JODI Information Seminar - Held on the Sideline of IEF16

New Delhi, India

JODI Information Seminar - Held on the Sideline of IEF16

New Delhi, India

The JODI Information Seminar was held on 10 April 2018 on the sidelines of the 16 International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting (IEF16) held in New Delhi, India.

The event was inaugurated by H.E. Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General of the IEF and Sunjay Sudhir, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India. H.E. Yury Sentyurin, Secretary General, GECF, H.E. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General, OPEC as well as representative of APEC, IEA, and OLADE inaugurated the Seminar. 

The Seminar gathered government officials, industry experts, and media to revisit the history of JODI, characterised by strong political support since its inception in 2000. Acting as the mechanism for cooperation among national administrations, the JODI Partners were highlighted for their role in the JODI Data supply chain, maintaining a key feature of the initiative.

IEF Secretary General, H.E. Sun Xiansheng highlighted that leaders need reliable data to make foresighted decisions on policies and investments. He reaffirmed the IEFs commitment to enhance global energy data transparency under the JODI framework and saluted collaborations by the JODI Partners amongst international organisations and representatives of national administrations to achieve the shared goals of JODI. Sunjay Sudhir reinforced the significance of reliable data to support short-, and long-term gas market research and forecasts.

Fuad AlZayer, the Coordinator of JODI at the IEF highlighted strong political support and joint efforts of the JODI Partners as well as their member countries, to build the JODI Database since its inception in 2000. Erica Robin, Oil and Gas Section Head, IEA highlighted the key features that differentiate JODI from other data sources while Aziz Yahyai of OPEC demonstrated how OPEC use JODI data for their market research to achieve “Better Data - Better Decisions”. Atreyee Das, Director General, Petroleum Planning and Analysis, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India, underlined the benefits of energy data transparency for national administrations and India’s journey to enhance their energy data transparency.              

Delegates from the JODI Partners Organisations and Seminar attendees deliberated views on the way forward, and avenues for overcoming challenges faced in the processes involved in compiling the JODI World Databases.

Attendees viewed data transparency as paramount to a smooth energy transition and stronger collective efforts towards achieving sustainable development goals, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG7 - “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”.

The JODI Information Seminar hosted in India held on the sideline of the IEF16 Ministerial was in line with key actions stated in the JODI 5-Year Action Plan which calls for raising awareness of the JODI platform and database, and Identifying and engaging champions for JODI.

By putting the JODI 5-Year Action Plan into practice, the JODI Partners spare no effort to meet with key stakeholders around the world to deliver JODI aspirations for: 

• Stronger commitment
• Well-trained professionals
• Stronger public engagement

JODI Seminar Videos

• JODI Information Seminar Highlights
• Fuad Al-Zayer - Interview
• Dr. Andres Schuschny - Interview
• Dr. Adedapo Odulaja - Interview

JODI Information Seminar

Opening Remarks

• Sunjay Sudhir, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India

Scene Setting and Welcome Remark

• Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, IEF

Introduction of JODI Partner Organisations in presence of heads of JODI Partner Organisations

• APEC, GECF, IEA, OPEC, OLADE

JODI History to Present: Importance of Energy Data Transparency

• Fuad AlZayer, Energy Data Transparency Coordinator | JODI, IEF

How JODI data are collected and processed: key features that differentiate JODI from other data sources

• Erica Robin, Head of Section, Energy Data Centre, IEA

Benefits of energy data transparency for national administration

• Atreyee Das, Director General, Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India

How JODI Data Is Used for Market Research: Better Data - Better Decisions

• Expert Speaker, OPEC

JODI Participation Assessments and Key Features of JODI World Databases

• Yuichiro Torikata, Energy Analyst, IEF

Roundtable discussion: "How to Further Enhance Engagement of National Administrations Responsible for JODI Data Collection & Dissemination?"

Concluding Remarks

• Dr Sun Xiansheng

6th Meeting of Heads of JODI Partner Organisations

New Delhi, India

6th Meeting of Heads of JODI Partner Organisations

New Delhi, India

The heads and representatives of the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) Partners who were present for the 16th IEF Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi, India - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Energy Forum, (IEF), Organización Latino americana de Energia (OLADE) , and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) - met on 10 April 2018 for the 6th Meeting of the Heads of JODI Partner Organisations to take account of progress made since their last high-level meeting in Algiers in 2016.

The meeting of the Heads of the JODI Partners is held every 2 years in association with the IEF Ministerial Meeting. The main objective of the Head of JODI  meeting is to help determine and set forth an agreed path forward for JODI based on the outcome of consultations with the JODI data-user community and the aspirations of the Partners to deliver ongoing improvements to the Initiative.

The JODI Heads discussed how they can best collaborate with different stakeholders at various stages of the JODI Data supply chain focusing on improving the quality and completeness of the released information. They also reviewed progress made on the 5-Year JODI Action-Plan and commend future JODI activities in line with the Plan.

The JODI Heads welcomed that JODI is now seen as reference in the oil and gas industry, and that JODI Data now appear on commercial data redistribution platforms. 

The JODI Heads took note of efforts to improve energy data transparency beyond the current data collection framework by increasing the visibility and accessibility of currently available data, such as coal, on the JODI Website, and to assess thefeasibility of extending JODI coverage to other energy flows.

Upon concluding the meeting, the Heads of JODI Partner Organisations called on all JODI stakeholders in government and industry to continue their support for improving JODI Data quality. The Partners also called on IEF Ministers to ensure that the necessary regulatory and institutional framework, as well as adequate human and financial resources are available to provide comprehensive, reliable, and timely energy data.

JODI Videos

• JODI Information Seminar Highlights
• Fuad Al-Zayer – Interview
• Dr. Adedapo Odulaja – Interview
• Dr. Andres Schuschny – Interview

6th Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets

Vienna, Austria

6th Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets

Vienna, Austria

The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) hosted the 6th Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria on 15 March 2018.

The high-level meeting 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. Discussions were structured into five sessions focusing on the following key topics:

• Recent oil market volatility
• Developments in oil market financing
• Emergence of blockchain technology
• Price formation and small crude streams
• Evolving crude trade flows

The Workshop is part of the trilateral work programme established by the IEA, IEF and OPEC, and endorsed by energy ministers at the 12th International Energy Forum in Cancún, Mexico, held in March 2010 and subsequent G20 meetings. The Joint Workshop represents the 8th event in this particular ongoing dialogue of the trilateral work programme that considers the evolving inter-linkages between physical and financial energy markets, and issues of common concern not typically addressed in other high-level fora.

To encourage open and informative discussions, the Workshop was held under the Chatham House Rule, with participation of key market participants on the financial and physical sides of the market. The next Joint Workshop is scheduled to take place on 19 March 2019.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• HE Mr Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General, OPEC
• HE Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, IEF
• Mr Neil Atkinson, Head of the Oil Industry and Markets Division, IEA

Session I: Recent Oil Market Volatility

Moderated by Harry Tchilinguirian, BNP Paribas
Panellists:

• Paul Horsnell, Standard Chartered
• Dave Ensberger, Platts

Session II Developments in Oil Market Financing

Moderated by David Chang, Wellington Management
Panellists:

• Bob Brackett, Sandford C. Bernstein
• Doug Mackenzie, Citigroup

Session III: Financial Oil Market Technology

Moderated by Bill Farren-Price, Petroleum Policy Intelligence
Panellist:

• Arnoud Star Busmann, ING

Session IV: Price Formation for Small Crude Streams

Moderated by Antoine Halff, Columbia University
Panellists:

• Jim Nicholson, Argus Media
• Dave Ensberger, Platts

Session V: Evolving Crude Trade Flows

Moderated by Giovanni Serio, Vitol
Panellists:

• Saad Rahim, Trafigura
• Kurt Chapman, Mercuria

Key Links

• OPEC
• IEA

Previous Workshops

• Fifth IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on Physical and Financial Markets
  15 March 2016, Vienna, Austria
  
• Fourth IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on Physical and Financial Markets
  31 March 2014, Vienna, Austria
  
• Third IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on Physical and Financial Markets
  21 March 2013, Vienna, Austria
  
• Second IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on Physical and Financial Markets
  29 November 2011, Vienna, Austria
• First IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on Physical and Financial Markets
  22-23 November 2010, London, UK

16th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Europe

Odessa, Ukraine

16th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Europe

Odessa, Ukraine

The 16th Regional JODI Training Workshop targeting Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Europe was held in Odessa, Ukraine  from 12-16 March 2018. The event was held as a part of IEA for EU4Energy Training Week on Monthly Statistics hosted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Union under the EU4Energy Project initiative.

The Workshop was organised by the IEF with the support of the JODI Partners: APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, OPEC, OLADE and UNSD. Trainers from Eurostat, GECF and UNSD were present to benefit the energy data professionals in charge of hydrocarbon data collection and dissemination at national administrations in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Europe.

More than 50 delegates from 10 countries took part in the Workshop designed to raise awareness of JODI and improve the national capacity to achieve better JODI data submission from each represented country within the region. The Workshop was opened by Mr Ihor Verner, Chair of State Statics Services of Ukraine, and was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine.

Hands-on exercises provided a unique opportunity to explore methodologies for condensing data from complex energy supply chains into simple JODI questionnaire formats. Throughout these intensive training activities, attendees actively exchanged in dialogue on data with the JODI Partner organisations and amongst themselves, to share knowledge on the best practices related to data reporting mechanisms.

Workshop attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a parallel forum on transportation policies held under EU4Energy framework, with a special emphasis on the need for reliable data to make effective policy decisions. The theme of this forum highlighted the JODI mission for Better Data, Better Decisions.

JODI Regional Training Workshops fall directly in line with Objective 3 of the JODI 5-Year Action Plan to continue to strengthen capacity building efforts to improve JODI Data quality, timeliness and availability.

The JODI Partners will continue to follow-up on outstanding issues identified during the workshop and commitments made by participating countries to ensure greater data transparency within the region.

Previous JODI Training Workshops

• 15th Regional JODI Training Workshop
  11-13 April 2017, Tunis, Tunisia
• 14th Regional JODI Training Workshop
  9-11 November 2016, Moscow, Russia
• 13th Regional JODI Training Workshop
  18-20 May 2016, Beijing, China
• 12th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Latin American and Caribbean Countries
  20-22 October 2015, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
• 11th Regional JODI Training Workshop for South East European Countries
  23-25 March 2015, Vienna, Austria
• 10th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Sub-Sahara and MENA Region
  23-25 November 2014, Doha, Qatar
• 9th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Central Asia and MENA Region
  25-27 February 2014, Baku, Azerbaijan
• 8th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Asia and Pacific Region
  28-30 October 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• 7th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Middle East and North Africa
  8-10 October 2012, Rabat, Morocco
• 4th Regional JODI Training Workshop for Asia Pacific Countries 
  10-12 September 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

1st IEF-USEA Industry Advisory Committee Workshop

Washington DC, USA

1st IEF-USEA Industry Advisory Committee Workshop

Washington DC, USA

Oil and gas markets witnessed profound changes on both the supply and demand side over the past three years. Market stability, however, appears more than before, to rest on agreements and technologies yet to be fully tested in the new market setting. Though new unconventional volumes have shortened investment cycles, and policy shifts on the demand side may slow demand growth rates, increasing oil and gas consumption must ultimately be balanced by a return of investment in conventional production and infrastructure.

To discuss energy security in the new market setting, Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), and Mr Barry K. Worthington, Executive Director of the United States Energy Association (USEA) co-hosted a First IEF Industry Advisory Committee Workshop in Washington DC on 27 February 2018.

The Workshop explored developments that are reshaping energy markets to help inform dialogue at the 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial that India will host in New Delhi on 10-12 April 2018 under the theme “The Future of Global Energy Security”.

Mrs Andrea Lockwood, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa, Middle East, Europe & Eurasia of the U.S. Department of Energy, and member of the IEF Executive Board welcomed participants. To set the stage for two panel sessions with representatives from industry, Dr Linda Capuano, Administrator of the U.S. Energy Administration and Mr Biswajist Roy, Director of Oil India Limited gave key note addresses. Joseph McMonigle, President & Cofounder of the Abraham Group, and Vicky Bailey, Founder of Anderson Stratton International, Director Cheniere Energy, Former Assistant Secretary of International Affairs at DOE, and Chairman of the USAE, moderated discussions on continuity and change in energy markets, and transparency respectively assessing strengths and weaknesses of the new oil and gas market setting and requirements for investment to move forward in future.

Discussions were governed by Chatham House rule, opening remarks and presentations are retrievable below.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Barry K. Worthington, Executive Director, USEA
• Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, IEF
• Andrea Lockwood, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa, Middle East, Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Department of Energy

Keynote Addresses

• Linda A Capuano, Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration
• Biswajist Roy, Director (HR & BD), Oil India Limited

Panel Session I New Volumes, Same Cycles? Continuity and Change in Energy Markets; What does a SWOT analysis of the new environment give?

Moderated by Joseph McMonigle, President and Cofounder, The Abraham Group

• BinChang Lu, Chairman of Oilfield Service Group, Kerui
• Anas F. Alhajji, Managing Partner, Energy Outlook Advisors LLC
• Huifeng Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Canadian Solar
• Jamie Webster, Senior Director, Center for Energy Impact, Boston Consulting Group

Panel Session II Dialogue and Market Transparency; How is energy security served, what does investment require to move forward?

Moderated by Vicky Bailey, Founder Anderson Stratton International, Director Cheniere Energy, former Assistant Secretary of International Affairs at DOE

• Gianni DiGiovanni, Chairman, ENI, North America
• Ashok Belani, Executive Vice President Technology, Schlumberger
• Liu He, Vice-Chief Engineer, CNPC
• Mahmoud El Gamal, Professor of Economics and Statistics Rice University

Key Links

• USEA

1st G20 Energy Efficiency and Renewables Forum and Energy Transitions Working Group

Buenos Aires, Argentina

1st G20 Energy Efficiency and Renewables Forum and Energy Transitions Working Group

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The International Energy Forum (IEF) participated in the 1st Energy Efficiency & Renewables Forum and Energy Transitions Working Group, held under the G20 Presidency of Argentina with the motto "Building Consensus for Fair and Sustainable Development" on 21-23 February 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In the 1st Session of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group the G20 Presidency requested the IEF to contribute to G20 session discussions on energy data transparency and markets digitalisation by presenting on JODI-Oil and Gas. Delegates observed that market transparency has always been at the heart of the IEF Energy Dialogue on energy security, and the mission of the G20. Enhancing collaboration on data transparency will become more important to strengthen energy security, sustainable development, and orderly transitions in the interests of all stakeholders. The greater ease of access to more granular data that digitisation offers will allow energy policy makers and investors to make better decisions faster in a more dynamically evolving world energy market.

The IEF also participated in the Energy Efficiency & Renewables Forum following the 2nd G20 Energy Ministers’ call on the International Energy Forum in 2016 under the Chinese Presidency 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, and welcomed at the IEF15 Ministerial Meeting in Algiers in 2016.

At the 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2017, Ministers encouraged stakeholders to pool efforts in globally integrated frameworks to accelerate energy efficiency gains across the full energy sector spectrum and leverage the IEF Energy Efficiency Knowledge Sharing Framework, in close collaboration with relevant organisations, and governance platforms in Asia, as well as with other international organisations such as the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, the IEA, the International Energy Charter, OPEC, SEforAll, the United Nations, working together in the G20 Energy Efficiency Leading Programme adopted under the Chinese G20 Presidency in 2016 and other relevant arrangements to further enhance energy productivity in Asia and the wider world economy.

Key Links

• Official website of the G20 Presidency of Argentina

Previous G20 Meetings

• Second G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting, German G20 Presidency
  23 March 2017, Berlin, Germany
• First G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting Under the German G20 Presidency
  14-15 December 2016, Munich, Germany
• G20 Energy Ministers' Meeting
  29-30 June 2016, Beijing, China
• Second G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting
  12-14 April 2016, Shenzhen, China
• First G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting
  28 January 2016, Xiamen, China
• G20 Energy Ministers' Meeting and Conference on Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1-2 October 2015, Istanbul, Turkey
• 3rd G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting
  1-3 September 2015, Izmir, Turkey
• 2nd G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting
  25-26 May 2015, Istanbul, Turkey
• 1st G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group Meeting
  24-25 February 2015, Antalya, Turkey

IEF Lecture: ExxonMobil's 2018 Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IEF Lecture: ExxonMobil's 2018 Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The IEF welcomed Mr Rob Gardner, Manager for the Economics & Energy Division of the ExxonMobil Corporate Strategic Planning Department at its Riyadh headquarters on 18 February 2018. Mr Gardner presented the 2018 Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040 which provides ExxonMobil’s perspective on energy demand and supply through 2040. The report informed a distinguished audience of diplomats, industry representatives and academic researchers on the company’s long-term global view of factors that will shape the world’s energy future. Findings from the outlook support ExxonMobil’s business strategies and investment plans to navigate through the changing energy market environment. The re-conceptualised report includes various alternative scenarios adding important insights to help inform an open and transparent energy dialogue from the perspective of a key energy sector stakeholder.

Key Links

• ExxonMobil Outlook for Energy

4th IEF-KAPSARC Thought-Leaders' Roundtable

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

4th IEF-KAPSARC Thought-Leaders' Roundtable

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), Dr Sun Xiansheng and the Head of Research at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), David Hobbs moderated dialogue on energy security in transition at the 4th IEF-KAPSARC Thought Leaders’ Roundtable meeting on 15 February 2018. Discussions, governed by Chatham House Rule, explored whether fossil fuels will share common or differentiated energy futures, and how energy transition policies influence oil and gas investment assessing realities and visions.

The roundtable examined the future of oil, gas, and coal in a low demand growth environment. Panelists highlighted how subsidies on both fossil-, and non-fossil fuels, from coal to renewables, affect supply and demand patterns in producer and consumer countries differently according to varying needs. Panelists from consumer countries emphasised the importance of infrastructure investment to ensure networks are sufficiently resilient and robust to accommodate new technologies and changing demand and supply patterns. Though technology breakthroughs in unconventional oil and gas production and decentralised electricity generation are difficult to foresee, producers and consumers who swiftly adapt to these developments will succeed in the new market environment. Producer country representatives underlined the importance of improving energy efficiency in energy supply chains and economic sectors that rely on fossil fuels. They also highlighted the importance of diversifying energy technologies by unlocking investment from the private sector.  

The roundtable follows up on a year-long engagement to explore scenarios for producers and consumers navigating the transition to a lower carbon energy future. The initiative was launched at the Third IEF-KAPSARC Thought Leaders’ Roundtable in 2017. Outcomes of these discussions will help to inform the global energy dialogue at the 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting under the theme "The Future of Global Energy Security, Transition, Technology, Trade, and Investment" hosted by India in New Delhi on 10-12 April 2018.

Opening Remarks

• Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, IEF

Session I: Common, or differentiated energy futures?

Moderated by David Hobbs Head of Research KAPSARC

• Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya, former Chairman of Coal India Ltd
• Chris Midgely, Global Director of Analytics S&P Global Platts
• Jamie Webster, Senior Director, Center for Energy Impact, The Boston Consulting Group
• Amos Hochstein, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Tellurian; former US Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs
• Ramón Espinasa, General Coordinator, Extractive Sector Initiative, Infrastructure and Energy Sector, Interamerican Development Bank

Session II: Energy security in transition; realities and visions

Moderated by Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, IEF

• Tatiana Mitrova, Director - Energy Center, Skolkovo Business School
• Majid Al Moneef, Advisor to the Royal Court, Chairman Advisory Council KAPSARC
• Luis Bertrán Rafecas, Secretary General International Gas Union

Key Links

• KAPSARC

Previous IEF Thought-Leaders Roundtables:

• 3rd IEF-KAPSARC Thought-Leaders' Roundtable
  16 February 2017, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• 2nd IEF-KAPSARC Thought-Leaders' Roundtable
  17 February 2016, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• IEF-KAPSARC Thought-Leaders Roundtable on Oil Market Volatility, Investment and Spare Capacity
  24 March 2015, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• IEF-KEEI Thought-Leaders Roundtable on The Rise of Unconventional Gas
  15 June 2014, Dubai, UAE
• IEF Thought-Leaders Roundtable on Unconventional Markets
  24 March 2014, Seoul, South Korea
• IEF Thought-Leaders Roundtable on Price Formation in Oil and Gas Markets
  22 March 2013, Vienna, Austria
• IEF Thought-Leaders Roundtable on the Increase in Unconventional Oil and Gas Production in North America
  23 January 2013, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• IEF Thought-Leaders Roundtable on Gas
  5 October 2012, Paris, France

The Eighth IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Eighth IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Energy ministers and world-renowned experts gathered in Riyadh for the 8th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks that the International Energy Forum (IEF) convenes yearly in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to discuss energy outlooks, review historical baseline data, and advance the comparability of different scenarios in a collective effort to enhance producer-consumer dialogue on energy security and market transparency.

The Symposium was opened by Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries; and Keisuke Sadamori, Director, Energy Markets and Security, representing the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. The representatives of the three organisations welcomed more than 150 senior government and industry representatives from energy producing and consuming countries to the open platform the IEF provides.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr Sun Xiansheng noted that this year’s high-level attendance, which included the energy ministers of Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Sudan highlights the importance of inclusive dialogue on global energy security and energy data transparency for our shared energy future.  

"Global energy dialogue is more important now than ever. We currently find ourselves at an energy crossroads, and it is imperative we talk to each other, engage one another and achieve goals together. This Symposium is essential to that end," Dr Sun Xiansheng said.

HE Khalid al-Falih Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia; HE Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy, Russia made introductory remarks on behalf of the host country, and participating ministers.

HE Khalid Al-Falih, said that "Realism and resolve are the only ways to achieve an orderly transition to a more secure, more sustainable energy future" and highlighted that "there is a tremendous opportunity here for the IEA, the IEF and OPEC to collaborate in promoting a rational view of future energy policy that will promote energy security, encourage environmental protection, meet and mitigate the challenges of climate change, and help to fuel economic prosperity not just in the developed world, but the developing world as well.

The Minister of Energy of Russia, HE Alexander Novak stated that "For any country to successfully implement its energy policy an adequate understanding of the main trends, and factors influencing markets is necessary.  To create a predictable environment for policy and investment decisions we strongly believe that the process of modelling of the future, through an inclusive comparative analysis of Energy Outlooks, must become universal and global. In this regard, we yield due praise to the IEF, which for more than 20 years has been successful in its role as the main platform and coordinator of this process."

"Today’s event is a further bridge to enhancing a common understanding between IEF, the IEA and OPEC," the OPEC Secretary General stated. "These efforts are a priority for OPEC because in today’s increasingly complex and interlinked global oil market, no one player can go it alone - cooperation and dialogue are crucial."

Mr Keisuke Sadamori stated that the IEA was committed to working together with IEF, OPEC, and other stakeholders in order to make a significant contribution to the process of transition to more sustainable and secure energy systems.

Discussions in three sessions governed by the Chatham House Rule focused on the latest IEA and OPEC projections, key findings from the comparative analysis, projections by the US Energy Information Administration, invited as a special guest, and industry views on energy outlooks, as well as investment in unconventional and conventional oil and gas production. Reflecting on the outcomes of this year’s Symposium, the heads of the three organisations found that:

• Comparing outlooks has become easier over successive meetings; dialogue on varied producer and consumer perspectives has become better informed and more collegial. This year’s comparative analysis of the IEA’s and OPEC’s short-, medium-, and long-term projections has led to better data outcomes and a sharper focus on differences in respect of
  1. The shifts in global energy demand and supply patterns,
  2. The role and resilience of unconventional production in OECD countries,
  3. The extent energy matrices compared change over time.
• A continued commitment to global dialogue to strengthen energy security world-wide – In a shifting energy landscape with more variable energy needs across regions, dialogue between IEF government and industry stakeholders on globally shared policy goals, investment requirements, and market solutions is vital to global energy security.

• IEA-IEF-OPEC remain committed to achieving greater data consistency and improving the comparability of energy outlooks - Continued collaboration and agreement on baselines and projection periods, as well as definitions and classifications has helped to make IEA and OPEC forecasts more comparable. Senior experts meeting on 13 February in advance of the Symposium agreed to:
  1. Share baseline and projection time frames for Outlooks published in 2018
  2. Joint specialist workshops to further explore:
     • underlying assumptions in base case scenarios
     • global evolution of energy policies
     • energy technology pathways and breakthroughs
  3. Consider options to bridge differences in the
     • classifications of countries and regions across both OECD, non-OECD and OPEC Member Countries, rendering them easier to compare
     • fuel types categorisation in regional and global balances
     • historical baseline data sets and revisions thereto
  4. Enhance communication at an analyst level where appropriate, e.g. to flag significant data revisions and methodological issues, and benefiting from state-of-the-art IT technology, e.g. webinars, where possible.
  5. And discuss these at their next joint meeting that OPEC will host on 16 March, following the 6th IEA-IEF-OPEC Workshop on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets taking place in Vienna on 15 March 2018.

Dr Sun Xiansheng noted that "while considerable progress has been made in improving the comparability of IEA and OPEC outlooks, there remains room for improvement" urging further breakthroughs. "Other outlooks such as those provided by the US Energy Information Administration, or by companies and academia could well be included in future comparative analysis."

He echoed remarks by HE Khalid Al-Falih that "this gathering has become a true meeting of some of the greatest minds in the world of energy, and we look forward to a candid and constructive exchange of viewpoints, ideas and insights."

"Looking ahead, I believe there is great potential in expanding our existing dialogue and collaboration efforts and instituting them on a long-term basis," the OPEC Secretary General concluded. "Through open and transparent communication such as we have witnessed here today, we will foster a more sustainable stability in the global oil market, and all industry stakeholders will stand to benefit."

Mr Sadamori reaffirmed the ever-increasing importance of ensuring market transparency on the basis of accurate data at a time when the oil market is undergoing drastic changes.

Speeches and presentations made available with the consent of panellists are available below:

Welcome and opening statements

• Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, IEF
• HE Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia HE
• HE Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy, Russian Federation
• HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General, OPEC
• Mr Keisuke Sadamori, Director, Energy Markets and Security, IEA

Session I: Key findings from the Comparative Analysis on Energy Outlooks, and presentation of the latest IEA and OPEC projections

• Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director, Research Division, OPEC
• Tim Gould, Head of Division, World Energy Outlook, IEA
• Richard G Newell, President, Resources For the Future
• Charles Mead, Assistant Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration

Session II: Industry views on short-, medium-, and long-term energy outlooks

Moderated by Vladimir Feygin, President, Institute for Energy and Finance, Russian Federation

• Dario Speranza, Vice President, International Affairs, Political and Institutional Analysis and Scenarios, Eni
• Alexey Gromov, Principal Director on Energy Studies, Institute for Energy and Finance, Russian Federation
• Wen Zhixin, Chief Geologist, Department of Global Resources & Exploration Planning, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, PetroChina
• Abd Rahim Mahmood, Head, Strategic Research, Petronas
• Claudio Galimberti, Senior Advisor, Group Strategy & Shell Trading, Shell International

Session III: Investment in unconventional and conventional, oil and gas production

Moderated by Christof Ruhl, Head of Global Research, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

• Robert McNally, President, Rapidan Energy Group
• Helen Currie, Chief Economist, ConocoPhillips
• Alexandre Andlauer, Head of Energy Sector, AlphaValue
• Amrita Sen, Chief Oil Analyst, Energy Aspects
• Abhishek Deshpande, Head of Oil Research, Executive Director, Global Commodities Research, J.P. Morgan

Key Links

• OPEC
• IEA
• EIA

• Seventh IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  15 February 2017, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  
• Sixth IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  16 February 2016, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  
• Fifth IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  23 March 2015, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  
• Fourth IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  22 January 2014, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  
• Third IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  22 January 2013, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  
• Second IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  23-24 January 2012, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  
• First IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
  24 January 2011, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2nd IEF-EU Energy Day

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2nd IEF-EU Energy Day

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dr Sun Xiansheng opened the 2nd IEF-EU Energy Day on Efficient and Sustainable Resource Management in the Circular Economy that the IEF co-hosted with the European Union on 13 February 2018. Ms Véronique Hyeulle, Senior Adviser Global Sustainable Development of the European Commission Directorate General Environment, presented on the European Union Circular Economy Strategy.

Dr Mustapha Taoumi, Clean Energy Technology Expert of the EU-GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, and Mr Amer Alrajiba, Deputy Sector Head, Energy, Industry & Minerals Sectoral Development Affairs of the Ministry of Economy and Planning moderated two panel discussions. One panel explored energy efficiency and waste management and the other discussed circular economy challenges and opportunities for the private sector. Both sessions invited interventions from high-level European Union and Saudi Arabian government and industry representatives.

Discussants focussed attention on how waste can be used as a resource in policy, industry practices, and product design in Europe and the Middle East. Debate also ensued on the outcomes of the discussion on energy efficiency and renewable energy at the 1st IEF-EU Energy Day. Topics included power to gas conversion, carbon capture use and storage options in the redesign of energy, and other supply chains in a circular economy.  Delegates also noted that energy efficiency, resource productivity, and waste management gains go hand in hand when adequate investment conditions, including generating greater public acceptance, are provided in the policy and business environment. Waste heat recovery and cement industry intake of secondary fuels are first wins in economies that seek to place their resource management on a more productive and sustainable footing. 

Outcomes of this collaborative effort will help to consolidate cooperation with institutional and industry stakeholders and further inform the IEF Energy Dialogue at the 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial hosted by India in New Delhi on 10-12 April 2018, as well as other upcoming ministerial events and dialogue meetings.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum
• Lucie Berger, Head of Trade Section, European Union Delegation Saudi Arabia

Introduction to the EU circular economy strategy and its benefits (EU)

• Véronique Hyeulle, Senior Adviser Global Sustainable Development, European Commission, Directorate General, Environment

Panel Session 1: Energy efficiency, and waste management in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Middle East: Policy, industry practices, and product design

Moderated by Mustapha Taoumi, Clean Energy Technology Expert, EU-GCC Clean Energy Technology Network

• Naif Al Ragass, Director General Assistant for Technical Affairs, Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre
• Rovena Preka, Project Manager and Researcher, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development)
• Emmanuel Katrakis, Secretary-General of the European Recycling Industries' Confederation
• Herman Huisman, Senior Expert for International Cooperation Ministry for infrastructure and Water, Netherlands

Panel Session 2: Circular economy challenges and opportunities for the private sector and SMEs

Moderated by Amer Alrajiba, Deputy Sector Head, Energy, Industry & Minerals Sectoral Development Affairs Ministry of Economy and Planning

• Hamid Al-Harthi, Sustainability Senior Manager, SABIC
• Luis Bertrán Rafecas, Secretary General, International Gas Union IGU
• Vincent Pirot, Anglo Belgian Corporation
• Concluding Remarks - Lucie Berger, Head of Trade Section, European Union Delegation Saudi Arabia

Key Links

• EU Circular Economy Strategy

Previous IEF-EU Energy Days

• 1st IEF-EU Energy Day
  14 February 2017, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  

JODI Inter-Secretariat Meeting - February 2018

Vienna, Austria

JODI Inter-Secretariat Meeting - February 2018

Vienna, Austria

The IEF chaired an Inter Secretariat Meeting of JODI partner organisations including APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, IEF, OLADE, OPEC, & UNSD in Vienna on 7-8 February 2018.

The meeting, hosted by OPEC at their Headquarters in Vienna, focused on preparation for the upcoming 16th IEF Ministerial Meeting (IEF16) in New Delhi, India, including the JODI Information Seminar/Energy Data Transparency Exhibit and the Heads of JODI Partners Meeting scheduled on 10 April 2018.

The meeting also reviewed progress on:

• Participation Assessment of the JODI-Oil and JODI-Gas World Databases.
• Outcomes from the 13th International JODI Conference held in London in October 2017.
• Feedback from the JODI-Gas Information Seminar held in Bolivia on 21 November 2017.
• Feedback since permission was granted to Data Redistribution Agencies (Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Platts) in October 2017 to republish JODI Data and increase the visibility of JODI Data.
• Feedback on JODI and data transparency from G20 Ministers.
• Steps on improving the availability of coal data and collection by JODI Partners. The planning of an Energy Data Transparency Portal to consolidate available coal data and resources via the JODI Website, contributing to improved global coal data transparency.
• Plans for JODI Capacity Building Workshops in 2018 for Eastern European countries in Ukraine, and for Latin American countries in Ecuador.
• Brainstormed ideas for future JODI Capacity Building Workshops and JODI Data User Seminars.
• Update on planned improvements of the JODI Website and JODI Database.

Partners supported the plan to host the next JODI Capacity Building Workshop for Eastern European countries in Ukraine in March 2018, and a future workshop for Latin American countries during the second half of 2018.

Partners also agreed to host the JODI Data Users Seminar in New Delhi, India alongside the JODI Information Seminar associated with 16th IEF Ministerial Meeting.

JODI Partners also discussed a way forward to improve cooperation with other energy organisations who have shown interest in associating with JODI.

Previous Inter-Secretariat Meetings

• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2017
  12 October 2017, London, UK
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - March 2017
  13-14 March 2017, Vienna, Austria
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - December 2016
  15-16 December 2016, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - July 2016
  13-15 July 2016, Vienna, Austria
• Inter Secretariat Meeting Of JODI Partners - February 2016
  3-4 February 2016, London, United Kingdom
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - September 2015
  17-18 September 2015, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2014
  20 October 2014, Vienna, Austria
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - July 2014
  7-8 July 2014, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - March 2014
  13 March 2014, Tokyo, Japan
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2013
  3-4 October 2013, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - June 2013
  3 June 2013, Bali, Indonesia

IEF Lecture - OFID's Nexus: Food, Water and Energy

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IEF Lecture - OFID's Nexus: Food, Water and Energy

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The IEF Secretary General was honoured to welcome Mr Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) to the IEF Secretariat to present an IEF Lecture on OFID’s perspective of the Food, Water and Energy Nexus. Mr Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, a Saudi national, has been the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of OFID since November 2003. He has been especially vocal on the issue of energy poverty alleviation, a cause he has championed tirelessly at the highest level and one that forms the central pillar of OFID’s strategic plan.

Mr Al-Herbish’s presentation (available for download below) shared OFID’s views on the relationship between the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on the food, water and energy nexus. Mr Al-Herbish discussed the intricate relationship between the nexus and how OFIDs efforts aim to enhance progress towards reaching these goals and eradicating energy poverty worldwide.

Mr Al-Herbish holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Cairo and an MA in Economics from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. Prior to his appointment at OFID, he served for 13 years as the Governor of Saudi Arabia at OPEC. He is currently in his third term of office at OFID, having been re-elected unanimously by the institution’s highest authority, the Ministerial Council, in June 2013.

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is the development finance institution established by the Member States of OPEC in 1976 as a collective channel of aid to the developing countries. OFID works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international donor community to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty in all disadvantaged regions of the world. It does this by providing financing to build essential infrastructure, strengthen social services delivery and promote productivity, competitiveness and trade. OFID’s work is people-centred, focusing on projects that meet basic needs - such as food, energy, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education with the aim of encouraging self-reliance and inspiring hope for the future.

GECF Gas Summit and International Gas Seminar

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

GECF Gas Summit and International Gas Seminar

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

The IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng headed the IEF delegation at the 4th GECF Summit in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on 22-24 November, convened under the invitation of His Excellency Evo Morales Ayma, President of Bolivia. The Summit was attended by Heads of State, Ministers from the twelve GECF member countries and seven observer countries who gathered to exchange views on developments in the international gas market, including trends and policies which influence gas markets and its overall role in the global energy mix.

The GECF also hosted the 1st GECF International Seminar held under the umbrella of the 4th GECF Summit with the theme of Natural Gas: The Fuel of Choice for Sustainable Development. Ministers, CEOs of national and international oil and gas companies, heads of international organisations, academia and gas industry analysts engaged in a constructive dialogue on the future of natural gas. Dr Sun Xiansheng delivered remarks addressing key challenges in the natural gas market and participated in discussions on short- and long-term prospects for the gas market outlook, the security of supply and demand with a focus on Latin America, and the role of gas in reaching sustainable development goals. Discussants noted the increasingly important role of gas as the fuel of choice for the future and mitigating carbon content as the demand for energy and economic development is expected to grow over the next decade.

The 4th GECF Gas Summit resulted in the adoption of the “Declaration of Santa Cruz de la Sierra” in agreement with the GECF and its member countries. The Declaration highlights the importance of gas in energy markets, the commitment of GECF member countries to sustainable natural gas resource development and enhancing the policies and regulations of global natural gas markets. For more information, please visit the GECF website.

JODI Information Seminar

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

JODI Information Seminar

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

The IEF participated in the ‘JODI Information Seminar’ which was held on 21 November 2017 on the sidelines of the GECF Summit in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. 

This event was inaugurated by the HE President Evo Morales of Plurinational State of Bolivia. Also by HE Luis Alberto Sánchez, Minister of Hydrocarbons of Bolivia. Also, by HE Dr Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). 

JODI partner organisations (IEA, OLADE, and OPEC) also attended the seminar demonstrating strong support to GECF and cooperation amongst the JODI Partners in advancing global energy data transparency.

The JODI Seminar gathered government officials, industry experts, and media to discuss the history of JODI since its inception in 2000 and the way forward. Speakers debated the challenges faced in data collection and shared solutions on improving the JODI Database to be more reliable, timely, and complete. It was highlighted that data transparency is paramount if we are to achieve energy transition and sustainable development goals, including the challenge of living up to SDG7, "ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all". During the seminar, HE Dr Adeli emphasised the need for reliable data to support short- and long-term gas market research and forecasts. 

The President of Bolivia, HE Evo Morales, highlighted that leaders need reliable data to make informed decisions on policies and investments that affect their citizens. He reinforced his strong support to JODI and saluted the collaborations between the JODI Partners and their member countries to improve global energy data transparency, as it relates to oil and gas. 

The JODI Information Seminar hosted by the GECF in Bolivia was in line with key actions stated in the JODI 5-Year Action Plan which calls for: 

• Raising awareness of the JODI platform and database
• Identifying and engaging champions for JODI

By putting the JODI 5-Year Action Plan into practice, JODI partners spare no efforts to meet with key stakeholders around the world to deliver JODI aspirations for: 

• Stronger commitment
• Well-trained professionals
• Stronger public engagement

The JODI Information Seminar presided over by a Head of State, HE President Evo Morales, was broadcasted on live news media outlets Bolivia and contributed to building public engagement with JODI to the highest levels.

JODI Information Session Live Broadcast on Bolivia TV

1st Conference on the water-energy-food nexus in the GCC between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

1st Conference on the water-energy-food nexus in the GCC between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Secretary General of the IEF, Dr Sun Xiansheng, was honoured to host HE Guido Landheer, Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations of the Netherlands, and Dutch delegation leader at the 1st Conference on the "Water, Energy, and Food Nexus" in the GCC, between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands on 16 November 2017. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia welcomed delegates and took part in the conference to enhance dialogue on sustainable synergies between water, energy, and food sectors with senior representatives from the public and private sector, as well as technology and research centres from the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries.  

The conference is part of a wider initiative of the Netherlands to structure collaboration with Saudi Arabia, as well as with other GCC countries, through a comprehensive dialogue on these sectors, turning challenges into opportunities and enhancing options for synergies and sustainable development. After Australia organised a similar initiative on the IEF platform in Riyadh on 16 April 2014, the outcomes of this second initiative by the Netherlands, serves to inform the IEF energy dialogue on key developments in this area and help advance a healthy functioning of codependent water, energy, and food sectors, in line with sustainable development, greenhouse gas emission, energy security, and transition goals. 

The full agenda, including backgrounds is available for download under key documents, along with speeches and presentations given below.

Welcome and opening statements:

• Mr Sami Mehaid, Senior Oil Market Analyst, OPEC Governor Office, Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia
• HE Guido Landheer, Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, the Netherlands, Dutch delegation leader
• HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum

Setting the scene "Small planet, big issues – water, energy and food" - Alexander Verbeek, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Stockholm International Water Institute, (SEI/SIWI) Sweden

Objective of this conference - Dr Hans van der Beek, Agricultural Counsellor for the GCC, Embassy of the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia

Presentation "Sabic’s sustainability highlights" - Pieter Smeets, SABIC, Saudi Arabia

Presentation "Preliminary results of energy, water and food in traditional and high-tech greenhouses" - Jouke Campen, Wageningen University & Research, on behalf of “Estidamah”, the Netherlands & Saudi Arabia

Panel session 1: Fostering sustainable synergies between water, energy and food

Keynotes

• David Wogan, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), Saudi Arabia
• Koen Wetser, Senior Researcher, WaterNexus, Wageningen UR, the Netherlands

Discussants

• Geoff Toms, Deltares, the Netherlands
• Jack Castelein, Almarai, Saudi Arabia
• Ahmed Al-Khowaiter, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia 
• Omar Ouda, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU), Saudi Arabia

Panel session 2: Perspectives from government, industry and knowledge centers on fostering sustainable synergies between water, energy and food

Keynotes

• Alexander Verbeek, SEI/SIWI, Sweden
• Khalil El Bakari, TNO, the Netherlands

Discussants

• Pieter Smeets, Sabic, Saudi Arabia
• Sami Mehaid, Senior Oil Market Analyst, OPEC Governor Office, Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia
• Bert Roukens, Energy Envoy of Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands
• Peter Prins, Netherlands Water Partnership, the Netherlands

Key Links

Agricultural Office of the Netherlands Report on the Fruitful 1st edition of Dutch-Saudi Water-Energy-Food Nexus Conference

Australian Council for Arab Relations - IEF "Food Energy Water Nexus" Forum 16 April 2016

IEF Lecture - World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2017 and World Oil Outlook (WOO) 2017

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IEF Lecture - World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2017 and World Oil Outlook (WOO) 2017

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The IEF was delighted to welcome Mr Tim Gould, Head of the Energy Supply Outlook Division (WEO) at the IEA and Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director of the Research Division at OPEC, who presented the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2017 and the World Oil Outlook (WOO) 2017 at IEF headquarters on 15 November 2017. The presentations can be downloaded below.

Tim Gould, Head of the Energy Supply Outlook Division (WEO) at the IEA, Paris, presented the 2017 edition of the Agency’s flagship publication the World Energy Outlook (official launch - 14 November). The WEO provides strategic insight on what today’s policy and investment decisions mean for long-term trends. Based on rigorous modelling across different scenarios, the WEO projections are used by public and private sector stakeholders as a framework for policy-making, planning and investment decisions, and to identify pathways to a sustainable energy future.

Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director of the Research Division at OPEC, Vienna, presented the 2017 World Oil Outlook (official launch - 7 November). The WOO provides an in-depth review and analysis of the global oil industry, and offers a thorough assessment of various sensitivity cases related to the economy, and supply and demand trends in the medium- and long-term. The WOO provides expert analysis of the many challenges and opportunities facing the global oil industry. It serves as an important reference tool, providing insights into the upstream and downstream, as well as issues related to costs, investments, and the potential impact of policies and new technologies.

7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable

Bangkok, Thailand

7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable

Bangkok, Thailand

The 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER7) took place in Bangkok, Thailand from 1-3 November 2017.

The Government of Thailand hosted this prestigious biennial event, which is a key feature of the global energy dialogue promoted under the neutral banner of the International Energy Forum. The Ministerial was co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and was attended by Ministers, Vice Ministers, heads of International Organisations, and Thought Leaders of the industry.

In previous AMER events, IEF Ministers have recognised their interdependence and placed an emphasis on the need for trust and dialogue in building and sustaining partnerships. AMER6 was convened between the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda (UNSDA) 2030 and the Paris Agreement in 2015 to discuss Asian energy market dynamics. This culminated in the endorsement of a proposal by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish an Asian Energy Efficiency Knowledge Sharing Framework under the IEF that has since been adopted by the 2nd G20 Energy Ministers Meeting (Beijing, June 2016) and the IEF15 Ministerial (Algiers, September 2016).

AMER7 built upon these outcomes to strengthen established partnerships and forge new bonds accordingly. This event ultimately underpins the development of the increasingly complex and dynamic relationships between energy producers and consumers in Asia and beyond.

The full agenda for the Ministerial is available for download below along with articles, speeches and presentations from the AMER7.

• ENERGY TRANSITION PATHWAY - A PERSPECTIVE FOR NATURAL GASBy HE Dr Mohammad bin Saleh Al Sada
  Minister of Energy & Industry
  State of Qatar
• JOIN HANDS IN ASIA, AND BEYOND - LET THE DIALOGUE EVOLVE INTO A CONVERSATION ON GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY AND TRANSITIONBy HE Dr Sun Xiansheng
  Secretary General
  International Energy Forum
• KOREA, PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF ENERGYBy HE Wonjoo Park
  Deputy Minister of Energy and Resources Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
  Republic of Korea
• THE INVESTMENT CONUNDRUMBy HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo
  Secretary General
  Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
• THE ENERGY TRANSITION AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES - ASIA-PACIFIC WILL USHER IN A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTUREBy HE Dr Shamshad Akhtar
  Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary
  United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP)
• ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES HAVE KEY ROLE IN ACCELERATING GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITIONBy Ms Rachel Kyte
  CEO and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General
  Sustainable Energy for All
• OAPEC KEEPS EYE ON OIL AND GAS MARKETSBy HE Abbas Ali Al-Naqi
  Secretary General
  Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
• DEVELOPING ASIA’S ENERGY INNOVATION OPPORTUNITYBy Dr Bambang Susantono
  Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development
  Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• OIL MARKETS:
  INVESTMENT AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN A WORLD IN TRANSITIONBy Dr Ivan Martén
  Senior Partner and Managing Director, Vice Chairman Energy Practice
  Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Welcoming remarks

• HE General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy, Thailand
• HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, United Arab Emirates
• HE Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India
• HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum

Inauguration Session

Welcoming and opening statement

• HE Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, Deputy Prime Minister, Thailand

Introductions and scene setting remarks

• HE General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy, Thailand
• HE Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and President of the OPEC Conference
• HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum

Keynote Speech

• HE Shamshad Akhtar, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
• Mr Bundit Limschoon, Secretary General, Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)

Plenary Session 1: Oil markets: Investment and security challenges in a world in transition

Chair's opening and scene setting remarks

• HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum

Ministerial Panel

• HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Bahrain
• HE Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, Minister to Hon'ble Prime Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs, Bangladesh
• HE Issam A Almarzooq, Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity & Water, Kuwait
• Mr Keisuke Sadamori, Director, Energy Markets and Security, International Energy Agency (IEA)
• Dr Ivan Marten, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Vice Chairman Energy Practice, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Plenary Session 2: Natural Gas: Overcoming market and policy hurdles to the golden age of gas

Chair's opening and scene setting remarks

• HE Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli, Secretary General, Gas Exporting Countries Forum

Ministerial Panel

• HE Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India
• HE Mohammad Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, Qatar
• HE Mohammad Yasmin Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry in the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam
• Mr Atsushi Taketani, Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
• Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Special Keynote address

• Khunying Thongtip Ratanarat, Member of Petroleum Institute of Thailand Foundation Board and Council of Trustees, and Independent Consultant in Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Business

Plenary Session 3: Disruptive Technologies and Energy Future: Impacts, Challenges and Preparation

Chair's opening and scene setting remarks

• HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry, United Arab Emirates

Ministerial Panel

• HE General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy, Thailand
• HE Han Shui, Vice Administrator, General Engineer, National Energy Administration, China
• HE Wonjoo Park, Deputy Minister for Energy & Resource, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea
• Mr Dae Kyeong Kim, Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Mr Ian Crosby, Head of Energy Productivity Sustainable Energy For All (SEforALL)

Plenary Session 4: From Vision to Action: Concluding statement, final remarks, and closing of the Ministerial

Concluding Statement delivered by AMER7 Chairman

• HE General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy, Thailand

Announcement of the Host and Co-Host, respectively, of the 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable

• Message from HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei on behalf of the Host of the 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
• Message from HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General IEF on behalf of the International Energy Forum

Watch Seventh Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable Highlights on IEF TV

Previous Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtables

• 6th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
  8-10 November 2015, Doha, Qatar
• 5th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
  11-13 September 2013, Seoul, Korea
• 4th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
  18 April 2011, Kuwait City, Kuwait
• 3rd Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
  25-27 April 2009, Tokyo, Japan
• 2nd Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
  2 May 2007, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IEF Lecture - IEEJ Energy Outlook 2018 - Prospects and Challenges Toward 2050

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IEF Lecture - IEEJ Energy Outlook 2018 - Prospects and Challenges Toward 2050

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The IEF Secretary General was honoured to welcome Professor Masakazu Toyoda, CEO and the Chairman of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) to the IEF headquarters today to present an IEF Lecture based on the recently released "IEEJ Energy Outlook 2018 - Prospects and Challenges Toward 2050". 

Professor Toyoda’s presentation (available for download below) shared views on topics ranging from current market trends, to scenarios for energy demand and potential future energy market pathways. The potential for peak oil demand, and long-term (toward 2050) climate change issues were also addressed during the lecture.

The IEEJ outlook foresees that based on current energy market trends, energy demand will increase and its centre of gravity will shift towards Southern Asia, with two thirds of the growth expected to come from non-OECD Asian countries. The IEEJ expects that three quarters of the demand will be accounted for by electricity generation and transportation fuels. The high dependence on fossil fuels is expected to continue with natural gas projected to account for 60% of fossil fuel growth. Carbon emissions are projected to increase 34% by 2050.

Professor Toyoda noted that one IEEJ study indicates the potential for new technologies to bring about a 13% reduction in energy consumption by 2050. Although this scenario implies that the share of fossil fuels in the mix would drop to 68% compared with 78% in the reference scenario, it still indicates an expectation of on-going high-level dependence on fossil fuels.

In the quest to deliver a low-carbon future, Professor Toyoda noted that the key to successful cost reduction, development and deployment of innovative technologies is international cooperation.

Key Links

• IEEJ Website

JODI Inter-Secretariat Meeting - October 2017

London, UK

JODI Inter-Secretariat Meeting - October 2017

London, UK

The IEF chaired an Inter Secretariat Meeting of JODI partner organisations including APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, IEF, OPEC, and UNSD in London on 12 October 2017. 

The meeting, held following the 13th International JODI Conference held on 10-11 October and focused on reviewing progress and action plans regarding the following:

• Technical discussion to introduce new data consolidation platform and mechanism for a more efficient operation of data collections.
• Feedback from the 13th International JODI Conference held few days earlier on 10-11 October 2017;
• Feedback from having JODI data starting to appear on the electronic platforms of data re-distribution agencies that was announced during the JODI Conference held few days earlier;
• Plans for future JODI Seminars and Capacity Building Workshops during 2018;
• Update on new JODI website and database functionality;
• Deliberate ways how to take advantage of improving cooperation data from regions (AFREC, OAPEC, GCC Stat, etc.)

The JODI partners deliberated at length the feedback from the JODI conference just held in London ahead of this meeting and was attended by more than 100 experts, and how the JODI partners can take this insights and recommendations forward to strengthen the JODI initiative.

The JODI partners discussed feedback from having JODI data starting to appear on (Argus, Bloomberg & Thomson Reuters) data re-distribution platforms that was announced during the JODI Conference held few days earlier. JODI partners agree that this was a major milestone for JODI that should be alluded. Bloomberg was invited to the meeting so they explain further how JODI data appear on their platform.

The Partners discussed option and plans to hold future JODI Seminars and Capacity Building Workshops during 2018, while the IEF gave an update on recently updated JODI website and database functionality.

JODI partners deliberated ways how to take advantage of improving cooperation with other energy regional (AFREC, OAPEC, GCC Stat, etc.)

Previous Inter-Secretariat Meetings

• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - March 2017
  13-14 March 2017, Vienna, Austria
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - December 2016
  15-16 December 2016, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - July 2016
  13-15 July 2016, Vienna, Austria
• Inter Secretariat Meeting Of JODI Partners - February 2016
  3-4 February 2016, London, United Kingdom
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - September 2015
  17-18 September 2015, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2014
  20 October 2014, Vienna, Austria
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - July 2014
  7-8 July 2014, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - March 2014
  13 March 2014, Tokyo, Japan
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2013
  3-4 October 2013, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - June 2013
  3 June 2013, Bali, Indonesia

13th International JODI Conference (IJC 13) and Exhibition

London, United Kingdom

13th International JODI Conference (IJC 13) and Exhibition

London, United Kingdom

The 13th International JODI conference was held in London, UK on 10 & 11 October 2017. The conference was generously hosted by the British Government and organised by the International Energy Forum in corporation with other JODI partners (APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, OLADE, OPEC, and UNSD).

The Conference was opened by HE Richard Harrington, UK Minister for Energy and Industry for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who emphasised the importance of JODI and for need for reliable, complete, and timely energy data to support decision making.

The conference convened more than 100 actors and stakeholders at various stages of the JODI data supply chain ranging from:

• the energy companies that collect the source data
• the national administrations responsible for JODI data reporting
• the JODI Partners responsible for data collation
• academia
• data re-distribution agencies
• the data users that monitor market trends and disseminate JODI data through their analyses and forecasts to a wider audience.

Participants took note on the progress made on JODI since the last JODI conference (IJC 12) held in India in 2015, and gave insights and suggestions regarding data quality, data reporting mechanism, capacity building efforts, data-user engagement, JODI brand awareness, and enhanced engagement with other entities. 

Participants highlighted the need to continue to solidify knowledge sharing of good practices among the different stakeholders, and to strengthen interaction between data providers, JODI Partners, data users, academia, and analytical community. 

Participants stressed the need to continue improving the data availability and coverage in new regions, but without comprising the quality of JODI data while addressing challenges to provide sustainable, timely and complete monthly energy data. 

Participants saluted JODI Partners’ efforts to hold Capacity Business Workshops in key regions around the world as part of this effort, and the fact that JODI data can now be viewed from different major Data Re-Distribution Agencies (Argus, Bloomberg, and Thomson Reuters) in line with directions received from industry and leaders. They also appreciated that JODI visibility and accessibility will be greatly improved and extended per the recommendation from the IJC 12.

Previous International JODI Conferences

• 12th International JODI Conference
  8-10 April 2015, New Delhi, India
• 8th International JODI Conference
  10-11 October 2011, Beijing, China
• 7th International JODI Conference
  4-5 June 2009, Quito, Ecuador

26th session of UNECE Committee on Sustainable Energy

Geneva, Switzerland

26th session of UNECE Committee on Sustainable Energy

Geneva, Switzerland

IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng, participated in the UNECE 26th Session of Committee on Sustainable Energy at its headquarter in Geneva on 26-28 September 2017, and delivered a keynote speech during the opening. This high-level UNECE event opened by UNECE Executive Secretary, attracted experts from government and energy industry.

In the keynote address, Dr Sun elaborated on IEF role and efforts on fostering greater mutual understanding and awareness of common energy interests in line with UN Sustainable Development SDG. He also addressed the achievements by the IEF and its Member Countries on fulfilling key functions to strengthen energy security along energy transition pathways.

Dr Sun also had a bilateral meeting with HE Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary, and discussed the future potential cooperation between the UNECE and the IEF.

Dr Sun's speech and presentation entitled "Energy transition and the role of international and regional cooperation" is available for download below.

Key Links

• UNECE
• 26th Session of Committee on Sustainable Energy
• HE Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary
• UN Sustainable Development SDG

JODI Inter-Secretariat Meeting - June 2017

New York, USA

JODI Inter-Secretariat Meeting - June 2017

New York, USA

The IEF chaired an Inter Secretariat Meeting of JODI partner organisations including APEC, IEA, IEF, OLADE, OPEC, and UNSD in the UNSD Headquarters in New York on 29-30 June 2017. 

The meeting, hosted by UNSD at their Headquarters in New York focused on reviewing progress and action plans in regard to the following:

• Participation Assessment of the JODI-Oil and JODI-Gas World Databases;
• Plan to enhance the visibility of JODI through the publication of JODI data on the electronic platforms of data re-distribution agencies during the next JODI Conference in October 2017
• G20 Ministers feedback on JODI and data transparency;
• Feedback from the last JODI Workshop for Africa held in Tunisia on April 2017
• Feedback from attending the EIA Energy Conference in Washington DC on 27-28 June 2017.
• Ideas for future capacity-building workshops and user seminars
• Discussion on the plans to hold the 13th International JODI Conference in London on 10-11 October 2017;
• Update on new JODI website and database functionality

The IEF shared the results of the last JODI Workshop for Africa region held in Tunisia on 11-13 April 2017 back-to-back with the 3rd IEF-OFID Symposium on Energy Poverty, which demonstrated a clear link between energy data transparency and efforts to alleviate energy poverty in Africa.  It was highlighted that this Workshop that was held in cooperation with the African Energy Commission (AFREC), and with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) had more than 60 attendees form more than 30 African countries was the largest JODI Workshop ever held. The IEF thanked the JODI partners for their support to hold this milestone Workshop in this key region.

The IEF, the IEA, and OPEC gave Feedback from attending recently the EIA Energy Conference in Washington DC on 27-28 June 2017 where JODI was featured in the Conference and how this was a great opportunity to engage with users and experts etc. in line with the JODI Action plan.

The IEF briefed the Partners on progress being made to have JODI data to appear at Data Redistribution Agencies such as (Argus, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, etc.) soon. It was agreed to launch this during the upcoming JODI Conference in London on October 2017.

The Partners discussed the plans to hold the JODI Conference in London on 10-11 October 2017, theme, sessions, speakers, invitations, etc. It was agreed that holding the 13th JODI international conference in London will be a great opportunity to deepen engagement with stakeholder (users / analysts / providers of data / industry) in support of the ongoing development of the JODI.

• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - March 2017
  13-14 March 2017, Vienna, Austria
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - December 2016
  15-16 December 2016, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - July 2016
  13-15 July 2016, Vienna, Austria
• Inter Secretariat Meeting Of JODI Partners - February 2016
  3-4 February 2016, London, United Kingdom
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - September 2015
  17-18 September 2015, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2014
  20 October 2014, Vienna, Austria
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - July 2014
  7-8 July 2014, Paris, France
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - March 2014
  13 March 2014, Tokyo, Japan
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - October 2013
  3-4 October 2013, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
• JODI Inter-secretariat meeting - June 2013
  3 June 2013, Bali, Indonesia

IEA's 2nd Global Conference on Energy Efficiency

Paris, France

IEA's 2nd Global Conference on Energy Efficiency

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.

Key Links

• IEA 2nd Global Conference on Energy Efficiency Webpage

Energy Security, Transition, and Dialogue - CSIS

Washington DC, USA

Energy Security, Transition, and Dialogue - CSIS

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.

Key Links

• CSIS Website