Supporting the development of alternative energies

Preparing for tomorrow's changes today

Fossil fuels will continue to be essential for many more years. Nonetheless, energy decision-makers (institutions and economic players) are initiating certain necessary changes now:

• diversifying energy sources to prepare for the post-oil era,
• tackling climate change.

Their actions target four main objectives:

• achieving the most efficient use of the oil and gas which is produced,
• optimizing the use of existing reserves,
• introducing energy resources that provide an alternative to oil,
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of fossil fuels.

This approach is further supported by today's extremely high oil prices. According to global experts, there is no reason to think that prices will change significantly in the short or medium term.

In the decades to come, the transport sector will use both traditional energy sources (oil and gas) and a variety of alternative solutions. This will allow the sector to emerge gradually from its almost complete reliance on hydrocarbons.

A gradual approach to change

There will be no sudden, massive replacement of oil. Any changes that occur will take place gradually and will be based on:

• improved use of existing reserves to avoid wasting raw materials (improved recovery rates and the exploitation of as-yet undiscovered fields),
• development of unconventional resources, such as the extra-heavy crude oils which exist in significant quantities in Venezuela and Canada,
• production from deep and ultra-deep offshore resources,
• research and development into alternative fuels obtained from natural gas, biomass, coal and hydrogen.

In other words, the objective is to create a broad energy portfolio that will make it possible to gradually reduce dependence on oil.

Finally, CO₂ emissions will need to be controlled through:

• capture at industrial sites and geological storage,
• reductions in the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of vehicles.

It is on the basis of these obligations that IFP Energies nouvelles has defined its strategy.

+ IFP Energies nouvelles > Annual report

+ IFP Energies nouvelles's research to control CO ₂

+ IFP Energies nouvelles's research on fuels

+ IFP Energies nouvelles's research on engine technologies

+ IFP Energies nouvelles's research on refining

+ IFP Energies nouvelles's research on exploration and production