COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Every day the United States uses 21 million barrels of oil, a number that seems almost impossible to fathom. But when broken down further, the number really hits home.

"That is 10,000 gallons per second that is consumed by the United States," said John Hofmeister, President of Shell Oil. "That is like a backyard swimming pool full of oil every second."

Hofmeister, who was the featured speaker at the Dwight Look College of Engineering's Dean's Lecture Series Nov. 2, delivered those staggering statistics during his speech "How the U.S. Can Ensure the Energy Supply for the Future."

His stop at Texas A&M University was part of "A Dialogue with Americans on Energy Security," a cross-country tour in which Hofmeister and other members of Shell leadership meet and engage in discussions with a wide variety of people on a highly important topic: what it will take to meet the energy challenge.

"Texas A&M Engineering has a long history of energy education and research; energy security is a complex topic of highest importance and decisions being made today will impact humanity for many generations to come," said Dr. G. Kemble Bennett, vice chancellor and dean of engineering and holder of the Harold J. Haynes Dean's Chair Professorship. "As a leader of one of the largest energy organizations worldwide, John Hofmeister is involved in those discussions shaping our energy future and we were pleased to provide the Dean's Lecture as a forum for the public to hear his thoughts on this important topic."

Hofmeister discussed opening up areas for drilling that have been deemed off limits by federal law, a sore subject among environmentalists. If federal law were to change Hofmeister said it would help to increase supply.

"Eighty-five million barrels of oil produced today will be bought out by the end of today which leads to little or no extra supply," he said. "There are 110 billion barrels of oil that we are not allowed to touch. Public policy that opens up the continental shelf should be allowed. Public policy prevents the United States from taking care of our own needs."

During his speech, Hofmeister also discussed alternative fuels his company has spent more than $1 billion on in recent years in its efforts to help develop as a way to ease the dependence on oil.

Among the alternatives Shell has researched are: liquefied natural gas, wind energy, clean coal, biofuels made from corn stalks, algae, hay and municipal waste. While he discussed them, he did caution those in attendance that while it may be the way of the future, it is still a ways down the road.

"It is not an overnight opportunity," he said. "But it is promising."

Earlier in the day, Hofmeister spoke to Dr. Christine Ehlig-Economides' Engineering 101 class that focuses on energy. During his talk with the students, Hofmeister pointed to the many ways energy is wasted in everyday life.

"Three percent of energy used by a light bulb produces light, 97 percent is wasted heat," he told the students. "An Internal combustion engine, 20 percent of the gasoline you burn gives you power, 80 percent is wasted heat."

Hofmeister pointed to a lack of education as the primary reason for the inefficiency of Americans when it comes to energy. That is where classes like Economides' 101 course can come into play.

"You really can't live your life without energy," Hofmeister said. "But where it comes from and how we get it is something no one talks about."

More on Economides' Engineering 101 class

For more information, contact

Reporter: Timothy C. Schnettler
tschnettler@tamu.edu
(979) 458-2277

News Story 1609, November 8, 2007

Direct page link:
http://engineeringnews.tamu.edu/news/1609

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