IV INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON OIL AND GAS DEPLETION Opening Statement by the Secretary of State for Industry and Innovation Ministry of Economy, Industry and Innovation

Firstly, I wish to thank you for the invitation to say a few words at the opening of this important workshop. At the beginning of the XXI century an increase of awareness rose that the fossil fuel resources are limited in the planet we inhabit. Their production costs and therefore their prices tend inevitably to increase and their intensive usage has a significant impact on the environment. In a word, there is a growing concern with the long term security of supply of energy at reasonable prices in a context of sustainable social and economic development.