Oil Companies Discuss Energy Challenges

With dwindling oil supplies, pollution concerns and the ever-present threat of gas prices soaring again, talk of new and better ways to fuel our cars, heat and cool our homes, and power our factories has never been greater. What’s more, the conversation is emanating increasingly from a source that’s been surprisingly quiet until recently – the oil companies themselves.

When some of the industry’s top executives gather in Houston next week to discuss global energy challenges, finding new and more effective ways to produce oil and gas – as well as alternatives to fossil fuels – will dominate the discussion.
And, as the year progresses, expect to see industry leaders _ including the chiefs of ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s U.S. division _ speaking in cities across America in an unprecedented campaign to educate consumers on energy related issues and discuss topics such as ethanol and renewable fuels. It’s also an opportunity for the companies to polish their images.

Why now? The reasons are varied, but increased public and congressional scrutiny of oil companies because of up-and-down gasoline prices and record profits certainly is a factor. The companies’ own bottom lines also play a key role: The cost of finding and tapping new oil and gas reserves is on the rise while the worldwide appetite for energy is only getting bigger.

Magicvalley.com