DURHAM, N.C. – John D. Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Company, will give a free, public talk on the future of U.S. energy supplies at 91 at 4 p.m., Oct. 19, in room 111 of the Biological Sciences Building on Science Drive. 

Hofmeister’s talk is sponsored by the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences’ Office of the Dean.  A question-and-answer session and reception will follow.

In his talk, “How Can the U.S. Ensure Energy Supply for the Future?,” Hofmeister will argue that to ensure energy for the future, the energy industry must address the delicate balance between production and consumption by increasing the available supply. 

This includes making use of a full array of conventional and unconventional energy sources, including access to resources presently off limits in offshore waters and on federal lands, as well as developing clean fossil fuels, and alternative and renewable energy sources.  He stresses that the industry must conduct business in socially, economically and environmentally responsible ways.

“We’re thrilled to have John Hofmeister come to the Nicholas School and share his vision for future energy security.  With more than 30 years of experience as a business leader, much of it spent in the energy industry, he brings a perspective to the issue that is invaluable for our students to understand – one you can’t learn from textbooks,” said William H. Schlesinger, dean of the Nicholas School and James B. Duke Professor of Biogeochemistry.

The Nicholas School offers a Master of Environmental Management 91 with a concentration in Energy & Environment that provides students with a broad perspective on the current energy system and future alternatives; a fundamental understanding of science and technology as it relates to energy and environment; background in the economics, policy and business of energy; and first-hand exposure to the energy sector and energy leaders.

Hofmeister was named president of Houston-based Shell Oil in March 2005.  Previously, he held key positions at General Electric, Nortel and AlliedSignal (now Honeywell International), in addition to Shell.  At Shell, he heads the U.S. Country Leadership Team, which includes the leaders of all Shell businesses operating in the United States.

He is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee, and serves on the boards of the American Petroleum Institute, the United States Energy Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Urban League and the Foreign Policy Association. He earned a master’s 91 in political science from Kansas State University.