Petrobras CEO Gabrielli to Keynote Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Petrobras Chief Executive Officer Jose Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo will keynote the fifth annual Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum, "The World's Quest for Clean Energy," on Thursday, December 1, in New York City, Platts, a leading global energy, petrochemical and metals information provider and host of the event, announced today.  

Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum, held in conjunction with the Platts Global Energy Awards, provides an ongoing platform for critical debate about issues facing the energy industry, with an emphasis on worldwide demand, supply and sustainability.

"As we discuss the complexities of world energy supply and challenges of the 'green' economy, we welcome the unique vantage point Mr. Gabrielli brings to the dialogue, given the strides his company has made in clean energy and the broad energy roles he's played in international organizations," said Larry Neal, president of Platts.

Petrobras, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, has committed $2.5 billion to increasing biodiesel and ethanol production between 2011 and 2015. In addition to planned cuts to its carbon footprint, the oil giant has pledged a four-fold increase in its oil and products exports to 2.3 million barrels per day (b/d) by 2020.

"Petrobras is playing a leading role in both clean energy and sustainability initiatives and we're pleased to participate in this important industry discussion of the future carbon-efficient economy and how to get there," said Gabrielli.

Gabrielli took the helm as Petrobras CEO in July 2005 following a distinguished career in education and public service. Since 2006, the Salvador, Bahia native has served as a United Nations Global Compact Board member and, from 2009 to 2010, was the Energy Community Leader of the World Economic Forum. Gabrielli is a full professor of macroeconomics on leave from the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) and holds a PhD in economics from Boston University in the United States.

Prior to Gabrielli's keynote address, the Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum will feature two roundtable discussions:  

• Supply and Demand Realities – This panel will explore the energy outlook for 2012 and beyond, with a focus on three key areas: fuel sources that can survive and thrive; how and if the nuclear renaissance continues in the wake of increased natural disasters; and whether renewables can meet the intermittency, storage and scalability challenges necessary to be a serious replacement fuel source. Panelists will include executives from such organizations as SAIC, ClearView Energy Partners, Southern Nuclear, AREVA Renewables, and BENTEK Energy.

• The Green Economy – This panel will center on the prospects and economics of an environmentally friendly global economy, with a focus on end-use technologies for hybrid; electronic and other alternative fuel vehicles; global geopolitical implications of green initiatives; and next steps for so-called "smart" energy. Panelists will include energy executives from such entities as the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, Manhattan Institute, Ambient Corporation, and Green Strategies.

Representatives from industry, government, economic and political spheres are set to attend the one-day Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum, 8:00 a.m. ET to 2:00 p.m. ET, at the Digital Sandbox at 55 Broad Street, New York City. Capgemini returns as the Forum's principal sponsor and is joined by co-sponsors SAIC and Ambient. For more information and to access the full agenda, visit this link: http://www.platts.com/ConferenceDetail/2011/globalenergy/index.  

Advance registration is required. Corporate and industry representatives may register at this link. Accredited media may attend as Platts' guests at this media registration link or by contacting [email protected]. Television cameras are welcome. If "live" feeds or special lighting is required, immediate notification and registration is required, as space is limited. For sponsorship details contact [email protected] or +1 970-461-1090.

Following the Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum, some 600 energy executives and other guests are expected to attend the black-tie dinner at New York's Cipriani Wall Street, at which the 2011 Platts Global Energy Awards   for exemplary innovation and leadership will be unveiled for 19 performance categories. CNBC News Anchor Amanda Drury will emcee the Awards for a second year. Corporate and industry may register to attend the Global Energy Awards at this link and accredited media may register at the press link.

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals and metals information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, and shipping markets.  A division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), Platts is headquartered in New York with approximately 900 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.

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SOURCE Platts