Total is the host sponsor of World Gas Conference WGC Paris 2015. Total will be turning out in force, represented by CEO Patrick Pouyanné, Upstream President Yves-Louis Darricarrère, a number of speakers and a large stand. We bring you up to date on this much-anticipated event.
Gas industry professionals will be making their triennial pilgrimage to the World Gas Conference (WGC), whose 26th edition will be held in Paris. The program features both a conference and an exhibition, offering meetings, interactive showcases and discussions about natural gas, which makes up a growing share of the global energy mix.
After Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2012, the scene of the World Gas Conference — the 26th — is shifting to Paris, where gas companies, institutes, researchers and other professionals will meet June 1 to 5. Around 3,000 delegates from 80 countries are expected to make the trip. Eagerly awaited by the entire industry, the WGC plans to spotlight gas as the energy best suited to meet growing global demand, especially in developing countries, while tackling the challenges of climate change.
Signaling its importance, the WGC will open under the auspices of the French government, with speeches by Jérôme Ferrier, President of the International Gas Union (IGU), which organizes the conference, Patrick Pouyanné, Total’s CEO, and Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of ENGIE (formerly GDF Suez).
Total’s Strong Showing on the Speaker Roste
WGC Paris 2015 will also mark the end of a triennium during which France held the IGU presidency. The IGU’s work in the last three years will constitute the backbone of the conference, which will focus on four main topics:
- Natural gas as a core pillar for a sustainable future of the planet.
- Gas, renewables and electricity: a perfect combination.
- Natural gas as a growth factor for new economies.
- Human capital for the future of the gas industry.
These topics will be the main focus of the speeches, papers and round tables at which Total, as the WGC host sponsor, will be well represented.
- Jérôme Schmitt, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Development & Environment, on gas flaring and venting reduction.
- Helle Kristoffersen, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Business Intelligence, on a 2050 prospective study.
- Laurent Vivier, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Markets & LNG in Gas & Power, on world gas outlooks to 2035.
- Stéphane Michel, Senior Vice President, Middle East/North Africa in Exploration & Production, on LNG, a key factor.
LNG Takes Center Stage at the Total Stand
At the same time, an exhibition area open to all (preregistered) visitors free of charge will feature nearly 350 companies, attending the WGC to present their most important achievements, innovations and technological advances. We will be an exhibitor and our stand will showcase liquefied natural gas (LNG), a sector in which we are a leading player. To optimize visitor experience, the stand will be interactive (touch tablets will be supplied) and staffed at all times by Total representatives.
When the event-filled week is over, the United States will take up the torch and hold the IGU presidency. It will host the 27th WGC in Washington D.C. in June 2018.