Update from the National Petroleum Council’s September meeting
The National Petroleum Council (NPC) is a federal advisory committee to the US Secretary of Energy.
The sole purpose of the NPC is to advise, inform and make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy, at his request, on matters pertaining to oil and natural gas or to the oil and gas industries.
At its September meeting, the NPC discussed the progress of its two ongoing studies. The first study examines future transportation fuels prospects through 2035, with views to 2050, for auto, truck, air, rail and waterborne transport. Specifically, the study is designed to:
• Address fuel demand, supply, infrastructure and technology.
• Describe accelerated technology pathways to improved fuel efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and deployment of alternative fuels at scale. The hope is that the study will deliver insights into potential policy options and investments which industry and government can take to accelerate the acceptance of alternative fuels, engines and vehicles.
• Describe actions industry and government can take to stimulate the technological advances and market conditions needed to reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions in the US transportation sector by 50% by 2050 relative to 2005 levels, while enhancing the nation’s energy security and economic prosperity. The study is just beginning its analytical phase, while continuing to recruit a diverse group of study participants.
The National Petroleum Council also heard a report on the progress of its study on the prudent development of North American natural gas and oil resources. Broadly, the study will:
• Assess the North American natural gas and oil conventional and unconventional resource base.
• Assess the productive capacity of the resource base through 2035; and provide views to 2050.
• Explain the role of technology in making this resource producible.
• Describe demand for natural gas in the U.S. through 2035; and provide views to
2050.
• Identify how increased use of natural gas could result in lower greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors of the economy, including power generation and transportation.
• Describe the operating practices of the industry and the technology used to minimize impacts on the environment.
• Develop policy options that will allow for the prudent development of these resources with the objectives of protecting the environment, sustaining economic growth and competitiveness, and promoting energy security.
A study team of several hundred experts has been assembled and has started the analytical phase of the study. The approach is expressly designed to be inclusive by engaging and involving a broad and diverse group of opinion leaders and interested parties from within and outside the NPC.
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