Shell Oil President John Bookout rose through his firm's exploration and production division, earning his reputation for expertise in the search for oil and gas. But now, at the top, he spends some 60% of his time on public affairs, explaining energy matters to elected officials, Government regulators and skeptical consumers. The tall, slow-talking Louisianian recently discussed the global quest for new energy sources with TIME Correspondent Robert C. Wurmstedt. Excerpts from the conversation:
The Oil Exploration Outlook: We estimate that two-thirds of the remaining oil and gas to be discovered in the U.S. exists under the approximately 760...