Japan's Gas Industry Comes Together to Set Goals for World Gas Conference 2015
TOKYO, February 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
The 26th World Gas Conference, which takes place in Paris between 1-5 June 2015, today brings together an influential cross section of the Japanese energy sector to set out its aspirations for future gas development in Japan.
Leading Japanese gas companies and the International Gas Union (IGU) are bringing together a group of more than 70 Japanese energy stakeholders to discuss the country's contribution to the largest oil and gas sector summit in the world this year.
Jerome Ferrier, President of the IGU and Daniel Paccoud, Chairman of the World Gas Conference 2015 Organisation Committee will welcome Mr Nobuo Tanaka, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, who will provide an overview of his perspectives on the role that gas can play as part of an integrated energy mix, not only in Japan, but in Asia more widely.
Japan stands at the forefront of the Asian natural gas sector, with an increasing role as a major importer of natural gas as part of an increasingly diversified energy mix over recent years. According to statistics from the International Energy Agency, Japan is now the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer, reflecting the growing role natural gas plays in meeting the country's energy demand. From providing 19% of total primary consumption in 2010, gas delivered 22% of Japan's energy needs in 2013.
Japan will play a central role in some of the conference's most ambitious and wide-ranging debates. The 2050 prospective study session, co-chaired by Mr Tanaka, will focus on the place of natural gas in the future energy mix and how to promote innovative usage in the long term. Another key session, on day two, is the Life Cycle Assessment session co-chaired by Satoshi Yoshida, Tokyo Gas Company, which will assess the environmental performance of natural gas in decision making.
INPEX Corporation is a major sponsor of the 26th World Gas Conference, reflecting the increasing importance to its overall energy portfolio.
Nobuo Tanaka, Institute of Energy Economics, said:
"It is essential that Japan looks to the future and together with industry leaders understands the impact that global energy issues have on the challenges that our nation faces.
"The place of natural gas in the future energy mix will depend on increased innovation and technological development, both of which Japan is perfectly placed to lead. Japan is one of the major exporters of energy-sector capital equipment and has a strong energy research and development (R&D) programme, which gains critical support from government. This programme pursues energy efficiency measures domestically to increase the country's energy security and to reduce environmental impact. Natural gas, and the benefits it brings to these two core metrics, reinforces the resource's potential here in Japan.
"We must continue the progress we have made in Japan and work with our partners to build gas further into Asia's integrated energy mix in the future. Today's meeting, which sets the tone for Japan's engagement at the World Gas Conference, is an important waypoint as we, and our colleagues across the global industry, embark on a year of unprecedented importance."
Jerome Ferrier, President of the IGU, added:
"2015 is a pivotal year for natural gas and for the global energy sector more widely. The convergence of falling capital expenditure, driven in part by price volatility in the oil markets, with rising operational costs and strengthening climate pressures, is having a potentially profound impact on the future direction of our industry. It is therefore essential that we bring together the very best of our industry to identify and deliver a consensus on how our sector can play a meaningful role in the world's future development objectives.
"I am particularly proud, as a member of the French energy industry, that these vital discussions will be taking place in Paris, with the World Gas Conference serving as a powerful prelude to the climate talks taking place at COP 21 in December. The opportunity in front of us is one that we must seize to the fullest possible extent."
Daniel Paccoud, Chairman of the World Gas Conference 2015 Organisation Committee, concluded:
"More than 4,000 people will come together in Paris to reinforce the role that natural gas can play as a progressive fuel for the future. Both we, as an industry, and our partners believe strongly in the potential that gas has to enable the world to transition to a lower carbon economy, and the World Gas Conference will play an important role in outlining the way that we can facilitate that change."
The World Gas Conference, which takes place between 1-5 June in Paris, France, will see more than 4,000 conference delegates and upwards of 10,000 exhibition visitors come together to debate the role that gas will play in meeting the world's future energy needs. Further information can be found at http://www.wgc2015.org
Share this article