Klima- og energiminister Lykke Friis’ tale til IADC World Drilling

It is always special to be back here in the Bella Center.

I’m sure you all know, that this is the place, where we tried to strike a global deal on climate change one and a half years ago.
 
Since then the Danish government has put forward our ambitious energy strategy.

The plan is to become independent of fossil fuels in 2050.

So I don’t blame you, if you all might think:
− have we gone to the wrong place?
− Is she trying to push beef to vegetarians?
− Or even worse; trying to sell adult magazines in a nunnery?

No, we simply want to create an energy policy,
where we are balancing the concern of both climate and business.

And that ladies and gentlemen does not imply ending Denmark’s days as an oil nation.

Right now, Denmark is the only net-energy exporter in Europe.For three reasons:
Our oil and gas in the North Sea, our strong energy efficiency policy and extensive focus on renewables.

I know; some might look upon our ambition to remain an oil nation as double standard or even hypocrisy.
After all, can you really “go green” if you still pump up oil?

Well, my answer is yes.

In the long transition phase towards being fossil-free in 2050 gas still remains an important part of flexible and efficient heat and power production and perhaps even heavy transportation.

Just as the oil, we sell on the global market, will still benefit our economy.

Surely, with the current price on oil, it is profitable to invest in new technologies, that can help us extract more oil and gas.

Moreover; the world will not be a better place, if we leave our own oil at the bottom of the North Sea, and leave it to unstable regions in the World to supply us with the crucial energy resources.

On the contrary.
Recent events have shown, that the question of stable energy supply is more important than ever.

Just think about it.
Angela Merkel recently decided to shut down all of Germany’s nuclear plants by 2022 as a consequence of the nuclear accident in Japan.

The decision might have made the anti-nuclear protesters happy, but certainly not the French president Sarkozy.

He fears, that the nuclear stop will burn a hole in Europe’s energy supply, leading to rapidly rising energy prices.

The rising price on oil we have seen lately was exactly the reason, why OPEC gathered last week to decide a raise in the oil supply, but were unable to reach an agreement.

Now the question is; Do we want to be dependent on import of oil or rely on our own?
I guess this is merely a rhetorical question.

In other words: We’re not putting you out of business.

Let me just give you three examples:

First, the Danish Government just recently decided to pass a revised law on the use of the Danish sub soil, including carbon capture and storage.
Just think about Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), which in the future might possibly be achieved by CO2-injections to the benefit of the climate.

Secondly, we’re soon launching a service check to ensure an effective 7th licensing round, benefitting both the sector and the government.

Finally, we’re setting up a brand new dialogue forum with the industry.

But obviously you as an industry should also make sure to live up to the same standards as the rest of our society.

Especially in terms of environment and safety.

I guess it is sufficient to point to the accident in the Mexican gulf.
You were all well aware of the damaging consequences to the environment as well as to the image of the industry.
The current discussions on shale gas have only made this more evident.

Ensuring the highest possible standards will in my view be one of the most efficient tools to create an extreme makeover for the industry.

This reminds me of a conference I attended,
where a roughneck told me:
“I’d rather tell my mother,
that I am  playing piano at a brothel,
than tell people I work on an oil rig”.

The problem exceeds dealing with a bad rep;
It could potentially prevent the industry from recruiting the best and the brightest.

I know that the IADC is already doing a tremendous job in this area.

But I also believe with a joint effort it is possible to take it even further.

One of the things I learned from my recent visit to an oil rig is,
that it makes perfect sense to view the offshore cluster as one:

One where we can share experience and learn from each other,
whether it’s working with oil or offshore wind.

But that’s not all; You still need to be able to attract both men and women, if you want the most qualified employees.

But how is that possible, if women shy away from mathematics, science and technology?

We educate the North Sea heroes who bring energy to the world, energy the world needs. And we use the latest technology such as nano and enzymes.
This is as high tech as anything else.

I hope we can break the gender barrier.
Therefore, as Minister for Gender Equality,
I have in collaboration with the Danish Society of Engineers started a pilot project to encourage girls at school age to take a greater interest in nature and technology subjects.

Not just because I’m Minister for Gender Equality,
but because I firmly believe, that this is key to broadening the line of recruitment.

When I visited the before mentioned oil rig, the roughneck escorting me felt the need to lower my expectations a bit, as we sat foot on the platform:

“Now, when we get there, it is not like in the good old days, when a man was a man and a woman was someone you pinned to the wall”.

Let’s create a fossil fuel free North Sea by drilling safely to the last drop.
And let’s get the best candidates to do it;
 – men and women.

Thank you.