The energy industry in Iraq has made great strides so far, but it is time to introduce sustainability, according to an expert.
“It needs sustainability as part of a building block for future developments and plans, since the Iraqi energy sector is not only vital to the Iraqi economy, but global energy markets at large,” Prof. Ali Al Sayigh, Director General of the World Renewable Energy Congress and Chairman of the Board of Iraq Energy Institute, said.
He was speaking ahead of the 2012 Iraq Energy Forum, set to take place on December 12 and said would see world’s renowned industry experts flock to Baghdad for the most eagerly anticipated, cross sector energy event of the year.
Founded and hosted by the Iraq Energy Institute (IEI), the Iraq Energy Forum brings together an exclusive line-up of senior Iraqi government officials and decision makers, ambassadors, IOCs, industry leaders and cross-sector industry experts. More than a conference and a networking opportunity, the Forum stands as a medium to influence, shape and engage the Iraqi energy industry, in this next phase of its evolution. Stakeholders who attend will have the opportunity to engage directly with regulators and policy and decision makers, giving them the chance to exchange views, and gain and early insight into the upcoming investment and development plans as well as project announcements.
The assembly’s inaugural day will commence Wednesday 12 December with an in-depth focus on the many opportunities, as well as the challenges to be faced, within Iraq’s energy sector, with specific reference to the development of upstream and downstream industries, as well as the vital importance of building the energy sector’s capacity. Thursday 13 December will shift the focus to the challenges and accompanying opportunities with regard to the creation of infrastructure, power generation needs and projects, and will also explore the issues of sustainability and resource-diversification.
In addition to the Forum’s already rich line-up, three simultaneous full day master-classes will be run on the 11th of December, further maximising the opportunities presented by the IEF. Master-Class 1, titled Petroleum Development Policies and Field Operations will offer and in-depth overview of all aspects of Iraq’s upstream sector. Addressing IPP programmes and the tendering and contracting processes needed to prepare successful bids, Master-Class 2 will focus on IPP & EPC Contracts. The third master class will revolve around capacity building as well as improved on-going training and development.
The three master classes will give participants the chance to gain unparalleled insight into the technical and procedural aspects of Iraq’s energy industry, as well as its substantial untapped potential.
“Projected global demand will need two more of Saudi Arabia by 2035, and the only candidate right now that we can think of to fill the gap, and boost security of energy supply prospects is Iraq,” Luay al-Khatteeb, Founder and CEO of Iraq Energy Institute remarked earlier this year on Bloomberg.
Iraq’s oil production reached a record high of over 3 MBPD in 2012 and the government is committed to ambitious plans of at least tripling production before the decade’s end. Further, the vast amount of gas reserves in Iraq remain underutilised, while Iraq’s urgent power needs are well publicised. Infrastructure de-bottlenecking, development and rehabilitation projects are paramount in dealing with the challenges ahead, therefore ample opportunities to capitalise and get involved in the next wave of investments will be on offer and should not to be missed.
The Iraq Energy Forum has strong state support, with the confirmed presence of several ministers and heads of the decisions making committees in Iraq, giving attendees further opportunity to gain insight into government policies and directions, and which will also act as a major aid in helping investors plan their strategies and investments for Iraq with optimal efficiency. The Forum benefits from enviable Ambassadorial participation, and the event will also close with an Ambassadorial Reception, which will provide further networking opportunities.