‘The Arctic: A New Energy Frontier’ is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Nov. 12

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

 ‘The Arctic: A New Energy Frontier’ is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Nov. 12

HOUSTON – (Nov. 10, 2015) – Energy industry executives, government officials and academic experts will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Nov. 12 for a conference addressing the risks, opportunities and geopolitical and environmental stakes of Arctic oil and gas development.

Hosted by the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies and the Consulate General of Norway in Houston, the event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Who: Fran Ulmer, special adviser to the U.S. secretary of state on Arctic science and policy, will give the opening keynote.

Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy Resource Economics and senior director of the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies, will give welcoming remarks.

For the agenda and list of panelists, go to http://bakerinstitute.org/events/1748.

What: A conference titled “The Arctic: A New Energy Frontier.”

When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The opening keynote is at 9:45 a.m.

Where: Rice University, Baker Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

The Arctic is widely regarded as the last frontier for global oil and gas resource development, according to event organizers. Despite the recent decline in oil prices, Arctic nations are positioning themselves to capitalize on prodigious oil and gas reserves, particularly those in U.S. and Russian territories. At the same time, environmental concerns and extreme operating conditions present daunting challenges both technologically and commercially. There is much at stake in the Arctic, and much to learn, according to organizers.

The conference will address such questions as:

• How large is the hydrocarbon resource potential?
• How are the resources distributed across territorial claims?
• What are the operational and regulatory differences among Arctic nations?

The public must register to attend this event at http://bakerinstitute.org/events/1748.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media are advised to park in the Central Campus Garage.

-30-

Follow the Baker Institute via Twitter @BakerInsitute.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top 10 university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.