The world is facing the medium-term exhaustion of its known supplies of oil, and supplies of natural gas become more difficult to locate, tap into and transport to its consumers.  In this context, this panel will examine how communications solutions are working with advanced IT techniques to allow oil & gas companies to exploit reserves in ecologically sensitive environments whilst adhering to international treaty obligations and alert to the pressure of public opinion.  In addition, in a politico-economic environment that is increasingly influenced by discussion of climate change, Panel 7 will explore how ICT developments in the oil & gas sector are advancing evolution towards a non-Carbon economy.