THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABILITY IS THE CORE OF THE 19TH WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS

March 18th 2008

How to respond to the demand of oil products less aggressive with the environment.
Satisfy today’s energy needs without compromising the resources of future generations.

Sustainable growth will be the focal point of the 19th World Petroleum Congress. The industry has made an effort to work on the challenge of sustainability and, although this subject has been dealt with in previous editions, it is the first time that it becomes the main theme of the Congress. The sector as a whole has been focussing its attention on this subject, motivated by three topics: respond to growing demand, seek and maximise new resources and, in third place, work on its inevitable commitment towards the environment.

During the four days in which this mayor international event takes place, experts from all over the world will analyse the measures necessary to respond to the demand of cleaner products as well as ways of working to ensure a responsible supply following industry practices that are transparent, viable and respectful towards the environment. All this is reflected in the slogan of the Congress: ‘A World in Transition: Delivering Energy for Sustainable Growth.’

Social responsibility and sustainability are both constant references in all the activities that are taking place during the Congress. Proof of this is that they are dealt with throughout the various sessions which structure the event, made up of seven plenary sessions, twelve ministerial, seven special sessions and four luncheons.

The commitment of the industry towards social responsibility (SR) is clear in this 19th edition, as the theme has significant presence in three different areas during the Congress. Firstly in a Special Session, of particular interest as it brings together experts to debate, amongst other things, issues dealing with climate change, human rights, social expectations and working conditions.

SR will also be part of the exhibition Social Responsibility Global Village which will showcase, in an interactive way, the industry’s commitment to social, community and environmental initiatives worldwide. It will also highlight projects developed jointly with NGOs.

Thirdly a SR Luncheon will take place, which counts with the participation of the Executive Head of UN Global Compact, Mr. Georg Kell.

Without doubt, the challenge that the industry deals with is to satisfy the energy needs of today’s society, without compromising the resources of future generations. Therefore, permanent efforts are being carried out in investigation and development of new technologies. These new techniques will help widen the ability to extract products in two ways: the search for resources in places which were not previously accessible and to maximise mature oilfields.

Finally, the 19th World Petroleum Congress will also include other priorities that are shared with the industry as a whole: to affect the environment in the least aggressive way possible and to care for the local communities in which the oil and gas sector works in.