While global energy consumption is set to increase, driven forward by a combination of economic expansion and population growth, the industry had sharpened its focus on reducing pollution and protecting the environment, said an industry expert.

The key role earmarked for innovation and technology in making the global energy industry more efficient and cost effective in an increasingly competitive climate is one of several topics explored by Ali Rashid Al Jarwan, CEO, Dragon Oil, a subsidiary of Dubai’s Emirates National Oil Company, in a wide-ranging interview he gave recently to Oxford Business Group’s online broadcasting channel, Global Platform.

“In the future, sulphur diesel will be eliminated. That’s a really good step. There will be more demand from the environmental point of view,” he said.

Al Jarwan added that the natural gas segment, in particular, held significant potential for growth now that stronger network systems were up and running in key importing countries.

“The liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas transportation is improving, and you can see that demand for these two products is being maintained - guaranteed almost -because it is a direct relationship between gas and power generation,” he explained.“This will continue, and it may grow.”

Looking ahead, Al Jarwan said that the competitive operating environment was helping to shape the future of the industry in a positive way across the segments, including the renewable components.

“We are finding alternative solutions - cost effective solutions - and that’s innovation,” he said. “You will find they’re emphasising alternative solutions in exploration, in seismic, in drilling, in collection, maintenance, all segments of the operation.”

Marc-André de Blois, OBG’s Director of PR and Video Content, said the interview with Al Jarwan served as a reminder that while Dubai has successfully diversified its economy, the emirate continues to operate as a hub for oil and gas trade.

“These are times of heightened activity for Dubai’s oil and gas industry as it positions itself to play a key part in meeting rising demand for energy and refined products in emerging economies across Asia and the Middle East, while also accommodating higher levels of consumption at home during Expo 2020,” he said. “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to offer our subscribers such a timely insight into this important element of Dubai’s economy.” – TradeArabia News Service