Shell Oil Company President John Hofmeister addressed more than 250 students, faculty and alumni of New York University’s (NYU) Stern School of Business for one hour as part of the school’s CEO Series. Held three times a year, the CEO Series brings some of the world's most influential business leaders on campus for candid conversations about their work and their industries. The activities include a small reception hosted by Dean Thomas Cooley and other NYU Stern representatives, the formal CEO Series interview moderated by a leading journalist and a closing reception with the speakers and attendees.
Dean Thomas Cooley of NYU’s Stern School of Business opened the event by introducing Mr. Hofmeister and Vijay Vaitheeswaran, an executive-in-residence at NYU and a reporter with The Economist. Mr. Vaitheeswaran proceeded to interview Mr. Hofmeiseter, asking approximately 20 questions throughout the duration of the event.
Discussion topics included:
- Myths associated with current energy landscape
- Geopolitical issues and the nationalization of energy resources
- Energy "independence," interdependence and U.S. access policy
- Technological advances in the energy industry
After approximately 45 minutes of discussion, Mr. Vaitheeswaran opened the floor to questions from the students. Mr. Vaitheeswaran allowed the audience to quickly ask three questions, which were then reiterated by Mr. Vaitheeswaran. This allowed the conversation to commence more smoothly. Questions from the audience ranged from topics including:
- The debate over peak oil and the role of energy executives in framing the discussion
- The global oil market’s effect on U.S. policy
- Shell’s role in fighting global warming and its position on cap-and-trade
- The future of partnerships between independent oil companies and national oil companies
- Industry-wide investment in alternative energy solutions