Steps to finding the next barrel of oil

Many people, in particular the governments, are becoming more and more concerned about where the next barrel of oil is coming from

The current frame of mind is one of anxiety and uncertainty, not just about the amount of oil but who is in charge of it.

Worries about changes in the climate are adding to everyone’s concerns.  Energy is now at the top of many political plans globally and is expected to be for the foreseeable future.  So the question is where do we look for the next barrel of oil?

According to BP, there are 3 questions – where do we look for the energy resources, what are the key skills and technologies required to access them and where does the current research and development landscape in the industry need to change to deliver the third trillion?

Resources can be found in the recovery from what has already been found, the discovery of conventional resources and more variety in broadening the frame of where the oil comes from. 

A cross-disciplinary approach is required, one that draws from a broad range of scientific and technical skills and knowledge - chemical, biological digital and more.  The R&D landscape needs to change to speed up the rate at which new solutions are developed.