Topical Luncheons

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Monday, 3 May

1215–1345

Geoscientists Without Borders: Bringing Geoscience and Engineering Technology From the Energy Industry to Humanitarian Needs

Craig Beasley, Chief Geoscientist, Western Geco

Despite the depth of knowledge and technology in the energy industry today, it is unfortunate that we still lack having a direct impact on improving the lives of the world’s underserved people—particularly in the case of geosciences and engineering.

To address this issue, in early 2008, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Foundation accepted a $1 million donation from Schlumberger to found Geoscientists without Borders. This program makes grants of $100,000 per year for projects involving humanitarian applications of geophysics. It seeks to leverage the projects through partnerships with other organizations such as Engineers without Borders.

This luncheon will illustrate the issues involved in developing such a program and discuss ways in which it could be strengthened through collaboration.

CANCELLED - The Challenges and Rewards in operating in the world's offshore basins

(Formerly titled: Thunder Horse and Atlantis Deepwater Frontier Developments in the Gulf of Mexico)

Andy Inglis, Chief Executive, E&P, BP
See complete cancellation details.

Energy Myths and Realities

Keith Rattie, Chairman, President and CEO, Questar Corporation

Let’s talk about energy.

There may be no greater challenge facing mankind today than figuring out how we are going to meet the energy needs of a planet that may have 9 billion people living on it by the middle of this century.

The magnitude of that challenge becomes even more daunting when you consider that of the 6.5 billion people on the planet today, nearly two billion people don’t even have electricity.

Saudi Aramco Upstream Challenges and Plans

Zuhair Al-Hussain, Vice President, Drilling & Workover, Saudi Aramco

During the past few years, Saudi Aramco embarked on the largest capital program in its history to raise its sustainable oil capacity from about 10 million b/d to 12 million b/d. In the process, the company has built up a spare production capacity of nearly 4 million barrels per day that it believes will help ensure a sense of stability in the markets.

The presentation will address Saudi Aramco's challenges, expectations, and plans regarding its upstream business over the next several years. It will highlight the heightened effort in exploration of new oil and gas resources, and the fast-paced development of its gas fields.

Why We Hate The Oil Companies: Straight Talk From An Energy Insider

John Hofmeister, Founder, Citizens for Affordable Energy

As president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister was known for his willingness to challenge his industry peers. Now, as founder of Citizens for Affordable Energy, he is crisscrossing the country in a grassroots campaign to change the way we look at energy. While pundits and politicians offer false new promises of green energy independence, and others deny a climate problem, Hofmeister offers an insider’s view of energy companies, special interest posturing, and how politicians inflate energy costs in their own electoral interests. He details how misinformation, disinformation, and lack of information are exploited to hurt consumers.

In his new book, Why We Hate the Oil Companies, Hofmeister tackles energy and environment solutions head on, without regard for political correctness. He provides sound solutions for secure, affordable, and cleaner energy, sustained economic growth, environmental protection, and comfortable lifestyles.

Advance copies of his book will be available after the luncheon during a book-signing event.

Wednesday, 5 May

1215–1345

The Silver Lining of a Recession: Managing Through the Tough Times to a Bright Future

Steve Knowles, President, Mustang Engineering

Leading an oil and gas consulting company through the boom times is a wild ride filled with exhilaration, anticipation, and a healthy dose of satisfaction.

The thrill quickly turns to chill when the unpredictability of a recession hovers over the worldwide economy, causing uncertainty and fear across all markets, especially in the most global of all: energy.

The Strategic Vision of Total E&P

(Formerly titled: Future of Oil Reserves)

Y.L. Darricarere, CEO, Total E&P

Access to energy is a growing concern for the coming years. Total will effectively continue to contribute supplying hydrocarbons and other products to meet the energy demand from society.

In order to access hydrocarbons, technical audacity is ever more needed when assessing new plays or developing fields. Proven technology must be challenged by operators in order to bring the E&P industry beyond the existing frontiers.

The management of very large and daring projects will continue to be an asset for operators. Moreover, the duty to establish sustainable partnerships with host countries is even more emphasized.

This session will address a path forward for the industry in general and the long-term vision of Total’s E&P sector.

Opportunities and Challenges for Deep Water

John Hollowell, Executive Vice President, Deep Water, Shell

Sponsored by

Recent discoveries and new projects in deepwater and ultra deepwater point to a promising future for the offshore E&P industry, one filled with new opportunities and many difficult challenges.

As the industry marches into deeper waters, the challenge we face is to safely and economically drill, develop, and produce more difficult reservoirs using more complex development systems,even unde runcertain global economic and political conditions.

This presentation will provide aview ofthe business drivers and risks offuture deepwater oil and gas development and what it will take to make it successful.

Are Humans at Fault for More and Stronger Offshore Hurricanes?

Jill F. Hasling, President, Weather Research Center

There has been much discussion in the media that humans are causing global warming and therefore causing more frequent and intense hurricanes.

This talk will review past hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and will show how the offshore oil industry has grown in the Gulf of Mexico since 1947. The past storms will be compared to different cycles in the climate to determine if there has been a significant increase in the number and intensity of hurricanes. If there have been changes, are they natural cycles or due to human activities? 

The Global Energy Landscape

Phyllis Yoshida, Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of Energy

The world is on the cusp of a clean energy revolution that is essential to meet the energy and climate challenge.Accelerated investment in energy R&D will help drive the clean energy revolution through needed innovation and economic growth.

Which countries and companies become or stay leaders will depend on decisions that are made in the months and years ahead.The United States, through both public and private funds, is increasing its investments in the science and technology needed to support a clean energy future.But over the long run, we need significant global investment to achieve breakthroughs and better technologies.

What is our global energy future? Are countries and companies investing sufficiently? What are the barriers to widespread deployment of existing and new energy technologies?

Thursday, 6 May

1215–1345

Caspian Sea Energy Developments

Luis Coimbra, General Manager, Marketing and Transportation, Eurasia Business Unit, Chevron

Luis Coimbra will discuss oil export in the Caspian Region and the plans to expand the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipeline from 730 mbbl/day to 1.5 mmbbl/day.

Conventional Offshore Oil and Gas Enters Its Twilight Years: Are There Still New Frontiers to Tackle?

Matthew Simmons, Chairman Emeritus, Simmons & Company International

Sponsored by

Unquestionably, the age of conventional offshore oil and gas development is over. New discoveries lie in water depths that test the industry’s technical limits and vertical depths which the drill string is tapping reaches depths where bottom hole temperatures and pressure are beyond anything we have broached before. So is there any last frontier of usable energy to tap?

The answer lies in our oceans. Our oceans contain vast amounts of other forms of energy, such as offshore wind, aquatic plant life, gas hydrates, and oil seeps.

Exciting new offshore energy projects involve capturing offshore winds 10 to 20 miles beyond land. The most advanced offshore wind project under development is in the Gulf of Maine. Advanced composite-based wind turbines will capture wind-created electricity and then turn this into both potable seawater and liquid ammonia to begin replacing petroleum transportation fuels. Once this project proves commercially viable, it will spread to the Gulf of Mexico and around the world.

Ocean-created energy is in its infancy and is where offshore oil and gas was 60 years ago. This is the last and possibly only energy frontier.

US Climate Change Policy: Facing Up To Costs and Sacrifices

Phil Grossweiler, Principal Consultant, M&H Energy Services

This presentation will address the relationship between energy security and climate change.

Phil Grossweiler will summarize key technology options for future energy supplies and greenhouse gas emission reduction and will offer comparisons of “cap and trade” and a carbon tax. He will also discuss the costs and sacrifices either policy would impose on the US public.