National energy symposium to explore the economic, geopolitical impact of U.S. energy security

NORMAN, Okla., March 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thought leaders from the energy industry will meet on the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus next month to discuss the global and domestic impact of a steadily increasing U.S. energy supply. The Price College of Business Energy Institute at OU will serve as host for the second annual Energy Symposium on Thursday, April 10.

"We are experiencing a time of energy abundance in the U.S. that could extend for many years to come," said Dipankar Ghosh, David C. Steed Professor of Accounting and executive director of the Price College of Business Energy Institute. "With the dramatic growth of oil reserves and production from deep water offshore and unconventional onshore development, together with the boom in natural gas reserves and production capacity, we're closer to North American energy independence than we've been in decades.  That security of relatively low-cost and abundant supply of hydrocarbon resources will have far-reaching impact on the U.S. economy and our geopolitical position in the world."

Conference discussions will focus on how improved technology and cost efficiencies have led to enhanced oil and gas productivity and significant reserve increases in the United States and Canada, dramatically changing energy perspectives. Speakers also will discuss how the new opening in Mexico will impact prospective supplies. The potential for the United States to become a net exporter of natural gas and refined products could change American views of energy dependency and reshape the global energy balance.

Speakers also will explore how new geologic concepts and technologies will continue to provide long-lasting supplies of hydrocarbon energy resources from the United States, Canada and Mexico, examining in-depth the impact of this increasing and sustainable resource on the economy and geopolitical dynamics.

"The impact of this supply revolution, combined with energy utilization efficiencies, could have extraordinary consequences on the U.S. economy and labor markets," Ghosh said. "For decades, the geopolitical leverage achieved by large petro-exporters has been a major challenge for the U.S., but we now have the means to shift the balance. Participants will leave the conference with a fresh perspective on the implications of North American energy security and how those prospects should drive our strategy and policies for energy in this country."

Energy Symposium Featured Speakers

John Richels, president and CEO of Devon Energy, will provide insight on the sustainability of North American hydrocarbon energy resources that underpin energy security.

Eric Lee, energy analyst on Citigroup's commodities research team, will focus his discussion on the far-reaching economic impact of North American energy security.

Tom Choi, natural gas market lead for Deloitte Marketpoint LLC, will address the liquid natural gas (LNG) export potential of the U.S, including regulatory hurdles. He will also discuss the impact of LNG export potential on U.S. domestic and international gas prices, on the resurgence of manufacturing and other industries in the U.S., and the timing and cost factors.

Robert Johnston, CEO and director of Eurasia Group's Global Energy and National Resource practice, will discuss how energy security is re-shaping global geopolitical dynamics.

Keynote speaker, Joseph Stanislaw, founder of the JAStanislaw Group, will share his extensive global experience and insights on this emerging energy reality and add further perspective to the key messages provided by the other speakers.

The Energy Symposium is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at The National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., on the OU Norman campus. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and registration is required. To register for the conference, visit http://price.ou.edu/energysymposium.

About the Price College of Business

The Price College of Business is one of the nation's premier business colleges. Building on the University of Oklahoma's tremendous global energy legacy that stretches back 100 years, and in response to the industry's significant demand for well-trained leadership, the Price College of Business has launched several successful programs aimed specifically at the energy industry.  

To learn more about the Price College of Business, visit www.ou.edu/price, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/OUPriceCollege or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oupricecollege.

SOURCE The University of Oklahoma Price College of Business