Natural gas as the fuel of the future: how will technology influence this transition? By Cynthia Silveira
What is the impact of the current structural
where prices have decreased and the consumer
and Jorge Delmonte
changes in the oil and gas industry on gas
market sees ever-increasing demand. Inter
operations? How can technology contribute to
national Energy Agency (IEA) statistics showed
reducing costs and bring competitiveness to
a 5.8% increase in gross consumption of nat
companies in a low oil price scenario? In what
ural gas by OECD countries in 2016 compared
way can initiatives in research, development
to 2015.
and innovation contribute to the industry’s
In Brazil, the discussion is crossing lines,
sustainability in a renewed market context?
integrating several topics across production,
Moreover, and most importantly, how can
exploration and transportation, among other
natural gas make this transition for the use
relevant matters in the gas sector. Profound
of renewable energies, becoming the energy
changes are ongoing in the Brazilian market,
source that will be the fuel of the future for
as the country’s main oil and gas producing
all societies?
company, Petrobras, is divesting its assets in
The 2017 edition of the International Gas
gas pipeline infrastructure, distribution, gas
Research Conference (IGRC) will shed light on
power generation and regas facilities. This
this important discussion, under its main theme
situation will impose changes in the gas
‘Natural Gas: Catalysing the Future’. The motto
regulatory framework in several areas of
was chosen to reinforce the questions raised and will provide a deep reflection about the future of the natural gas industry, one in which gas companies will need to redefine their models, methods, products and most signifi cantly to become even more competitive through cost reductions and with the help of technology. As a result of the COP 21 climate conference held in Paris last year, an impressive number of countries committed to reduce their green house gas emissions, and natural gas is a fuel well adapted to help them meet their targets. Natural gas infrastructure requires massive investments while consumers are increasingly looking for flexibility and the option to choose their own supplier. Technology is the key to finding solutions to overcome the challenges in a new environment,
56 N a t u r a l g a s a s t h e f u e l o f t h e f u t u r e : h o w w i l l t e c h n o l o g y i n f l u e n c e t h i s t r a n s i t i o n ?
