Energy

This research programme is driven by security of energy supply, concern for climate change and demands for economic growth, sustainability and risk management.

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Fossil energy sources will retain their primacy, but demands for security of supply will encourage us away from reliance on a single source and to consider new energy carriers such as hydrogen.

Access to easily produced oil and gas is declining, so that deep waters and remote areas will become more and more important and demand new technological solutions. Carbon capture and storage, renewable energy and hydrogen all show promise, but we must also balance environmental, social and economic values.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen as an energy carrier can, in the long term, contribute significantly to the diversifcation of energy sources and to the development of sustainable alternatives to fossil energy sources like oil and gas, and hence contribute to securing national energy supplies. Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources and from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage can contribute to emission reductions. Hydrogen, particularly when used in fuel cells, have the potential to contribute to reduced environmental loads from the transport sector.

Climate change management

CO2 capture and storage in geological formations (CCS) can provide a significant option to minimizing human-induced climate change and acidification of surface waters in a world where economic vitality will depend on fossil fuels for the next decades.

Remote natural gas potential

An increasing amount of the world's unexploited natural gas resources are located offshore, far from existing infrastructure and the markets. New or improved methods for production and transport are needed to make these resources economically attractive.

Innovative solutions to the hydrocarbon sector

Over the years, considerable effort has been made in order to reduce risk and secure profits in the petroleum industry. Nevertheless, underestimation or insufficient control of the risks occurs frequently, which result in cost and time overruns.

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