A new energy landscape—IGU perspective
Abdul Rahim HashimPresident, International Gas Union
The APPEA Journal 50(3) - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ09113
Published: 30 June 2010
Abstract
There are many factors favouring the continuing growth of the gas industry worldwide, notwithstanding the recent global financial crisis and economic slowdown. These include the growing world population, enhanced urbanisation, increased focus on climate change mitigation, and the wider access to gas markets through LNG.
The recent technological breakthrough in the development, production and commercialisation of unconventional gas in the USA has created new dynamics in the global gas and energy landscape. Coupled with the softening of energy and gas demand in the aftermath of the global economic slowdown, the surplus gas supplies situation led to the weakening of gas and LNG prices, making it more affordable. Abundant conventional and unconventional gas resources would pave the way for greater utilisation of gas in the energy consuming sectors.
The relentless pursuit to reduce carbon emission and the need to address issues on climate change nevertheless call for greater collective efforts to promote wider use of this relatively clean, efficient, versatile and environmental friendly fuel, while efforts in commercialising renewable energy is still being actively pursued.
This paper will highlight the dynamics of the changing global gas and energy landscape. It will also identify some of the key issues, challenges and opportunities moving forward.
The outline of the presentation is as follows: introduction; the global natural gas and LNG industry; the changing gas and energy landscape; key challenges and opportunities; and closing remarks.
Datuk (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, the President of the Malaysian Gas Association, began his career in PETRONAS soon after graduating from the University of Birmingham, UK in electrical and electronics engineering in 1976. Throughout his 32 years of involvement in the oil and gas industry, he has held a number of high profile positions of increasing responsibility, which include: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Oil Refinery (Melaka) Sdn Bhd and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Refining Company Sdn Bhd (MRC). In his career path in higher management in PETRONAS, Datuk Rahim moved on to become the Vice President of the Human Resource Management Division, then became the Vice-President for Gas Business, and then became the Vice President of the Research and Technology Division of PETRONAS, a post he held until end of 2008. While serving in PETRONAS, he also held several key positions in a variety of gas industry organisations, both in Malaysia and at an international level including helming the presidency of the Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ANGVA). On the 9 October he was appointed as the President of the International Gas Union (IGU) for the triennium 2009–2012. The IGU is a global, non-commercial and non-governmental organisation aimed at promoting the technical and economic progress of the gas industry. Established in 1931, it presently has more than 100 charter and associate members. Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim, a professional engineer, is on the Board of Engineers (BOE), Malaysia and he is also the Chairman of the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) Malaysia. He is also an Associate Member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In 1997, he completed the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at Harvard Business School, Boston, USA. |
