Strategic Programme

Underground natural gas storage represents a fundamental element for the balance, management and satisfaction of gas demand. Its relevance is also strategic in the energy transition, since underground storages may be converted for future uses with green gases such as hydrogen and biomethane. Hear industry experts discuss these themes further in this strategic session.

With a view to diversification and pursuit of secure, CO2 free energy sources, the geothermal sector is a natural choice for Oil & Gas players as they can leverage their wealth of experience in developing and scaling-up game-changing technologies from the hydrocarbons industry within the geothermal sector. Geothermal and upstream Oil & Gas developments share in fact many similarities and Oil & Gas technology, knowledge and skills are considered crucial to expand the geothermal industry.
In this strategic session, Oil & Gas experts, geothermal players and developers, as well as other stakeholders, will discuss technical challenges, solutions and risks related to development of medium-high enthalpy geothermal projects and to the repurposing of Oil & Gas wells for geothermal energy production and their vision on the role of the Oil & Gas industry to rapidly scale up a new generation of geothermal power and to unlock the full potential of geothermal.

CCUS is one of the technologies that are crucial to reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.  Decarbonisation of the industry is a multi-facetted problem that trades off various technologies (e.g. CCUS vs H2) and need for improved energy efficiency in the system (e.g. process efficiency vs power management (grid, renewable, batteries)). Technological expertise and advancement will need to support Europe’s ambitious deployment goals in the Industrial Carbon Management proposal to reduce emissions with 90% by 2040. 
In this panel session, industry experts discuss their vision of successful CCUS technology deployment while also acknowledging challenges to be overcome, including challenges related to current pipeline network conversion for CO2 transport and new onshore pipeline regulation. CCUS development is critically dependent on the combined development of better capture technology, robust transport solutions considering hub developments, overcoming at-scale CO2 injection in a variety subsurface stores, and developing international standards and policies to support robust business models. Decarbonisation efforts and In the session challenges along the decarbonisation of the classical HC value chain will also be discussed.

Reducing and removing carbon emissions is essential for the Oil & Gas sector to support the world's move to a net-zero greenhouse gas emission future in line with the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter signed by 50 O&G companies and announced during the last COP 28 UAE. Technology and Innovation expertise in the Oil & Gas sector will need to support ambitious deployment goals, from upstream to downstream, passing through midstream. R&D will play a key role in providing business cost - time efficient technologies.
Decarbonisation of the industry requires a fast-track approach and parallel development and implementation of multiple technologies (e.g. low-carbon fuels, CCUS, negative emissions technologies, digital fast track technologies, advanced gas processing systems and infrastructures, renewables) coupled with improved energy efficiency in the systems. 
In this strategic session, industry experts discuss their vision of the current technologies deployment, in conjunction with the associated challenges to overcome.

In an era where innovation is both an imperative and a competitive edge, this session aims to dive into the models adopted to develop research and implement technology transfer in the effort to reshape the Energy industry. Join us as we bring experts from diverse backgrounds together to discuss the latest challenges and opportunities within the realms of technology, research, and development. Through their expertise, insights, and experiences, our  panelists will provide a comprehensive view of the ever-evolving research landscape and its impact on various sectors. Breakthroughs and technology applications in energy generation, resource exploration, extraction, and environmental management will be addressed.

During this informal networking session, some examples will be put forward of petroleum-related curriculum that have adapted to the evolving needs of the energy world in Europe. For the first time, European energy faculties will have a common place to exchange best practice about the transformative journey undergone by geo-energies programmes, together with Industry experts and the students’ future employers.

Hydrogen, together with renewable sources and natural gas, plays a key role in decarbonization and eco-sustainable development. This is because hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel but is known as an energy carrier.
Forecasting 2050 H2 development scenarios, the session will address technical and non-technical issues and the challenges for hydrogen infrastructures, which imply development or repurposing/conversion (pipelines, compression plants, measuring devices, separation systems, UHS, treatment plants).
Special focus will be placed on short and long-term demand for hydrogen storage linked to the short and long-term development of  electrical/renewable energy and the need for a regulatory/legislative framework for H2 transport and storage will be discussed. Eventually, the Hydrogen Business Model will be debated.

---