IIW White Paper

New discoveries tend to be in deepwater (>300 m) harsh environments (both climate and product-wise) Transportation of fuels will become of increasing strategic importance. These challenges for exploitation necessitate the wide-spread use of new materials, both in terms of strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. With novel materials, or materials combinations, comes the requirement for reliable, enduring and cost-effective joining methods as the key enabling technologies for their successful introduction. IIW’s position as a worldwide expert network contributes significantly to the dissemination of relevant know-how and experience. Of particular relevance are: new developments in high-productivity arc welding, especially for pipelines; repair technologies; advanced manufacturing concepts; power beam and hybrid processes; and dissimilar materials joining. In addition to the needs and challenges for joining processes, there is the requirement for the safe through-life performance of offshore structures. Hence, in this sector, improved weldability and life-long structural integrity of new high strength materials and welded advanced structures operating in extreme service conditions will continue to be key issues in future applications. 9.1.1 Energy consumption and power generation The Exxon forecasts of the energy consumption per energy source ( Figure 9.2 ) and region ( Figure 9.3 ) and as well the development of light vehicle fleet ( Figure 9.4 ) show a very high growth in Asia and specially in China. The economic drivers such as gross domestic product and population are the main ones.

Oil and gas Remain predominant

Total energy Other energy Wind & solar

MBDOE

MBDOE

4

80

350

Average Growth / Yr 2000 - 2030 1.6%

300

11.1%

3

60

250

1.6%

Wind & Solar

200

1.8%

2

40

1.3%

Other

150

Coal

1.8%

Biomass, MSW Hydro Nuclear

12.4%

100

1.9%

1

20

Gas

50

Wind

1.4%

Oil

1.4%

9.5%

Solar

0

0 1980 2005 2030 1980 2005 2030 1980 2005 2030 0

Figure 9.2 Forecast of the energy consumption per energy source ( Note: MBDOE stands for million barrels per day of oil equivalents) ( Reproduced courtesy: ExxonMobil)

The energy demand will increase 50% by 2030. 80% of energy demand growth is forecast to be in non-OECD countries. Oil, gas and coal will remain predominant energy sources with roughly an 80% share of total energy. Wind power has a high annual growth 11.1% and it is attracting a lot of interest and very ambitious investments plans are set. There are experts, however, judging these as unrealistic. Instead, there are beliefs that investment in nuclear power will be more acceptable even with the recent problems in Japan. This will definitely result in increased demand for R&D in materials and processes to meet the stricter requirements for quality and safety.

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Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies

Improving Global Quality of Life