Energy

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

Print this page Save as PDF

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.

Cleaner energy

Increased utilisation of cleaner energy sources and energy carriers are seen as part of the solution to international challenges related to securing energy supplies, and reducing CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts of the growing international energy consumption.

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.