Programme

Geology of the Future

FORESIGHT SERIES
Congress Centre, Conference Hall B1

The globalization of commodities markets, economic sanctions, the intensive development of the IT industry, and remote exploration techniques all mean that a new approach towards long-term planning is required in the geology sector. Geology is a strategically important sector for Russia, and its development is directly linked to the safeguarding of state interests. Moreover, geology is one of the most knowledge-driven parts of the economy, where there is high demand for innovation. The achievements of geology – the discovery and subsequent development of new oil or gas fields – are becoming the drivers of economic growth both regionally and countrywide. It is for this reason that it is now so important to form a consolidated view of the long-term outlook for development, not only taking into consideration the requirements of the sector itself, but also meeting the needs of related industries, as well as those of the country’s development strategy. To what extent will the world be dependent on energy by 2050? What trends will have an influence on the geology of the future? What kinds of scenarios for the development of related sectors should be taken into account even today, in order to effectively plan long-term measures to maintain and increase the country’s mineral resource base?

Moderator:
Andrei Bystritsky , Chairman of the Board, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Panellists
James Burkhard , Vice President, Head of Oil Market Research, IHS Energy
Sergey Donskoy , Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Roman Panov , Chief Executive Officer, Rosgeologia
Amir Hossein Zamani Nia , Deputy Petroleum Minister for International and Commerce Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Broadcast

Key moments

When several endeavours that involve automation and large volumes of information are undertaken at once, the world is rather difficult to predict.
Sergey Donskoy
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Geology will have a rather large field of activity in the future.
Sergey Donskoy
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Developing the geology sector is the key factor in successfully implementing strategic national projects. This sector is developing in close connection with the global processes that are changing today’s world.
Roman Panov
Chief Executive Officer, Rosgeologia
Russia’s geology sector must be one of the most cutting-edge in the world in being provided with domestically produced technologies, R&D, and opportunities for introducing them on to Russia’s own platforms.
Roman Panov
Chief Executive Officer, Rosgeologia
Certainly, the crucial factor is human capital, people who will implement the tasks that are set. Today, we must focus particularly on this element and invest in the people who shape the science.
Roman Panov
Chief Executive Officer, Rosgeologia
The starting point for discussing the future is the current energy mix. The share of fossil fuels in the global mix has been remarkably steady at 80% for decades.
James Burkhard
Vice President, Head of Oil Market Research, IHS Energy
Changes in working age population will demand more energy. Most of the growth in working age population is in Africa and India.
James Burkhard
Vice President, Head of Oil Market Research, IHS Energy
In this rapidly changing world, production technologies, predicted shares of crude minerals, and certainly the role of geology as an area of knowledge are transforming. This is both clear and natural.
Sergey Donskoy
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation