Romania at the 23rd World Petroleum Congress
The 23rd World Petroleum Congress, having as topic ‘Innovative Energy Solutions’, was held again during December 5-9, 2021, in Houston, TX for the first time after 1987. Bringing together over 5,000 participants from over 70 countries, the Congress served as catalyst for crucial conversations shaping the future of energy with the participation of key global leaders.
In a challenging global energy context, the 23rd World Petroleum Congress provides participants with a platform for open dialogue that builds bridges between consumers and producers, between governments and industry, leaders, and society, as well as developments and solutions for the production and sustainable use of the world’s energy resources.
Industry leaders – Amin H. Nasser, President & CEO, Saudi Aramco, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General, OPEC, Darren Woods, President & CEO, ExxonMobil Corporation, Mike Wirth, President & CEO, Chevron, provides insights into key topics that impact the energy industry, i.e., the role of oil and gas in the energy market, energy transition, partnership collaboration and many others.
Within the International Exhibition organized on the occasion of the World Petroleum Congress, over 75 companies were present, as well as dedicated stands, such as ‘Innovation Zone’ presented by ConocoPhillips, ‘The Young Professionals’ presented by HESS, ‘Global Sustainability’ presented by BCG and ‘Purposeful Journey’, which inspired energy change.
Energy security and sustainable solutions, the key to reaching the climate and energy targets
The Romanian delegation was led by George-Sergiu Niculescu, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy, and included over 20 representatives of the Ministry of Energy (ME), Conpet, Transgaz, Oil Terminal, GeoEcoMar, UBB, WPC RNC, RO FDD and other institutions.
In its speeches at the Ministerial Round Table, included in the Congress schedule, Secretary of State George-Sergiu Niculescu highlighted: “An efficient and fair transition can only be reached by capitalizing on the energy potential of each state and, in particular, its energy particularities, and the success of energy transition cannot be based on a unilateral approach to renewable energy.”
Therefore, natural gas and nuclear energy should be a complementary element to renewable resources, providing support and flexibility in supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Ensuring a stable security of supply at affordable prices for consumers is of crucial importance. The medium and long-term European and global energy strategy must recognize the position of hydrocarbons as a backbone, while investing in renewable energy.
Investments in green technologies, energy security and sustainable solutions, as well as the allocation of adequate funding, will be the key to reaching the climate and energy targets and for implementing a new economic growth model, with low carbon emissions.
Within the International Exhibition, Romania participated with a stand organized by ME – the WPC Romanian National Committee, together with Conpet, where several energy, oil & gas and scientific projects were promoted, carried out by CNR, Conpet, NAMR (National Agency for Mineral Resources), IGR (Geological Institute of Romania), Transgaz, Oil Terminal, Romanian Academy – Sabba S. Stefanescu Institute of Geodynamics, ASTR (Romanian Academy of Technical Sciences), AGIR (General Association of Romanian Engineers), UBB Cluj (Faculty of Biology and Geology), GeoEcoMar (National Institute of Marine Geology and Geoecology), INCDFP (National Research and Development Institute for Earth Physics), I. Basgan Foundation, Campina Municipality, InnovX, Romanian-American University and others.
Within the event, F19 Forum (Risk Management, Technical Presentations, Posters and EW3 Moderation – ‘Expert Workshop HC Increasing Recovery Efficiency in Mature Fields. Methods & Technology for Cooperation’) was initiated by OMV Petrom and ensured by the representative of RNC-WPC, Eng. Pandele Neculae, PhD.
EW3 Conclusions
- The application of advanced technologies in the field of increasing the efficiency of recovery in mature areas has a huge potential for global growth in oil and gas production by 2050, thus ensuring a doubling of recoveries.
- Increasing support is needed for young professionals to deepen their knowledge and practice so that they can successfully overcome the current and future challenges of the oil business.
- The price perspective in the oil and gas field is generated by the domestic production price in correlation with the regional price and in balance with the price of other energies. This mechanism thus requires support from Governments and companies during the energy transition period to achieve the NET to ZERO perspective in particular.
Free courses for students and young specialists
The program of activities ‘WPC Young Professional’ discussed the organization of free online courses for students and young specialists supported by WPC lecturers and universities:
- Free launch of AGIR, ASTR and UBB online courses within the WPC YP program starting with 2022 ‘Upstream Strategy and Risk Approach’ lecturer Eng. Pandele Neculae, PhD, Oil & Gas Senior Expert Consultant, WPC CPC RO/UNECE Representative
- The Geological Institute of Romania and the University of Bucharest have established in the 2022 Open Learning program within WPC YP ‘Magnetic Insights from Ground to Space’, lecturer Anca ISAC, PhD, which will give learners the opportunity to acquire new skills, updated knowledge and a participation certificate.
- RO FDD and the Romanian-American University of Bucharest – online course within the WPC YP ‘Artificial Intelligence’, lecturer Prof. Maria Moise, PhD.
The meetings with Houston mayor and Calgary mayor have opened up the prospect of collaborations in the fields of energy, science and ‘smart city’, in connection with the next congress, the 24th WPC having as topic ‘Energy Transition: The Path to Net-Zero’, to be held in Calgary, Canada, in September 2023.
