Topical Luncheons

1215–1345, Monday, 4 May

Rooms 202, 204, 206, or 300, Reliant Center, Level 2 – rooms to be determined on-site.

Energy as a Common Need: Making Energy Policy Less Partisan and More Productive

William F. Whitsitt, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Devon Energy Corporation

Sponsored by

Energy policy discussion in the United States has become highly polarized and partisan. Groups advocating one approach or the other regularly talk past one another. Politicians make claims without factual basis or knowledge of energy markets.

It does not need to be this way. Policy participants should cut the rhetoric and begin the conversation with one another if we are going to move towards a better energy future.

Offshore access provides an excellent example. Polls have shown that the public is ahead of many policymakers in realizing that times and technology have changed. Better public and policymaker education may speed movement to more constructive debate. More engagement with state and local governments and coastal state citizens by energy companies may improve understanding of the environmental improvements and better management practices of an industry sought around the world for high-tech offshore oil and gas exploration and production. More outreach to environmental organizations may not change minds, but it could improve focus on the real issues.

The oil and natural gas industry is making progress, but more is possible and necessary.

Future Upstream Challenges and Solutions

Amin H. Nasser, Senior Vice President E&P, Saudi Aramco

Sponsored by

Mr. Nasser will discuss key challenges that are likely to be faced by the upstream oil and gas industry in the medium and long term. Solutions will be proposed for addressing the anticipated challenges, with particular emphasis given to the role of technology. Saudi Aramco's strategies and programs will be discussed.

Oil Industry in Brazil

New speaker! Jose Orlando Azevedo, President, Petrobras America

Sponsored by

Although the oil industry in Brazil began its activities in the late 1940s, a huge growth in this sector began after the discovery of the giant fields of Marlim and Albacora in Campos Basin in the 1980s. The increasing need of technology developments to allow production and the infrastructure implementation to support the growing activity composed the context of the Brazilian oil and gas industry’s improvements.

Recently, the increase on the biofuels research and production and the discovery of new oil accumulations on the pre-salt area, located on the southeast coast of Brazil, added new challenges that Brazil has to face in the near future.

This presentation shows the Brazilian efforts to act in several fronts of the energy area, developing not only the infrastructure, but also the local capability to face the challenges that the ever-growing industry imposes.

Newfoundland and Labrador: An Emerging Energy Warehouse, Growth and Opportunities

Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Sponsored by

Newfoundland and Labrador is unique in many ways, including its rich and diverse natural resources. Currently, this province is Canada's largest producer of light sweet crude with further development projects in progress. The province has released its first-ever energy plan to guide energy development and provide clarity for the oil and gas industry. With oil production exceeding one billion barrels, further developments such as the 560 million barrel Hebron heavy oil development, combined with advances in technology, mean more opportunities for the industry. This presentation will focus on the province's energy warehouse, particularly offshore oil and gas development; actions being taken by government to encourage further development; and reasons why Newfoundland and Labrador is a great place for opportunity and investment.