Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology

Background

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The Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology was created by the decision of the UNECE Committee on Sustainable Energy, taken at its eleventh session in November 2001 (ECE/ENERGY/47, para.13). 

At its Third Session on 30-31 October 2003, the Ad Hoc Group of Experts considered it appropriate that the title of the Ad Hoc Group be changed to Ad Hoc Group Experts on the Supply of Fossil Fuels in order to better reflect the nature of its work. Subsequent to this, it was agreed at the 14th annual session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy that the name of the Group should revert back to its original name i.e. Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology.

Meetings

	Recent Meetings
	Second Session of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology 9-11 November 2005 Documents | Presentations
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	Past Meetings
	First Session of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology 10-11 November 2004 Documents | Presentations

Mandate

The mandate of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts is to harmonize the terminologies currently applied to different energy commodities (petroleum, natural gas, coal and uranium) with a purpose to suggest a new methodology for assessing the world energy reserves/resources on a common basis. This methodology will be used for the benefit of the World Energy Council Survey of Energy Reserves/Resources.

Aims and Objectives

To this end, the Ad Hoc Group of Experts is making efforts to apply the Codification Tool of the existing United Nations Framework Classification for the Reserves/Resources of Solid Fuels and Mineral Commodities (UNFC). This Classification has been developed by a UN Task Force and successfully implemented in many countries worldwide, in accordance with the ECOSOC Decision 227/1997. The 3-digit UNFC Codification Tool could be applied to bridge the existing differences in terminology of the major, internationally recognised, classifications for petroleum, natural gas, coal and uranium commodities. However, the achievement of this objective would require a multi-disciplinary approach and that is why the Ad hoc Group of Experts is split into three sub-groups covering all commodities and including the participation of experts nominated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers/World Petroleum Congress (SPE/WPC); the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); non-OPEC oil producing countries; the World Energy Council (WEC) the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); the Council of Mining and Metallurgical Institutions (CMMI); the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB); extractive industries/companies involved in hydrocarbons, coal and uranium; and experts from national institutions dealing with assessment and classification of reserves/resources.

Further Information

Further information on the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on the  Supply of Fossil Fuels is available on the "Documents" and "Meetings" sections.