THE OIL INDUSTRY WILL DEBATE IN MADRID NEW FORMS OF ENERGY

Madrid, April 9, 2008

The 19th World Petroleum Congress Technical Program has a specific section dedicated to natural gas and renewable energy sources.
6 Forums, 3 Roundtables and 3 Magisterial Conferences are included in this thematic block, involving up to 94 speakers

The geographic change in the demand for oil and its increase, the objective of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases - coupled with increased government demands in this sense-and the need to find new sources of energy to replace fossil fuels in the future make of the oil and gas industry "A world in transition." And this is one of the major issues that the 19th World Petroleum Congress will dedicate in Madrid.

The world is moving towards a change of energy model. Oil is a finite, and the industry is aware that it must move towards a more sustainable and less polluting model, abounding in diverse energy sources.

Some analysts estimate that the growth of "clean" energy is between 20 and 30% annually, a trend that will continue over the next ten years, although its contribution will be insufficient to replace oil. "Natural Gas and Renewable Energy", the title of one of the blocks of the Technical Program of the Congress, gain here, therefore, a decisive role.

The discussion will focus on key issues relating to both the natural gas as unconventional sources (coal bed methane, gas hydrates or gasification of coal and heavy oil) and the regional balance between supply and demand. In addition, the conversion technologies of gas into liquids and the great challenges of transporting gas will be addressed.

Renewable: wind, solar energy, and hydrogen?

Renewable energy, primarily wind and solar, will also have a special protagonism in this block. The latest technologies are helping to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the process of collection, storage and transport of this type of energy which, in certain regions of the world, occupy an important position in the energy core and have good prospects to tackle a massive and constant use in the future.

The 19 th World Petroleum Congress dedicated to "Natural Gas & Renewable" will gather up to 94 speakers and will include 6 Forums, 3 Roundtable and 3 Magisterial Conferences where gas industry and use of renewable energy sources key points will be addressed. The panel discussion of Mr. Knut Harg, former Director of Hydrogen StatoilHydro, will have a special interest whose approach will focus on hydrogen as a potential energy of the future.