Executive Panel 3: The Future of Exploration: Sustainability and Success for the Next Decade
As global efforts intensify towards sustainable energy sources, the role of oil and gas in the future energy landscape is increasingly questioned. When we consider sustainable energy, renewables immediately come to mind. Where do renewables stand today amidst the intensifying global energy transition?
Sustainable exploration involves various internal and external factors. Externally, there is a growing push towards sustainable energy sources driven by changes in consumer behaviour, government policies on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), technological advancements, energy accessibility, and concerns about energy affordability. Internally, there is a need to balance current stakeholder expectations with future demands, and to navigate technological transformations and enhancements.
Agile exploration requires addressing subsurface capabilities and capacities to adapt to future needs. The future of energy will integrate fossil fuels like oil and gas with renewables such as hydrogen and geothermal energy. This integration necessitates essential skill sets and technologies within the exploration geoscience workforce, both now and in the future. It is crucial to assess how these skill sets have evolved, and which ones remain fundamental.
This panel will explore these critical issues shaping the future energy landscape and chart pathways towards sustainable exploration and energy security.