World needs more energy with fewer emissions: Adnoc CEO
ABU DHABI, September 9, 2019
World needs more energy with fewer emissions, said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), adding that the UAE remains commited to maintaining and promoting a fully diversified energy mix and remaining a reliable supplier to global energy markets.
He was addressing global energy leaders and policymakers at the 24th World Energy Congress which kicked off today in Abu Dhabi.
The World Energy Congress is the world’s largest and most influential energy event covering all aspects of the energy agenda with delegates from over 150 countries. The triennial event which started in 1924 is organised by the World Energy Council and is taking place in the Middle East for the first time.
Dr Al Jaber detailed the mega trends impacting the rise in energy demand driven by population growth and the spending power of middle class consumers.
"Over three times the amount of energy currently consumed by all of Europe will be added to global energy demand in the next two decades. To meet this demand, we will need an inclusive response that integrates and optimises a fully diversified energy mix," he stated.
"Here in the UAE, our leadership has created an ecosystem that supports all forms of energy, from oil and gas to renewables and nuclear energy. Having said that, we know that the world will still rely on oil and gas as the majority source of power for many decades to come. At Adnoc, we are on track to achieving our production capacity goals of four million barrels of oil per day by 2020 and five million by 2030. In parallel, by tapping into gas caps, undeveloped reservoirs and unconventional resources, we are unlocking vast reserves of natural gas," Dr Al Jaber stated.
With about $11 trillion of investment in oil and gas needed to keep up with current projected demand, Dr. Al Jaber highlighted that the UAE leadership has set ambitious targets to remain a reliable supplier to the world’s energy markets.
He added that in a world that needs more energy with fewer emissions, ADNOC will continue to prioritise responsible production as it expands its operations.
"We produce among the least carbon-intensive barrels in the world. We lead the industry with the lowest methane intensity, and we are investing in technology that captures significant amounts of carbon dioxide from industrial sources," said the minister.
"We launched the region’s first commercial-scale carbon capture utilisation and storage facility in 2016 and over the next decade, and we will expand this programme six times," Dr Al Jaber stated.
He concluded by stressing that meeting the world’s energy needs - responsibly and economically - will require a renewed spirit of partnership.
He noted that this includes partnerships with new sets of investors, who value long-term sustainable returns; partnerships between energy companies where best practices are shared, technology is leveraged, and capital efficiency is maximised; as well as partnerships between consuming and producing nations that recognise the shift in demand from West to East.
"Given our location, the UAE is perfectly positioned to cater for the new frontiers of market growth. We stand ready to forge strategic, value-add, commercial partnerships with governments, industry leaders, and innovators across the entire energy sector. By working together, we will stay ahead of demand, we will protect our environment, and there is no limit to the opportunities we can unlock," Dr. Al Jaber said.
Others taking part in the congress included Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry; Nasser bin Thani Al Hameli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, State Minister of Energy Affairs of Saudi Arabia; Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation; Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development of Morocco; Bento Alburquerque, Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil; Hala Zawati, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan; Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil of Bahrain; Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Egypt, among other leading government and business figures.-TradeArabia News Service
