Abstract

The architecture of global energy security governance is very complicated. This article uses the complex regimes theory as a framework for the analysis of such institutional scheme. In the first part, this framework is used in order to address the genesis, development and interplay of the elemental regimes composing the energy regime complex. The focus is on three main dimensions of international energy governance: the institutions involved in oil supply security (Iea and Opec); the regimes involved in energy trade and investment protection; and the global forum for energy policy coordination (G8, etc.). In the second part, the concept of regime effectiveness at impact level is used to review the performance of the architecture of international energy security governance and to underline the new threats to its capacity.