On May 28-29, 2024, Kraków hosted an industry event entitled Europe Regional Conference 2024 (ERC24), organised by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). The theme of the conference was Energy Transition: Is the European Approach Different?).

The meeting was attended by more than 270 people from 29 countries, representing 101 scientific institutions and industrial units. The Polish Geological Institute-NRI was represented by a large group of specialists and scientists.

The ERC24 AAPG international technical committee had four co-chairs: Piotr Krzywiec (ING PAN), Gabor Tari (OMV Upstream), Stanisław Zwolan (Orlen SA Group) and Maxim Vityk (UGV/Naftogaz Group), as well as Bartosz Papiernik (AGH), Mariusz Łukaszewski (Geofizyka Toruń), Jarosław Zacharski (PGI-NRI), Bryan Sralla (Tenaz Energy) and Ivan Virshylo (UGV/Naftogaz Group).

The conference was officially opened by prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Galos (Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Chief National Geologist), prof. dr hab. Stanisław Mikulski (Deputy Director for Research and Development, PGI-NRI) and prof. Maria Mutti (President of the AAPG European Region).

Transitions: Europe and the U.S." Robbie Gries (former president of AAPG) presented the main differences in attitudes towards the use of fossil raw materials and renewable energy sources in the US and Europe, highlighting the still important role of fossil raw materials in the energy transition. This was followed by dr Maxim Vityk, in a presentation entitled 'Resilience in Turmoil: Gas Production Amidst War in Ukraine” presented the status of the exploration and production sector's involvement in meeting energy needs in Ukraine, highlighting the increase in daily natural gas production from approximately 33.6 million m3/d before 2021 to 37.3 million m3/d today.

The second day of the session included a panel discussion on energy, entitled 'Energy Transition'. It was moderated by prof. dr hab. Stanisław Nagy (AGH), and participants included: Robbie Gries, dr Mike Simmons (Halliburton), Helen Cromie (Innargi), Bernhard Novotny (OMV), Mykhailo Bratakh (UGV/Naftogaz Group) and a representative of the Polish Geological Institute -NRI dr Andrzej Głuszyński.

Panel discussion on the second day of the conference. From the left: Professor S. Nagy, R. Gries, B. Novotny, A. Głuszyński, M. Simmons, H. Cromie., M. Bratakh. Photo A. Wójcicki

During the two-day meeting, 24 thematic sessions were held, during which 132 presentations were made and 54 posters were presented. Both during the lecture sessions and in the discussion panel, in addition to traditional issues related to the analysis of petroleum systems, current problems of the fuel and energy industry in the world were discussed. It was pointed out that the energy transition cannot take place without the important participation of specialists associated with the broader earth sciences (geoscientists) and using geological research. According to conference participants, this support should take place, among other things, through more efficient use of fossil raw materials, more widespread use of geothermal energy and underground structures for energy storage or CO2 storage, or, finally, through the search for other raw materials necessary for an effective transition, i.e.: hydrogen, lithium, vanadium, molybdenum, etc.

The great importance of the development of the aforementioned issues and their impact on supporting the energy transition was expressed by the large number of speeches devoted to this topic. It is worth mentioning that as many as 27 speeches were directly related to the energy transition (The European Energy Transition: CCUS; Geothermal, Hydrocarbon Exploration and Storage, Regulation, Policy and Strategy). Invited guests emphasised the high level of the conference and the materials presented.

NIn conclusion, on behalf of the organising committee, prof. dr hab. Piotr Krzywiec thanked all participants for coming, being active and getting involved. In doing so, he expressed the hope that there would be more than one occasion to meet with such a distinguished group in Poland.

Participants at the Europe Regional Conference 2024. Photo Organisers

Speech by Karl Henry Steen of PGNiG Upstream Norway AS

The conference provided an opportunity for many interesting discussions. Jarosław Zacharski of the Department of Regional Geology of PGI-NRI and Piotr Gawenda of S$P Global

Text: Katarzyna Jarmołowicz-Szulc, Jarosław Zacharski