- International Energy Forum
- Global Energy Security Through Dialogue
- Knowledge Generation Through Dialogue
Paris, France
IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng participated in the International Energy Agency’s 2nd Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Paris on 29 June 2017. This high-level event brought together top-level government officials and energy-industry executives at a forum for global engagement and exchange on energy efficiency.
The conference was opened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly, HE Peter Thomson. HE Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development (Morocco), HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, (UAE) HE Juan Jose Aranguren, Minister of Energy and Mines (Argentina), and HE Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Ireland), also participated in this well attended event where participants from around the world gathered to discuss practical policy and programme implementation measures.
Dr Sun's presentation entitled "Global perspectives on energy efficiency" is available for download below.
Washington DC, USA
Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), delivered a presentation to an audience gathered by the CSIS Energy & National Security Program at their headquarters in Washington DC. Dr Sun’s presentation "Energy Security, Transition and Dialogue" and the subsequent roundtable discussion focused on the forces impacting the security of global oil and gas supplies, and the challenges posed by the volatile nature of energy markets, and the policy implications of tightening greenhouse gas emission thresholds around the world.
The session was moderated by Adam Sieminksi, former EIA Administrator and current holder of the James R Schlesinger Chair for Energy and Geopolitics.
Washington DC, USA
IEF Secretary General Dr Sun Xiansheng delivered a keynote speech on 27 June 2017 to an audience of more than 900 leaders from industry, government, and academia participating in the US EIA's 2017 Energy Conference in Washington DC. Participants also heard from US Secretary of Energy, Mr Rick Perry, and Ms Colette Honorable, Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission among other distinguished speakers.
Dr Sun’s keynote on Energy Data Transparency underlined the importance placed by IEF Ministers on the need for improved data transparency. Dr Sun also noted the unique cooperative nature of the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) co-ordinated by the IEF, which involves a partnership among eight International Organisations (APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, IEF, OLADE, OPEC and UNSD), and cited the EIA as a model for other energy statistics agencies to aspire to.
Dr Sun also participated in a Q&A session led by Howard Gruenspecht, Acting Administrator and Deputy Administrator, US Energy Information Administration.
Dr Sun’s speaking notes are available for download below.
You may also download presentations delivered during the Energy Data Transparency session referenced in Dr Sun’s remarks at the EIA website links below:
Energy data transparency
London, UK
IEF SG Dr Sun Xiansheng delivered the opening keynote address "Global Energy Transition: Risks and Opportunities" when he participated in the 4th Russian Energy Forum in London on Thursday 22 June 2017. The Forum was held under the umbrella theme "Russia on the Global Energy Map: Emerging Partnerships, Risks & Opportunities."
Following his keynote presentation the IEF Secretary General joined Dr Boris Abramov, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the UK, Jiro Kida, Special Advisor, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and Dr Hyo-Sun Kim, Head of the Department of Polar Policy, Korea Polar Research for a panel discussion moderated by Trevor Barton, Executive Director, Russo-British Chamber of Commerce. The subjects covered by the panel included Russia’s role as a major partner in the global energy dialogue, Russia-UK trade and energy relations, Russia’s place in East Asian oil and gas markets, and policies and prospects with focus on the Arctic.
The Rt Hon the Lord Barker of Battle, former Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change (2010-2014) also delivered a keynote address later the same day.
Dr Sun’s presentation is available for download below. Further detail on the Russian Energy Forum can be found at the event website.
Manama, Bahrain
Under the Patronage of the Minister of Oil of the State of Bahrain HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the International Energy Forum convened the 2nd Symposium on Human Resource Management in the Energy Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, and the National Oil and Gas Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the support of the Institute for Energy and Finance, Tamkeen, and the Boston Consulting Group as IEF Knowledge Partner, in Manama, The Kingdom of Bahrain on 17-18 May 2017.
The Minister of Oil of the State of Bahrain HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum HE Dr Sun Xiansheng and the Special Representative of the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation HE Alexander Novak, the Director of the Department of Public Service Management (HR) and mobilization preparation of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Smirnov, presided over the Symposium proceedings.
Mindful of the many changes that have taken place since the State of Qatar hosted the 1st IEF Symposium on Human Resource Management in Doha on the implications of the petroleum crunch of 2009, the cyclical nature of the energy industry, and the long-term transformations taking place in respect of energy transition, digitisation and labour market dynamics, participants discussed the implications of a new market environment and energy transition for human resource management in the energy industry.
Delegates acknowledged that global energy security and industry performance will continue to depend on how human resource management navigates both cyclical and irreversible transformational trends occurring in the energy industry and wider global economic system. Sessions focused on:
What has changed since the IEF Symposium in Doha discussed tackling the human resources crunch in the petroleum sector in 2009?
Session moderator: Mr Ivan Marten, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group
Speakers
In response to a lower price environment, challenges from new entrants, and greater consensus on the need for an energy transition, the industry has been forced to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and explore new business models. Uncertainties in this new environment go beyond the traditional boom-bust cycle creating new challenges and opportunities in human resource management. As the industry adjusts to this new reality, how does human resource management contribute to shaping our energy future?
Keynote Speech: Mr Simon Ashley, VP HR IST, BP Oil International Limited
Session moderator: Mr Jassim Isa Al Shirawi, General Manager, Oil and Gas Affairs, National Oil and Gas Authority, Bahrain
Speakers
The world’s leaders have determined the need to transition towards a lower carbon future. This transition impacts the regulatory environment, industry image and public perceptions. How can the industry attract, retain and nurture talent in highly competitive markets faced with increasingly complex and fluid policy environments and manage the risk and opportunities of new technologies to its advantage?
Keynote Speech: Mr Ren Yicun, Deputy Director General Human Resources, CNPC
Session moderator: Ms Svetlana Epikhina, Member of the Council for Professional Qualifications in the field of personnel management, Russia
Speakers
Considering the challenges and opportunities discussed in foregoing sessions, what options can be pursued to attract and retain the needed human resources skills in view of the cyclic industry developments addressed in Session 2, and energy in transition policies addressed in Session 3.
Session moderator: Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum
Speakers
Abu Dhabi, UAE
IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng was invited to deliver a keynote speech and to participate in specialist sessions at the 3rd GCC Petroleum Media Forum, held on 19-20 April 2017 in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy (UAE) hosted the meeting in which HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State UAE & CEO, ADNOC Group (UAE), HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Oil (Bahrain), HE Essam Abdul Mohsen Al-Marzouq, Minister of Oil (Kuwait), HE Dr Mohammed Al Rumhi, Minister of Oil & Gas (Oman), HE Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy & Industry (Qatar), HE Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry & Mineral Resources (Saudi Arabia), and HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, OPEC Secretary General also took part along with a number of global media personalities, who gave their views on the relationship between the media and the energy industry at large.
The UAE announced that the 3rd Gulf Cooperation Council Petroleum Media Forum was convened with the intent to accelerate the GCC petroleum media strategy and elevate the perception of the oil industry as well as to highlight the major contribution of the GCC countries in the global economy. The forum also aimed to enhance the capacity of the local media and build a roadmap to develop specialised petroleum media capabilities in the region.
Dr Sun’s keynote speech entitled “The Role of Data in Accurate Energy News” is available for download below.
Tunis, Tunisia
To advance the dialogue on the eradication of energy poverty in Africa, the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) convened the 3rd IEF - OFID Symposium on Energy Poverty with the support of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies of Tunisia on 11-12 April 2017 in Tunis.
The Symposium was opened by HE Hela Cheikhrouhou, Minister of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies of Tunisia represented by Mr Hamdi Harrouch, Director General of the National Energy Conservation Agency on behalf of the host country, Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General IEF, and Mr Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, Director General and the Chief Executive Officer, represented by Dr Fuad Siala, Senior Advisor of OFID.
The Symposium participants comprised a wide range of representatives from African countries, the African Energy Commission (AFREC), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and representatives of the partner organisations of the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI), including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the United Nations Statistics Division, the Gas Exporting Country Form (GECF), as well as international energy sector practitioners from the private sector and the International Gas Union (IGU).
Participants focused on accelerating collective efforts to provide access to modern energy services in African nations by 2030 in accordance with globally agreed goals. The symposium addressed the extent and the consequences of energy poverty, the roles that various energy sources and technology play, and the policy and regulatory options available to African countries to accelerate investment in alleviating energy poverty.
The Symposium noted that efforts to eradicate energy poverty must be technology neutral. Renewable energy technologies offer new opportunities to overcome energy poverty and achieve a secure and sustainable provision of modern energy services in Africa where economics permit. Fossil fuels and related technologies aimed at reducing emissions and air pollution in major cities continue to be important to meet growing energy demand and ensure equitable development on the African continent. Poor countries cannot be deprived of energy to grow their economies and keep up with demographic trends during the transition to a more diversified and sustainable energy mix.
Symposium participants exchanged views on enhancing international cooperation and applauded the progress made by African countries in this regard in collaboration with international organisations. Delegates noted that the challenge to eradicate energy poverty in Africa is much bigger than any stakeholder can overcome individually. There is a clear need to broaden partnership and strengthen international cooperation for efforts to be well targeted and successful. IEF and OFID propose to continue their collaboration on the eradication of energy poverty and step up their efforts to build capacity on related energy data collection together with JODI Partners and other relevant international organisations.
Presentations, speeches and the concluding statement will be available to download below as they become available.
Tunis, Tunisia
The 15th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Africa and MENA countries was held in Tunis from 11-13 April 2017. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energy of Tunisia, was organised by the IEF in collaboration with the African Energy Commission (AFREC), and the support of other JODI Partners (GECF, IEA, OPEC, and UNSD).
More than sixty statistical officers in charge of hydrocarbon data collection at national administrations of African and MENA countries took part in the workshop which was designed to raise awareness and build better understanding of the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) and improved data submissions from this key region. Tunisian participants from the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energy, the National Institute of Statistics ETAP, and other government agencies, were also joined by a delegation from the United Arab Emirates.
Hands-on training sessions were a key feature of the workshop, and participants took full advantage of the opportunity of the interactive nature of the programme to exchange views on their experience in dealing with energy statistics in general and JODI in particular.
Participants in the JODI workshop also attended the opening session of the 3rd IEF-OFID Symposium on Energy Poverty that was held in parallel with the JODI event. Discussions in the joint session touched upon the value of accurate statistical data to the alleviation of energy poverty, by facilitating improved decision-making, and removing some of the elements of uncertainty that may be hampering investment.
JODI Partners agreed that they would follow-up on action items and commitments made by countries participating in the workshop to underpin the excellent progress already made, and to ensure that data transparency in this key region continues to improve.
For more information about this and other Joint Organisations Data Initiative events please visit the JODI website.
Doha, Qatar
IEF Secretary General Dr Sun Xiansheng was honoured to be invited to deliver the 22nd GECF Monthly Gas Lecture at the headquarters of the GECF in Doha, Qatar on 5 April, 2017.
Dr Sun delivered a presentation on "Perspectives on Gas Market Developments for Sustainable Growth and Energy Transitions" to the gathered audience of Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, academic, international oil and gas companies’ executives, businesses as well as senior experts and analysts from the gas sector.
Dr Sun shared IEF perspectives on gas market developments for sustainable growth and energy transitions. Recognising the scope for gas to contribute to growth and transition, the IEF Secretary General also looked forward to further exploring the potential for the IEF and GECF to work together to help overcome gas market challenges, secure an orderly energy transition, and a sustainable, healthy and affordable energy future for all.
Berlin, Germany
At the 2nd G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group meeting in Berlin the IEF updated delegates on the 1st IEF-EU Energy Day (Riyadh, 14 February) which provided a platform focused on cooperation with the EU on energy efficiency and renewable energies in the context of the G20 IEF Knowledge Sharing Framework on Energy Efficiency as agreed under the G20 Presidency of China in 2016.
The IEF also referred to the upcoming Asian Energy Efficiency Conference and Exhibition as the next major event under this work stream, and notified ESWG Delegates that all G20 Ministers would be invited to strengthen international cooperation on energy efficiency and new technologies in the framework of the producer-consumer dialogue in accordance with the outcomes of the IEF15 International Ministerial Energy Forum hosted by Algiers in 2016.
The IEF Energy Efficiency Knowledge Sharing Framework update was delivered by Senior Energy Analyst Christof van Agt, and is available to download below.
Vienna, Austria
The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) met at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, to participate in the 2nd Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Technical Meeting on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets on 16 March 2017. The Joint Meeting was the 7th event in this ongoing dialogue.
The high-level meeting, which gathered government officials, regulatory bodies, market analysts and other experts was chaired by OPEC Secretary General, HE Mr Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, together with HE Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General of the IEF, and Mr Neil Atkinson, Head of the Oil Industry and Markets Division at the IEA.
Addressing participants, HE Mr Barkindo noted that "each brings a different perspective of the market - from the financial side, the physical side, governments, regulatory bodies, market analysts and experts. This is a testament to the strengths of this dialogue as it allows us to exchange views and collectively present a more complete and rounded picture of the market."
IEF Secretary General, HE Dr Sun underscored the strong relationship between the IEF and oil producers and consumers like OPEC and IEA, noting that "the relevance of inclusive dialogue cannot be overstated considering the more fluid dynamics the physical and financial energy markets are exposed to." He further noted that "the IEF remains committed to enhancing energy market transparency through dialogue with physical and financial energy market participants from consumer and producer countries, and the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI)."
Representing the IEA, Mr Atkinson noted that "the interaction amongst players in the oil market remains a major priority if we are to better understand each other’s interests and how common ground can be found. The IEA strongly supports the work of this meeting and looks forward to future engagement with our colleagues from OPEC and the IEF."
Discussions during the one-day event were structured into four sessions, focused on the following key topics:
The Joint Technical Meeting is one part of the trilateral work programme established by the three organisations and endorsed by energy ministers at the 12th International Energy Forum in Cancún, Mexico, in March 2010. Since then, the joint IEA-IEF-OPEC meetings covering the evolving inter-linkages between physical and financial energy markets have developed into a unique, high-level technical event and bring together a diverse range of market participants to discuss issues that are not addressed in other high-level fora.
The trilateral cooperation between the three organisations was recently commended by the G20 Energy Ministers in their Beijing Communique in June 2016, which requested the organisations to continue their fruitful collaboration to further enhance understanding of the interaction between physical and financial markets. The Energy Ministers at the 15th International Energy Forum in Algeria in September 2016 further endorsed the value of this important consumer-producer dialogue.
Session Moderator: David Ernsberger, Platts
Session Moderator: John Kemp, Reuters
Session Moderator: Eric Salomons, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Session Moderator: Kurt Chapman, Mercuria
Vienna, Austria
The IEF chaired an Inter Secretariat Meeting of JODI partner organisations including APEC, GECF, IEA, IEF, OLADE, OPEC, & UNSD in Vienna on 13-14 March 2017.
The meeting, hosted by OPEC at their Headquarters in Vienna focused on reviewing progress and action plans in regard to the following:
Partners voiced support for the plan to hold the next JODI Workshop for Africa region in Tunisia on 11-13 April 2017 back-to-back with the 3rd IEF-OFID Symposium on Energy Poverty, thus demonstrating the link between energy data transparency and efforts to alleviate energy poverty in Africa.
Moreover, Partners agreed on the importance of maintaining an ongoing programme of JODI data-user seminars, and to further reinforce links with the JODI data-user community by holding the 13th JODI international conference in 2017 so as to deepen stakeholder engagement (users / analysts / providers of data / industry) in support of the ongoing development of the initiative.
Partners also agreed on a set of actions to improve coal data transparency, including through harmonisation and dissemination of coal data already routinely collected by some of the JODI partner organisations.
An agreement in principle was also reached to facilitate the dissemination of JODI data on the electronic platforms of data re-distribution agencies later in 2017, assuming that agreed pre-conditions are met.
Boston, USA
As the largest student-led energy conference in the US, the MIT Energy Conference has become a premier event to connect professionals, policymakers, academics, and students in the energy industry.
More changes have occurred in the global energy sector in the past decade than in the 100 years prior. In its 12th edition, the MIT Energy Conference explored changes in production and conversion, transmission and storage, and consumption with a focus on enabling the next energy paradigm.
The conference, which was opened by HE Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas (India) gathered an impressive array of leaders and visionaries from industry, government, the scientific community, and the private sector that are looking at the whole value chain in a holistic way, to speak about and debate the development of these complex changes, which are redefining the future of energy worldwide.
IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng delivered a keynote presentation: “Opportunity. Uncertainty. Risk” which is available for download below.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Secretary General of the International Energy Forum and the President of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center welcomed participants in the Third IEF-KAPSARC Thought-Leaders’ Roundtable discussion on oil markets at IEF headquarters in Riyadh on 16 February.
Discussions focused on the theme: "Post-Paris Agreement: A World of Peak Oil Demand?"
Many of the parties to the ‘Paris Agreement’, that entered force on 4 November 2016, anticipated that its subsequent implementation would lead to a world of peak oil demand. However, the transition through a demand peak, should investors expect it to arrive within the time horizons of their medium-term oilfield developments, might increase price volatility. Paradoxically, a reduced reliance on fossil fuels among consumer nations might lead to periods of supply shortage while at other points of an accentuated cycle, exporters may compete for market share after giving up hope of a rebound in prices.
Energy Ministers gathered at the 15th International Energy Forum on 26-28 September 2016 called for an enhanced role of the producer-consumer dialogue and greater market transparency. An inclusive and energy-technology neutral dialogue among producing and consuming countries will offer more clarity to investors and market participants, and so may contribute to a more orderly and cost efficient transformation of energy markets. On one hand, this will facilitate more orderly transitions between investment cycles in the interest of overall energy market security. On the other hand, accelerated deployment of energy efficiency and new energy technologies in oil producing and consuming growth markets will foster energy productivity gains across regions and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions more swiftly, placing global economic growth on more advanced and healthier footings.
The 3rd IEF-KAPSARC Thought Leaders’ Roundtable invited thought leaders and government and industry representatives to collectively look beyond the corners of these policy turns and physical market developments to assess what their likely impact is on the dynamics of global oil supply and demand in the medium and long term.
This roundtable launched a year-long engagement to explore scenarios for producers and consumers navigating the transition to a lower carbon energy future. During the year, participants will be invited to contribute intellectually to the development of modelling infrastructure to describe the transition and its impacts on the global economy - particularly the risks of increased volatility in the oil market and the potential impacts on international energy relations. Workshops in The Netherlands, Dubai, UK and Saudi Arabia with a joint study report to be issued late in 2017.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Seventh IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks took place on 15 February 2017 at the IEF Headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dr Sun Xiansheng, the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum opened the Symposium together with the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, HE Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and the Director, Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks of the International Energy Agency, Dr Kamel Ben Naceur.
HE Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources (Saudi Arabia), delivered a keynote speech, and participants also received a special address delivered on behalf of HE Shamshad Akhtar, Under Secretary General of the United Nations & Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
HE Khalid Al Falih - Interview
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa - Interview
HE Mohamed Zayed Awad - Interview
Mohammed Barkindo - Interview
Dr Sun Xiansheng - Interview
Kamel Ben Naceur - Interview
Mohamed Hamel - Interview
Oswaldo Tapia - Interview
Greg Priddy - Interview
Mark Finley - Interview
Eric Aboussouan - Interview
Dr Abhishek Deshpande - Interview
Christof Rühl - Interview
Dr Iván Martén - Interview
Dr Tatiana Mitrova - Interview
Bob McNally - Interview
Ibrahim Al Muhanna - Interview
Pedro Antonio Merino Garcia - Interview
Jamie Webster - Interview
Trisha Curtis - Interview
Dr Talaat Al-Dafer - Interview
David Fyfe - Interview
Alan Gelder - Interview
Ann-Louise Hittle - Interview
Richard Newell - Interview
Dr Sun Xiansheng, IEF Secretary General, moderated discussions of the first session with a focus on the latest OPEC and IEA energy outlooks and a comparative analysis of short-, medium-, and long-term energy outlooks released by the IEA and OPEC in 2016 provided by the IEF-RFF Introductory Background Paper. HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Bahrain chaired Session II on Industry views on short-, medium-, and long-term energy outlooks, and HE Mohamed Zayed Awad Mousa, Minister of Petroleum, Sudan chaired the final session on the subject of Transportation.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) each year publish energy market outlooks based on the rigorous analysis of available statistical data, market fundamentals, macroeconomic developments, policy trends and assumptions. In addition, on the occasion of the biennial International Energy Forum Ministerial meetings, both organisations present focused findings that they derive from their analysis and outlooks. The Seventh Symposium is part of a wider trilateral work programme undertaken by the IEA, IEF and OPEC in recognition of mandates from the Energy Ministers of the IEF and G20 countries. The underlying principle of the Symposium is to improve transparency, and facilitate comparability among the various outlook scenarios, and help advance a data-driven and well informed producer-consumer dialogue.
In addition to the Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposia on Energy Outlooks, the joint collaboration involves High-Level Workshops on Physical and Financial Energy Market Interactions and Gas and Coal Market Outlooks.
Additional detail about the Seventh Joint Symposium will be forthcoming shortly.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The IEF was pleased to host the 1st IEF-EU Energy Day at its headquarters on 14 February 2017. IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng opened the event alongside EU Ambassador HE Michele Cervone d’Urso and noted the importance of this inaugural IEF-EU Energy Day as a first step to strengthened IEF-EU relations, and to better inform and further enrich the producer-consumer dialogue.
Mr Hans Steen, Head of International Relations at the European Commission Directorate for Energy delivered a key note speech: “EU energy policies - the international perspective” during the opening session. Mr Steen was joined by guest speakers from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Region and Europe. The IEF Secretary General noted that the sharing of insights in energy policy and market developments among government and industry officials from IEF and EU member countries strengthens cooperation on energy security, healthy energy market development and orderly transitions to achieve global goals. He further noted that content and feedback from the meeting would help inform the 1st IEF Energy Efficiency and New Technologies Ministerial that Saudi Arabia will host jointly with Japan on 30 October 2017, and the 7th Asian Energy Ministerial hosted by Thailand on the IEF platform in Bangkok on 1-3 November shortly thereafter, as well as many other forthcoming IEF dialogue events including with the EU.
Photo: From left to right: Hans van Steen, Sun Xiansheng, Lucie Berger, Faisal S. Alfadl, Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, Talaat Dafer Al Kahtani
Photo: Left to right: Naif Alragass, Hans van Steen, Sun Xiansheng
Other EU and GCC company and government representatives invited
Muscat, Oman
The 4th Argus Middle East Crude Conference hosted the Secretary General of the IEF, Dr Sun Xiansheng alongside the Under Secretary of Oil and Gas of Oman, HE Salim Al-Aufi as key note speakers among other senior industry and government representatives at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, Oman on 23-24 January 2017.
The IEF Secretary General discussed the new features of the global oil market, proposing to strengthen the Joint Organisation's Transparency Initiative (JODI), make full use of the platform for dialogue and cooperation that the IEF uniquely provides to accommodate new trends in green, low carbon, and efficiency, strengthening, secure, and sustainable energy market functioning for all.
The Under Secretary of Oil and Gas of Oman highlighted the strategic position and longstanding tradition of Oman in expediting trade and investment flows between the Middle East and Africa with growth markets in Asia and beyond. He also noted that Government and industry cooperation has enabled Oman to reduce upstream unit operating costs, and remove downstream fossil fuel subsidies achieving greater energy productivity in general. Under Secretary Al-Aufi further noted that Oman has successfully attracted substantial new investments in the petrochemical and storage sector in addition to its engagement in the upstream sector that will maintain production at around 1 mb/d.
Challenges in the oil and gas sector also relate to manpower. Oman is extending training opportunities to ensure that employment for Omani talent exists across sectors. The IEF is now working with the Russian Federation on organising the 2nd IEF Conference on Human Resources. The conference will be hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, in Manama on 17-18 May 2017.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
On Thursday 19 January 2017 Professor Masakasu Toyoda, CEO and Chairman of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) visited IEF Headquarters in Riyadh for a bilateral meeting with IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng. Professor Toyoda also delivered an IEF Lecture entitled: "IEEJ Energy Outlook 2016 for Asia/World" to a distinguished gathering of the diplomatic corps and business community of Riyadh.
The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) was established in June 1966 and certified as an incorporated foundation by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in September that year. The IEEJ has been conducting specialised research activities in the areas of environment and energy economics for 50 years. According to the 2015 Go To Think Tank Index from the University of Pennsylvania, the Institute progressively gained recognition and now ranks Best Energy and Resource Think Tank in the World.
Professor Toyoda has been an active participant in the global energy dialogue for many years, having previously held senior positions at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of Japan, which was renamed in 2001 as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). He is a Board Member of KAPSARC, Accenture Global Energy, and Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Professor Toyoda is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Center for High Technology and a member of the International Advisory Board of Brunei National Energy Research Institute. The Professor holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Tokyo and a master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton University.
Professor Toyoda’s presentation is available for download below.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The IEF was delighted to welcome Dr Urban Rusnák the Secretary General of the International Energy Charter to deliver a lecture at the IEF headquarters today. Ambassador Rusnák’s presentation "The International Energy Charter & International Energy Forum: Existing Complementarities and Possible Synergies" is available for download below.
The fundamental aim of the Energy Charter Treaty is to strengthen the rule of law on energy issues, by creating a level playing field of rules to be observed by all participating governments, thereby mitigating risks associated with energy-related investment and trade.
Further details of the work of the International Energy Charter can be found at their website, and through the key topics discussed during the 27th Energy Charter Conference that was held in Tokyo, Japan on 25-26 November 2016.
Paris, France
The IEF chaired an Inter-Secretariat Meeting of its JODI partner organisations (APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, OLADE, OPEC, & UNSD) in Paris on 15-16 December 2016. The US EIA also participated in the meeting via teleconference to discuss plans for the upcoming JODI Conference in Washington DC.
The meeting, hosted by the IEA at their Headquarters in Paris, focused on reviewing progress and action plans in regard to the following:
In addition to confirming the organisation of the Washington conference, partners discussed on-going cooperation with AFREC and the organisation of a JODI Workshop for the African region in Tunisia in April 2017. The workshop will build on the findings from the JODI Workshop held in Moscow in November 2016 with the participation of more than 40 delegates from the CIS & MENA regions.
Partners also agreed on a set of actions to improve coal data transparency, and efforts to improve synergies among the partners who are already collecting coal data.
Partners also agreed on an action plan to allow JODI data to appear on data re-distributor agencies platforms during 2017.
The meeting concluded with partners agreeing to hold one or two JODI User Seminars during 2017 to continue engagement with JODI users, analysts, and providers of data/industry.
Paris, France
The 3rd IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks was held at IEA Headquarters in Paris on 14 December 2016 at a time when supply abundance sets the tone in medium term gas and coal market projections, and the rapid entry in force of the UN Paris Agreement points at a new global consensus on emission reductions. Senior experts from government and industry discussed energy market fundamentals, as well as the role of regulation and technology to assess the implications of these developments for the share of gas and coal in the evolution towards healthier energy markets in both producing and consuming countries.
The Symposium is part of the IEA-IEF-OPEC trilateral work programme that aims to improve transparency in the interest of energy security among producing and consuming countries in response to the G20 Cannes Summit Leaders’ Declaration (November 2011) call for "continued dialogue annually between producers and consumers on short medium and long-term outlook and forecasts for oil, gas and coal." G20 and IEF Energy Ministers encouraged the IEA, the IEF and OPEC "to continue their fruitful collaboration", and affirmed their commitment to "strengthen global energy security and facilitate an orderly energy transition" at their recent ministerial meetings held in June and September 2016.
The Symposium considered the dialogue outcomes of the 5th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum hosted on 6 December 2016 in New Delhi by the government of India, and built on the findings of the earlier held IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposiums on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks referenced below.
The IEF highlights 10 Key IEF Dialogue Insights derived from Symposium discussions. These insights and the Agenda are available for download below:
Session Moderator: Fuad Al Zayer, Co-ordinator Energy Data Transparency (JODI), IEF
Session Moderator: Erfan Vafaie Fard, Analyst - Alternative Sources of Energy, OPEC
Session Moderator: Keisuke Sadamori, Director, Energy Markets and Security, IEA
The 4th Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks will take place in 2018.
Munich, Germany
The International Energy Forum (IEF) participated in the 1st Group of 20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group (G20 ESWG) Meeting, held under the German Presidency of the G20 with the motto “Shaping an Interconnected World” on 14-15 December 2016 in Munich, Germany.
The Second G20 Energy Ministers’ Meeting called on the International Energy Forum to establish a Knowledge Sharing Framework on Energy Efficiency in support of the G20 Energy Efficiency Leading Programme. This extends work on an Asian Energy Efficiency Knowledge Sharing Framework under the IEF that Energy Ministers gathered at the 6th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable in Doha, Qatar in 2015 endorsed upon a proposal from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the support of Japan.
In presenting options for G20 delegates to consider and support, the IEF briefed the 1st G20 ESWG on the work ongoing for the launch of the Energy Efficiency Knowledge Sharing Framework in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan, and other IEF member countries, as well as with relevant International Organisations.
Mindful of the outcomes of the 15th Session of the IEF International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting held on 26-28 September in Algiers, Algeria that enhance the IEF producer-consumer dialogue to strengthen energy security and facilitate an orderly energy transition, G20 ESWG delegates expressed their support for this new initiative and welcomed the progress made. Delegates also emphasised the importance of IEF work on market transparency for secure and healthy functioning energy markets, and energy technology neutral debate on the facilitation of long term energy sector investment.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The IEF was delighted to welcome Mr Wim Thomas the Chief Energy Advisor of Shell to deliver an IEF Lecture on the recently published supplement to Shell’s New Lens Scenarios “A Better Life with a Healthy Planet: Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions”. This work illustrates choices, challenges and ideas for society to decarbonise the global economy in a way that Shell believes might address both the challenge of climate change and the desire for broader economic growth.
Shell notes that in spite of the many challenges, the practical details of providing enough energy for a better life for everyone with net-zero emissions can be envisaged - and that is reassuring, even inspiring. But getting there will not be easy. Successful and orderly energy transitions will require a combination of urgency and long term vision in policy making and leadership.
Mr Thomas’ presentation is available for download below and further details of Shell’s New Lens Scenarios can be found on the Shell website.
New Delhi, India
The 5th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum was held in New Delhi, India on 6 December 2016 back-to-back with PETROTECH 2016.
Photo: IEF SG Sun Xiansheng participated in the Ministerial Session of Petrotech 2016 inaugurated by HE Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (India)
The main theme of the Forum was "Gas for Growth; improving economic prosperity and living standards". The Government of India hosted this prestigious biennial Ministerial Forum, which was also supported by GAIL (India) Limited and the Natural Gas Society of India.
The International Energy Forum (IEF) and the International Gas Union (IGU) set up this important dialogue platform amongst Ministers, CEOs and experts, aiming to better understand the current state of play in the global gas industry and how the gas sector can contribute to sustainable growth and secure energy future. Changes in global gas supply and demand will continue to impact expectations regarding the urban environment and transport sector and influence the distribution of modern energy services and manufacturing processes around the world. As these trends will have important implications for energy policy and international cooperation, and as a member of both organisations, India was honoured to support this Ministerial dialogue by convening the 5th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum in New Delhi.
Left to right: Daniel Yergin, Dr Sun Xiansheng, HE Shri Dharmendra Pradhan (India) , David Carroll, HE Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada (Qatar)
5th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan - Interview
Dr Sun Xiansheng - Interview
Luis Bertran Rafecas - Interview
Shri B C Tripathi - Interview
Dr Hossein Adeli - Interview
Keisuke Sadamori - Interview
Daniel Yergin - Interview
Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura - Interview
Nobuo Tanaka - Interview
Samer Al Ashgar - Interview
Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi - Interview
Ane de Arino - Interview
David Modesett - Interview
Menelaos Ydreos - Interview
Inaugural Address by HE Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India
Setting the scene: Dr Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, IHS Markit, Author of The Quest and The Prize (session moderator)
Left to right: Nobuo Tanaka, Fereidun Fesharaki, Daniel Yergin, Dr Sun Xiansheng
The use of gas for power generation, industrial use, heating and transport has increased as a consequence of technological advances, lower prices, and a growing interest in reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas has become one of the preferred options for enabling access to modern energy services to support public health, economic development and to provide back-up in support of power generation with intermittent renewable energy sources. How the interaction between gas, renewable energies, nuclear and other fossil fuels is managed depends on country specific conditions and policy choices. Yet the contribution that gas makes in advancing economic diversification, sustainable growth, public health and lower emissions goals is widely acknowledged. How does gas combine best with other energy technologies in the policy design of individual producer and consumer countries and across regions?
Open roundtable discussion followed by an interactive survey
Opening Remarks: HE SM Hossein Adeli, Secretary General, Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)
Setting the Scene: Dr Fereidun Fesharaki, Founder and Chairman of FGE (session moderator)
Photo: Ane Ariño
New gas supply, a slow-down in economic growth and the effect of lower oil prices and competition from other energy sources have further decreased price differentials between spot and oil indexed price mechanisms. As a result, natural gas prices have converged among European, Asian and North American markets. These developments impact gas market integration, including dynamics between pipeline imports and LNG trade at regional and international levels. On the supply side, the export potential from some key gas producers is increasingly being constrained by rising domestic demand. Present price signals and subsidy reforms may further amplify this trend. On the demand side, European and Asian growth markets have experienced a period with high gas import prices and increasingly complex supply dynamics. This stimulated investment in alternative sources including coal, renewables and nuclear. How will supply and demand respond to these changing market conditions and affect regional gas trade? How are pricing barriers and infrastructure needs addressed to connect LNG facilities with power plants, and other inland off-takers, to accelerate gas market growth in India and Asian markets?
Open roundtable discussion followed by an interactive survey
Setting the Scene: Nobuo Tanaka, former IEA Executive Director (session moderator)
Left to right: Samer Ashgar, Luis Bertran Rafecas, Roger Bounds, David Modesett, Daniel Yergin
New realities give rise to new questions. These concern the impact of current policy and price signals on gas sector investment. Major pipeline and LNG capacity is entering the market after a period of sustained upstream investment aimed at diversifying existing markets and developing new ones. The projected abundance, on one hand, sharpens focus on investment in downstream infrastructure and policies to facilitate gas market penetration where the expansion of gas consumption enables economic diversification, and makes rapid demographic growth and urbanization more sustainable. On the other hand, perceptions and realities of greater gas supply availability differ. Obstacles and opportunities depend on producer-consumer market characteristics and contract terms or policy relations across regions.
Open roundtable discussion followed by an interactive survey
Left to right: HE Mohamed Zayed Awad (Sudan), HE Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (Nigeria), HE Yiorgos Lakotrypis (Cyprus)
Video interview of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India.
Watch the 5th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum Joint Press Conference – Credit Energy Infrapost.
Details of the previous IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forums can be found below.
Tokyo, Japan
The Energy Charter Conference held its 27th Meeting on 25-26 November 2016 in Tokyo under the Chairmanship of HE Fumio Kishida, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng was invited to deliver a keynote speech to the conference, which 25 years after its conception was taking place in East Asia for the first time. Dr Sun’s speech entitled "Global Energy Architecture and its Implication in Asia" is available for download below.
The Energy Charter characterized the conference as a milestone event that recognised the increasing importance of the Asian region in the global energy landscape and also the role of the International Energy Charter as a universal regulatory framework for energy investment, cross-border trade, transit and energy efficiency. The primary themes explored by participants in the conference included discussions on the relevance of the Energy Charter Process to global challenges, not least in the context of helping to reach the goal of universal energy access under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the commitment to a low-carbon economy expressed in the Paris Agreement. The conference programme also addressed issues including continued investment in energy projects and better regional interconnection to improve universal access to affordable, reliable, clean, sustainable and modern energy services in Sub-Saharan and Asia-Pacific regions, which are key areas of common interest between the G20 and the International Energy Charter.
Dr Sun also participated as an observer in the Ministerial Session of the conference on 26 November, the theme of which was "Relevance of the International Energy Charter to Global Challenges: its potential contributions to sustainable development and global efforts on climate change".
More detail on these events can be found at the official website of the Energy Charter.
