Every day we use about 80 million barrels of oil and 280 billion cubic feet of natural gas. That’s what it takes to keep the world running, and by 2030, experts predict it will require about 50% more energy.

Billions of times every day – at the flip of a switch, turn of a key or push of a button – energy is instantly available. It moves people, material and products; it fuels commerce; and it helps make products that are safer and stronger than at any time in history.

Energy is essential for today’s societies, so much so that it is often taken for granted. People simply expect it – and demand it – and that makes the job of supplying energy even more important.

That’s why, in many ways, energy is today one of the world’s most essential industries.

For ExxonMobil and, indeed, for the entire energy sector, supplying energy is a challenge that must be met – practically, affordably, safely and in an environmentally responsible manner. It’s why we spend more on research and technology than any other energy company in the world, because no matter how successful we are at delivering the energy the world needs today, we know that tomorrow, energy needs will be even greater.

To learn more

• An Interview with Lee Raymond -- Meeting the World's Growing Demand for Energy ExxonMobil's Chairman and CEO, Lee Raymond, discusses the challenges of keeping pace with the world's growing demand for energy.  
• Energy Outlook 2030 - Each year, ExxonMobil prepares a detailed, long-term outlook of worldwide economic growth and energy demand. These forecasts, which we have prepared for decades, are used to help us plan our busine
• Energy through 2030 - Op-Ed - Energy demand will rise substantially by 2030, even with efficiency gains.
• ExxonMobil speaks on Europe’s Energy Outlook - Elissa Sterry, Manager Economics & Energy, Exxon Mobil Corporation, gave a keynote address at an international workshop ‘Europe’s Energy Outlook: Finding the Environment – Energy Balance’ organised by Forum Europe and ExxonMobil in Brussels.
• The why and how of energy efficiency - Energy efficiency benefits everyone, and we encourage greater efficiency through a variety of initiatives.
• Realistic Choices in Future Energy Investments - From May 22 to 24 2004, the International Energy Forum (IEF) took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  ExxonMobil's CEO, Lee Raymond, gave a speech about ExxonMobil's vision on the world's future energy needs.
• Europe’s Energy Future - an Industry Perspective - Rick Dobson, Regional Director, Fuels Marketing Europe, speaks at the European Voice Conference on ‘Fuels for a Future Generation’ in Brussels March 18.  
• Europe's Energy Outlook and Refining Challenges - Tom Moeller, Refining Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa was a keynote speaker at the 5th European Fuels Conference, hosted by the World Refining Association, which was held on Tuesday 16 March in Paris.
• A Report on Energy Trends, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Alternative Energy - In this new report ExxonMobil describes what we see as the business challenges and opportunities that are associated with likely energy trends, greenhouse gas emissions and alternative energy options.
• Hyrogen and Fuel Cells - Opportunities and Challanges. At the recent AmCham EU meeting in Brussels, Buford Lewis, Manager Fuels Development, ExxonMobil Corporation spoke about how ExxonMobil sees the advantages and challenges of hydrogen and fuel cells.
• Engine Technology International Interview- Interview with Buford Lewis, Manager Fuels Development, ExxonMobil Corporation, on alternative fuels, the promise of hydrogen and the challenges ahead. Engine Technology International Magazine, June 2003.
• Energy Challenges - the North Sea in a global context
  Andrew Swiger, chairman and production director of ExxonMobil International Limited, puts the North Sea in a global context, and says Europe's largest oil and gas producer plans on staying the course.
• Energy Outlook 2020
  Each year, ExxonMobil prepares a detailed, long-term outlook of worldwide economic growth and energy demand. These forecasts, which we have prepared for decades, are a significant component of our business planning, help guide our investment decisions and are important in understanding our business approach.
• The Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) is an unprecedented, long-term project led by Stanford University. Its purpose is to unite scientific researchers and private industry from around the world in the search for commercially viable technologies that foster the development of a global energy system where greenhouse emissions are much lower than today. ExxonMobil is one of the corporate sponsors.
• "Advanced Vehicles and Fuels". Presentation by Richard Dobson, European Director Fuels Marketing, to the World Fuels Conference, May 2003, Brussels.
• Article on "Energy Challenges for a Growing World", featuring Andy Swiger, Chairman and Production Director, ExxonMobil International, CEO Magazine Article, in Sustainable Development Magazine (September 2003)

Useful links

• World Energy Outlook, International Energy Agency