Page 28: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2023)

GREEN MARINE

The belief that nuclear power is somehow unsafe and dangerous is a myth not born out by facts of science.”

Dr Rory Megginson,

Head of Analytics,

Core Power

Bluntly, there is no short-term option to hydrocarbons as a

NEW STRATEGIES means of fueling the planet. So the challenge becomes hasten-

Wood Mackenzie has developed a new analytical tool, ing the transition; imposing as little further damage as pos-

Lens, to help exploration personnel identify the most attrac- sible in the process; and mastering a collaborative response, tive opportunities in oil and gas that are likely to generate the experts say. best returns. The ? rm’s Vice President of Exploration, An-

Unfortunately, as they point out, many of today’s demon- drew Latham, described how access to data has facilitated for strators and protestors do not realize that hydrocarbons are more effective decision-making. fundamental to most aspects of everyday life – not just fuel

The tool is designed to demonstrate how different explora- for making steel, running most cars and buses, and heating tion opportunities compare, Latham said, and how their eco- or cooling homes. The petrochemicals sector provides key nomics stack up. The quest now, he says, is to identify ‘ad- components for many everyday products – including plastics, vantaged’ oil and gas. This means lower cost, lower carbon, fertilizers, rubbers, clothes, medical equipment, detergents, better access to markets, better ? scal terms, and lower risks. adhesives, pesticides, and paints and coatings.

Also, how much of this resource might be available given a

Asked recently what she would say to a ‘Just Stop Oil’ pro- certain price point, a given set of circumstances, and/or a spe- tester stuck to a gantry, Lloyd’s Register’s Claudine Sharp- ci? c timeframe?

Patel thought about this long and hard. “I think I’d like to ask

Norway, with the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, them where they got the glue,” she said.

huge hydrocarbon reserves, and an abundant supply of renew-

So, on the basis that we have no scalable options to hydro- able hydroelectricity, stands in pole position to spearhead the carbons in the short run, what can we do? 28 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2023

MR #5 (18-33).indd 28 5/1/2023 10:04:51 AM