Between today and 2010, East Asian economies will experience a larger increase in oil demand than all of the OECD nations combined. Economic growth in the region will partially fuel energy resource reliance; the energy-intensive structure of Asian industry, increased consumer demand, and energy-efficient practices will have adverse energy implications, including an increased energy linkage with the volatile Middle East. Asian energy demand could increase prospects for a global oil shock, particularly due to China's growing scale as an oil importer, and the fact that Asian demand is concentrated on a small number of Gulf suppliers. Also, Asia's demand will increase its political stakes in the region and dwarf the West's, and force a reevaulation of burden-sharing in crucial sea lanes. Other issues that will be raised include the use of nuclear power, maritime resource ownership, and natural-gas supplies. Deepening energy shortages will raise tensions over territorial claims.