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Prénom de l'expert
William C.
Nom de l'expert
RAMSAY

Intitulé du poste

Former Advisor, Energy and Climate Center, Ifri

Biographie En

From October 2008 to September 2011, William C. Ramsay was Director of the Ifri Energy Program.

1998-2008 : Deputy Executive Director, Internatioal Energy Agency (IEA). He has strongly increased the IEA's engagement with the principle exporters and importers of energy around the globe, while keeping the organization prepared to face energy security emergencies, raised the profile and the credibility of the IEA in the eyes of energy specialists and the public.

1996-1998 : Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Responsible for Energy, Commodities, Economic Sanctions
1993-1996 : Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Brazzavile, Republic of the Congo
1989-1993 : Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Energy Commodities, Agriculture Trade Policy
1988-1989 : Appointed to Senior Seminar
1986-1988 : Director, Office of Energy Producing Country Affairs
1983-1986 : Chief and the Economic Counselor of Embassy, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
1979-1982 : Regional Resource Officer, U.S. Mission to the European Communities, Brussels
1975-1979 : International Economist, Office of Fuels & Energy Department, Department of State, Washington DC 
1973-1975 : Commercial Attaché, Abidjan Ivory Coast
1971-1973 : Commercial Officer, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Masters of Business Administration in International Marketing, Michigan State University
Masters Degree in International Trade and Commodities, Leland Stanford University, California
Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Chemistry, Michigan State University

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Ifri, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, relies largely on private donors – companies and individuals – to guarantee its sustainability and intellectual independence. Through their funding, donors help maintain the Institute's position among the world's leading think tanks. By benefiting from an internationally recognized network and expertise, donors refine their understanding of geopolitical risk and its consequences on global politics and the economy. In 2024, Ifri will support more than 70 French and foreign companies and organizations.

Conférence Ramses 2024
Analysis from William C. RAMSAY
Publications

Gazprom and the EU: Raiding the Gas Companies

Date de publication
30 September 2011
Accroche

It was a matter of time before the Commission competition authorities looked into the business arrangements between Gazprom and its European partners. Some would ask why it took so long. 

Russian Gas: Reminder of Yesterday Presaging Tomorrow?

Date de publication
08 November 2011
Accroche

One can’t help but be struck by the irony earlier this week of Russian President (ad-interim) Medvedev celebrating the landing of gas in Lubmin Germany from the Nordstream gas pipeline from Russia while Former President and President-in-waiting Putin welcomes Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to seek a deal to send Russian gas east to Chinese markets.

Protecting Nuclear Installations: The difference between industrial safety and national security

Date de publication
27 May 2011
Accroche

There is a gritty public debate going on in Europe about what threats should be considered in conducting stress tests on existing nuclear power plants or in establishing safety criteria for new build nuclear power. 

OPEC: It Is about More Oil - Not Quotas

Date de publication
14 June 2011
Accroche

OPEC has certainly gone out of its way to show how little relevance it has in today’s oil market. It has successfully imported all the political rhetoric and malaise of some of its most unstable members.

A Tragic Tale of Corn and Congress

Date de publication
21 July 2011
Accroche

Ever since Iowa landed the privilege of holding the first Presidential primary, no candidate has the political courage to confront the $11 billion subsidy price tag of US corn ethanol. Everyone agrees we need to dilute our supply and price vulnerability in transportation fuels and everyone agrees we need to decarbonize the transport sector. But surely not this way.

IEA Crisis Management: Evolving with the Risks

Date de publication
29 July 2011
Accroche

Last week the IEA chose not to renew its June strategic stock release. It was the right decision. The volumes of strategic crude and product taken up by the market will be reaching refineries now and incremental volumes produced in the Arabian Gulf will be steaming towards markets.

Trans Caspian Gas: A Worthy Teething Ring for Europe's Energy Diplomats

Date de publication
21 September 2011
Accroche

As an early task in its efforts to build a common external energy policy, the Commission has announced it will turn its attention to bringing the vast gas resources of Turkmenistan to European consumers. This will be an excellent place for the Commission to test its ability to speak with one voice for its polyglot constituency. First, their task may be facilitated by the fact that on this topic, no European voices are yet particularly audible.

German Nuclear: Green Is Good Politics

Date de publication
26 May 2011
Accroche

In polarized politics, the voter must take on faith the wisdom inherent in the principled political position. Who cannot be impressed by the nuclear catastrophe at Fukushima, especially after living through the fallout from Chernobyl? But is it reasonable to send the voter to the booth with only half the information? Does the German voter have any idea what it means to shut down its nuclear power in just ten years? Have German politicians made any effort to tell them?

Political Oil Prices: A Measured Response if Any

Date de publication
09 May 2011
Accroche

Oil prices are becoming an increasingly worrisome factor in today’s economies. They have risen dramatically over the past 6 or 7 months and are now driving inflation in many economies and acting as a drag on nearly all. They are not at these levels because markets are fundamentally out of balance.

Gas Pains: What to Do About France's Shales

Date de publication
14 April 2011
Accroche

Like other countries in Europe, France has the potential to produce both oil and gas from shale. In the Paris Basin, where oil has been exploited for decades, oil shale quite similar to the Bakken play in North America has considerable promise due to new drilling and exploitation techniques. The potential for shale gas in the South east is less well known and needs to be assessed.