Speeches 2004

Securing the promise of natural gas

22/05/2004

Jeroen van der Veer, Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors, Royal Dutch/Shell Group

Jeroen van der Veer, Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors, Royal Dutch/Shell Group

The world requires growing supplies of natural gas to meet expanding energy needs securely and sustainably. This will depend on a rapid increase in the scale and scope of the international gas trade. Reserves are abundant and the industry is cutting costs across the delivery chain. But this expansion will present great challenges for companies and governments, and will drive fundamental changes in an increasingly complex and demanding business. Resource holders and investors will continue to require long-term sales and secure market frameworks to justify costly and difficult projects. The companies that drive this expansion must be financially strong and have wide capabilities- including a commitment to meeting environmental and social responsibilities.

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