環境保全への国際的取り組み

抄録

To reduce damage to the environment, both locally and globally, while meeting the rising demand for oil is a big challenge for oil companies. This presentation explores what has been done to protect the environment in Sakhalin II and Canadian oil sands projects, touching on the complexity of environmental issues and important roles which oil companies should play.
Of the many environmental issues faced today, the risk of global climate change is now growing and generates enormous public interest. In the meantime, oil is projected to maintain a major position in supplying primary energy for a long time to come. To tackle this problem, increases in energy efficiency and a shift to non-fossil fuels are of utmost importance.
Along with these measures, gas flaring reduction and carbon capture and storage (CCS) are also very effective ways to reduce global warming gas emissions.
In spite of the efforts taken by individual oil companies, the amount of global gas flaring still remains at a high level because of several constraints encountered in flaring countries. While CCS is a very promising option for drastically reducing emissions if applied at large power plants which burn fossil fuels, there is still a long way to go for this option to be accepted as a reliable and affordable means.
This presentation reviews international efforts to promote these two measures and provides information on how they are progressing in Russia, Nigeria, Canada and the EU.
Lastly, the presentation highlights some specific topics in related international carbon reduction efforts including CDM, CCS EOR, emissions trading and increasing public awareness in environmental issues.
The concluding message is that the challenge for sustainable energy development in the new century has already started, and the roles of oil companies are essential as a main player in the high energy society.