Access to new resources and markets and the ability to work in partnership with national oil companies will be vital to the future of international oil companies, according to Jeroen van der Veer, chairman of the committee of managing directors, Royal Dutch/Shell Group. Van der Veer spoke at the opening ceremonies of the Offshore Northern Seas conference in Stavanger on August 24.

"The key for international companies is to show we add real value," van der Veer said, "offering superior technologies and capabilities, providing access to capital and markets, contributing to the community."

Van der Veer cited the Pearl gas-to-liquids agreement with Qatar as an example of an international company providing technology and markets. The agreement was the result of a quarter of a century of Shell work on gas to liquids technology, he said.

"The technology will meet customers' desire for cleaner fuels and provide suppliers with another highly competitive way of commercializing their gas resources," van der Veer said.

With LNG, van der Veer said, the value comes from being able to contribute throughout the delivery chain. Developing the necessary import capacity and marketing strengths in key markets is part of this, he said.

International companies must demonstrate a continuing commitment to the countries in which they work, investing for the long term, developing, skills, engaging with communities and taking care of the environment, van der Veer said.

"I believe that the industry has demonstrated this long-term commitment here in northwest Europe," he said. "For Shell, this had long been one of our heartlands, where we aim to continue developing our business."

08/25/04