By Lisbeth Jovi Leitens - Lisbeth Jovi LeitensCybersecurity specialist with a master's degree in international affairs from King's College London
Oil pipelines are more than infrastructure; they are the arteries of global power. Stretching across continents, they form intricate networks that transport the oil and gas that fuel economies, keep industries afloat, and form the foundation of modern civilization. Their existence is not just about the flow of energy, but about control and the ability to influence markets, dictate terms and steer international relations. For centuries, access to and control of energy resources has been a critical factor in determining the geopolitical influence and economic prosperity of nations.
In today's world, energy pipelines are among the most valuable and contested assets in geopolitics. Not only are they essential for domestic energy security, but they are also used as strategic tools that influence global alliances, trade routes, and even military strategies. Having the ability to control or disrupt energy supply routes can alter the balance of power on the international stage, as states compete to ensure their access to these vital underground arteries.
Pipes as strategic assets
In an ideal world, countries would be energy self-sufficient, but the reality is different; few countries can fully meet their needs. This dependence generates a complex web of supply chains, making energy security as much a political issue as an economic one. For example, Europe imports 85 to 90 percent of its oil needs and a significant portion of its natural gas, making it vulnerable to any disruption in supply.
Unlike liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is transported by ship and can be rerouted, pipelines provide a steady, low-cost flow of energy. While LNG is best suited for long-distance ocean transportation, pipelines are the most efficient and economical option for nearby markets, making them reliable assets and political leverage. Those who control pipelines can dictate terms, influence prices, and even weaponize supplies to achieve political objectives.
Russia, Ukraine and Europe's energy dependence
Few regions illustrate the importance of pipelines as well as Europe's relationship with Russia. The continent has more than 200,000 kilometers of pipelines, many of which start from Russian gas fields and pass through Ukraine before reaching European markets. This role has made Ukraine a major player in the energy trade, as well as a consumer.
Before the 2014 conflict, Ukraine was making billions of dollars from Russian gas transit fees. But as tensions escalated, Moscow sought to bypass them by building alternative lines such as Nord Stream 1 and 2 through the Baltic Sea and leaving Stream to the south, weakening Kiev's economy and bargaining position.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 escalated the energy conflict, with sanctions, supply disruptions, and Europe's accelerated efforts to decouple from Russian gas. By the end of 2024, Russian gas exports through Ukraine stopped completely after Kiev refused to renew the transit agreement, declaring that it would not allow Russia to "earn billions on our blood."
Despite fears of widespread shortages and high prices, Europe was able to adapt quickly by increasing LNG imports from the United States, Qatar, and Australia, along with boosting renewable energy, radically changing the European energy landscape.
Russia's dominance of the European gas market has receded, perhaps for good, but the continent's energy security remains fragile, with pipelines and supply chains at the center of the next geopolitical equilibrium.
The struggle for energy in the Black Sea
It goes beyond pipelines to control the resources of the Black Sea, where eastern Ukraine and Crimea contain large reserves of shale gas and offshore oil. Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014 was not just a political move, but a strategy to control rich offshore energy fields and consolidate regional influence in the energy sector.
Moscow has repeatedly used gas as leverage, cutting off supplies to countries that have tried to challenge it, making energy security a top European priority.
Europe's search for alternatives
Europe's long dependence on Russian energy has made the search for alternatives an urgent necessity. Imports from the United States, Qatar and Australia provide a buffer, but they are expensive and require special infrastructure. Gas lines from North Africa - Algeria and Libya - are prone to political unrest. Renewable and nuclear energy are long-term solutions that require huge investments and a long lead time.
Despite all efforts, the pipelines remain the backbone of Europe's supply and a key political leverage tool.
The Future of Pipes in a Changing World
As the shift toward renewable energy accelerates, the role of pipelines may change, but for years they will remain at the center of the struggle for global influence. From the Nord Stream 2 controversy to the Russia-Ukraine rivalry and the emergence of new suppliers, pipelines remain influential in economics, alliances and conflicts.
As long as energy remains the lifeblood of modern civilization, pipelines will remain one of the most valuable and contested assets in international politics. Their entanglement with trade and energy policies ensures that they will remain a critical element of the regional and international balance of power for years to come.
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