Speeches 2005

Delivering downstream profitability in changing markets

05/04/2005

Speech given by Rob Routs, Executive Director Downstream (Oil Products & Chemicals) and a Managing Director Royal Dutch Petroleum Company to the MPGC conference, Dubai, 5 April 2005

Speech given by Rob Routs, Executive Director Downstream (Oil Products & Chemicals) and a Managing Director Royal Dutch Petroleum Company to the MPGC conference, Dubai, 5 April 2005

Rapidly growing demand and high oil prices reflect profound changes in global oil markets. Shells latest planning scenarios focus on the complex trade offs between three societal objectives- efficiency, social cohesion and security. Alternative approaches could produce very different rates of economic growth and patterns of energy consumption, although the major emerging economies- such as China and India- will play an increasingly important role in all cases. Supplying expanding energy needs will require sustained investment in increasingly complex projects, utilising innovatory technologies. Refiners will also have to deal with other changes- in crude supply, the cut of the barrel and fuel specifications. Tackling environmental challenges, such as climate change, will require continuing advances in vehicles and fuels. Shell is transforming its structure and refocusing its portfolio to meet these new challenges.

Delivering downstream profitability in changing markets (PDF, 228 KB) - opens in new window