INTERNATIONAL ENERGY FORUM: MAY 22-24 MEETING IN

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002422

SIPDIS

DOE FOR PRICE

E.0. 12958 N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG NL
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL ENERGY FORUM: MAY 22-24 MEETING IN
AMSTERDAM



1. As current chairman of the IEF, the Netherlands has
announced the following preliminary program for the 2004 IEF
that will take place May 22-24, 2004 at the Okura Hotel in
Amsterdam. The Dutch have also noted the launch of the IEF
website at www.iefs.net

Begin Text of Preliminary Program

May 22

After the official opening, this session will set the scene.
The Forum will look back on the events that have taken place
since the last IEF in Osaka, including the establishment of
the new IEF Secretariat. An energy outlook for the coming
decades will be presented. This will deal with such
questions as: How far will energy demand grow? In what
sectors and in which countries? How will the growing energy
demand be accommodated? This session will present the
background and take a kaleidoscopic view of the items to be
discussed during the Forum. Experts from the IEA and OPEC
will assist the Forum by giving their views and pointing out
critical issues.

Mat 23, First Session

The focal point of this session will be the perspective from
the oil and gas market and on co-operation between
governments and the oil and gas energy sector. The gas
market is growing very fast. Most studies project a
continuing growth in the coming decades. However, question
is whether the growth of the gas market is a self-fulfilling
prophecy. Demand could be lower than projected because of
competition of other fuels (e.g. coal, supply could be lower
if the level of investments in transport capacity is
inadequate. Other issues for discussion are the
similarities and differences in institutional arrangements
between oil and gas. Here a discussion will take place about
the question whether the co-operation between governments
and energy companies in oil and gas differ and if so,
whether these differences may persist or disappear in the
future. Aim of the discussion is again to explore the need
for government policies in this field.

May 23, Second Session

The focus will then shift to the core issue of the IEF:
investments in exploration, production and transport of
energy. The investments in energy have to grow substantially
in order to meet the growing demand of oil, gas, electricity
and other energy sources all over the world. Question is
whether this increase in investments will be large enough
and take place in time. Specific obstacles could prevent the
mobilization of capital for these investments, and thus
result in shortages and volatile prices. In this session the
participants will discuss how to overcome the obstacles for
higher investments. Background papers written by experts
with experience in the energy industry and the financial
sector will stimulate discussion. In this session energy
technology and the environment will also be an important
issue for discussion. For environmental reasons investing in
energy efficient techniques are beneficial, even for
producing countries, because it reduces domestic energy
demand, leaving room for exports. Finally, there will be
room for discussion on the relation between energy access (2
billion people do not have proper access to energy) and
economic development and about ways to improve access.

May 24
The fourth and final session will simultaneously constitute
a conclusion and a fresh start. The future of the IEF will
be discussed against the background of the discussions in
the previous sessions. Next there will be a discussion on
data transparency and the progress made in the Joint Data
Initiative. The fourth session will also signal the start of
the new Secretariat of the IEF. The Secretary General of the
IEFS, Mr Arne Walther, will present the Secretariat and its
planned activities. The secretariat will play an important
role in the preparation of following editions of the IEF.

End Text of Preliminary Program

Sobel