Energy is essential for sustainable development in the developing world. It is impossible to achieve sustainable economic growth and eradicate poverty without access to cost-effective, reliable and affordable energy. Therefore, meeting energy demand while addressing potential climate change issues presents challenges and opportunities for the oil industry. Saudi Aramco prides itself on its history as a reliable supplier of energy. We will continue our legacy as a major provider of affordable oil for future generations.

We are aware that the science of climate change is unsettled. The debate over natural and anthropogenic influences on future atmospheric earth temperatures will continue for years to come.

The challenge we face in this uncertain environment is how to address near- and long-term concerns while continuing to provide affordable and reliable oil to meet the growing need for sustainable development. We believe it is only through technology development that we can meet these challenges. Saudi Aramco is participating in several research and technology programs to improve combustion efficiency, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and implement carbon management. We also need to develop cleaner products to improve urban air quality. This is in addition to our ongoing participation in the UNFCCC and Kyoto discussions.

The call for this symposium stems from our understanding at Saudi Aramco that as a major source of global energy supplies, the petroleum industry should play a leading role in developing and implementing technological solutions to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions. This is a major challenge which requires the synergetic partnership of all stake holders in the petroleum industry as well as research and international organizations involved in greenhouse gases emissions mitigation. This symposium seeks to raise regional awareness of carbon management challenges and viable carbon dioxide mitigation options. It is imperative that creative talents from around the world partner to address this global challenge.

By hosting this symposium on carbon management, in the heartland of the world’s petroleum activity, Saudi Aramco seeks to bring together petroleum producers, national and international oil company representatives, officials from organizations dealing with global warming, and academic and research organizations playing pioneering roles in developing carbon management technology solutions. Participants will discuss:

• The regulatory, environmental and economic aspects of carbon management
• The latest advances in technologies targeting carbon dioxide capture from fixed and mobile sources
• Carbon dioxide sequestration and its greater utilization in Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery (EOR & EGR)

Through these and other special topics, keynote speeches and panel discussions, the symposium will focus on leveraging these interactions to formulate a common vision and path forward for the petroleum industry to address carbon management challenges and to convert carbon dioxide emissions concerns into new and limitless opportunities.

N. A. Al-Nasr
Carbon Management Symposium Chairman &
Executive Director - Engineering Services, Saudi Aramco