where seasonal price differentials consequently have a considerable impact. Shota Gujabidze’s doctoral research represents a successful step toward a comprehensive solution to the issue of European energy security.
---
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