GAS INDUSTRY TO TACKLE TOUGHEST GLOBAL ENERGY CHALLENGES
AT 26TH WORLD GAS CONFERENCE
Three weeks until the most important energy industry gathering this year
For official press release, please click here
Online delegate registration ends 29 May 2015 – register here: www.wgc2015.org
Paris, 13 May, 2015: The future of the global gas sector will be debated by some of the world’s most senior industry leaders, when the 26th World Gas Conference (WGCPARIS2015) gets underway in Paris in four weeks’ time.
Amid growing concerns about energy security and alternative sources of supply, consolidation of the energy market has moved up the political and media agenda. With 2015 proving to be a pivotal year for the gas industry, the World Gas Conference offers an ideally timed platform for the gas industry to tackle these problems head on.
Thousands of senior international gas industry executives from 600 global organisations have already registered and will gather in Paris from June 1st to 5th to participate in a topical programme addressing these and other pressing energy challenges. More than 70 sessions have been carefully crafted to stimulate industry thinking and debate. Topics such as the impact of falling oil prices and associated business coping strategies, technological innovations for cost reductions, and new markets for LNG supplies are high on the agenda as well as security of supply, prospects for LNG pipelines and the future of shale gas. For Europe in particular, delegates will be examining the challenges of divergent national climate policies, incoherent subsidy allocation and the long-term nature of major infrastructure investment.
In reaction to the need to discuss sudden changes in the global gas market such as the effects of changing oil prices, unclear energy policies and competition with coal, WGCPARIS2015 organisers have recently added another key programme session in a special event; ‘Energy Industry in turmoil’, a debate with renowned energy expert Dr Daniel Yergin, IHS and Marcel Kramer, Senior Counsel to the Management of OAO Gazprom Netherlands.
Similarly, in response to the clear link between the shared climate objectives of WGCPARIS2015 and the United Nations COP21 climate talks, the International Gas Union is pleased to announce a new session at its 26th World Gas Conference. Entitled ‘Natural Gas and COP21’, the session will be addressed by Laurent Fabius, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and leader of the crucial UNFCCC event in Paris this December.
As the debate about global post-2020 climate and energy targets grows ever more urgent and complex, the ability of nations to reach consensus on how those targets can be met will be under increased scrutiny. The world will be looking for signs of progress towards the technology and policy goals that will be key to balancing price volatility in wholesale markets while also honouring environmental commitments across both developed and emerging economies. Greater collaboration between government, industry, regulators and developers, will be essential to improving security of supply and enabling a stronger, more progressive transition to a low carbon economy.
International Gas Union President Jérôme Ferrier commented: “It is vital that we work together to address some of the major challenges facing the world amid an unprecedented period of change for our industry. Gas is the fuel of the future. It is the cleanest fossil fuel and offers clear advantages over other energy choices in a carbon constrained world.
“With such an array of distinguished speakers coming to Paris, there has never been a better opportunity to reinforce our industry’s role in the wider energy mix and work together towards a stable and fair marketplace.”
WGCPARIS2015 welcomes host speakers Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of Total SA, Gerard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of ENGIE, together with keynote speakers: Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatargas; John S. Watson, Chevron; Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil; Ben van Beurden, Shell; Bob Dudley BP; Jong-Ho Lee KOGAS; Peter Coleman, Woodside; Eldar Saetre, Statoil; Mike Hughes, Schneider Electric; Gertjan J. Lankhorst GasTerra; Yalan Li, Beijing Gas Group as well as Strategic Panel speakers Alexander Medvedev, Gazprom and Dato’ Yiaw Hin Wee, Petronas. These eminent speakers will be leading key sessions structured around the work of three task forces addressing human capital, gas advocacy and geopolitics.
Chairman of the WGCPARIS2015 National Organising Committee Daniel Paccoud said: “France is one of the energy world’s pre-eminent centres of excellence and a significant contributor to the development of the global gas industry. As such, we are proud to be playing host to this prestigious global event to showcase both the global gas value chain and, more specifically, the expertise that France has supplied to these efforts.
“Paris will offer delegates an exceptional opportunity to hear from more than 500 speakers while experiencing the culture of this extraordinary city as the ideal backdrop to proceedings.”
With a comprehensive 45,000 m2 exhibition space, the 26th World Gas Conference will showcase exhibitors and sponsors from across the industry, bringing together cutting-edge technological and commercial advances, a dedicated pavilion on Natural Gas for Transportation, and live product demonstrations and launches.
To explore the in-depth daily programme and secure your place in Paris, please visit www.wgc2015.org
Online delegate registration ends 29 May 2015 – register here: www.wgc2015.org
Media Enquiries:
World Gas Conference 2015
@WGCParis2015
International
Jamie Robertson
Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1444
Email: Jamie.Robertson@fticonsulting.com
Caroline Cutler
Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1424
Email: Caroline.Cutler@fticonsulting.com