The role of gas in a carbon-neutral energy mix By Marcel
Marcel Hoenderdos (EBN) and Dimitri Schildmeijer
rights given to them by society,” Scott stated. It
Hoenderdos and
(WPNT) are members of the Marketing and
wants to engage with all stakeholders as early as
Dimitri Schildmeijer
Communications Committee. This committee
possible and do so in an open, transparent and
looks at the role of communications in engaging
respectful manner. The Canadian-owned company
stakeholders on new building projects,
operates 100 wells in the Netherlands alone. And
sustainability, clean air and innovation. Marcel
today, the company is asking the Dutch
and Dimitri chair the Committee's Study Group
government for fiscal reform. Vermilion believes
on Public Acceptance of Gas Projects.
the local jurisdictions should receive a share of
At the European Autumn Gas Conference on Public Acceptance and Advocacy (The Hague, November 2016) Marcel Hoenderdos organised
exchange for hosting the activity. UK Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) Director
a panel. Marcel is the Communications Director
Corin Taylor talked about lessons learned from
of EBN, the Dutch state-owned participation
his hard-fought battles over shale gas in the
company and a partner in every oil and gas
UK. For him, a future role for onshore gas starts
project in the Netherlands. The panel was
with a changing narrative on the role of gas:
moderated by Dimitri.
“Gas is vital for our lives. But local gas
The premise of the panel was that the certi x From left to right: Scott Seatter (Vermilion), Corin Taylor (UK Onshore Oil and Gas), Paul Stamsnijder (The Reputation Group), Thijs Starink (EBN) and moderator Dimitri Schildmeijer (WPNT) at the European Autumn Gas Conference in November 2016 in The Hague.
the revenue generated from gas developments in
production also means less imports. Gas can
tude of gas as part of a sustainable energy future
mean green gas and low-carbon solutions like
is not a given and needs to be earned. Marcel
hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. By
and Dimitri invited four speakers in a round
reframing the narrative on gas, you can start to
table discussion to further explore how the
reinvent your relationship with society.” Corin
sector can reinvent its relationship with society.
also provided advice on engaging communities
Panel member Scott Seatter, Managing Director of Vermilion Energy Netherlands BV,
to get buy-in for gas projects: ◆ Focus on creating (economic) value for local
believes there is a future for onshore gas produc
communities. For example, make sure you
tion in the Netherlands. The starting point is the
hire a lot of local people as employees or
licence to operate. “Companies have only the
contractors. They carry a lot of credibility. ◆ Make transparency the good practice – for example, be honest and open about the chemicals you use and the environmental impact you have. Be ready to change the project based on feedback. ◆ Work very hard to minimise risk and the worry about risk. For example, UKOOG invested in designing a brand new insurance scheme to reassure citizens that any damage as a result of the wells – now or in the future – is covered.
88 T h e r o l e o f g a s i n a c a r b o n - n e u t r a l e n e r g y m i x
