MANAMA: The Kingdom of Bahrain is set to host the region’s largest oil show from 26th to 29th September 2016 under the patronage of Bahrain’s Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
The 10th Middle East Refining & Petrochemicals Conference and Exhibition (Middle East Petrotech 2016) will attract 3,500 refining and petrochemicals industry professionals from over thirty countries making it the largest gathering of the downstream oil and gas industry in the Middle East.
The bi-annual event, established 20 years ago, incorporates a 4-day high level conference organised by a committee of NOCs, IOCs and major service providers spearheaded by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Saudi Aramco, and a parallel 3-day exhibition organised by Allworld Exhibition’s member Arabian Exhibition Management.
The Middle East Petrotech 2016 conference takes place under the theme ‘Teaming Up for Excellence: Industry, Government and Education.’ In challenging times for the energy sector in light of low oil prices, the Middle East Petrotech 2016 Chairman and President and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum International Bakheet Al-Rashidi says the event is a bright spot for the region and the industry alike, and an important opportunity to convene as it looks to the future.
“The conference theme ‘Teaming Up for Excellence: Industry, Government and Education’ is focused on the symbiosis between downstream oil professionals, government officials and those active in the education and training fields. Synergy between these sectors will lead to the advancement of the downstream industries through the maximisation and exploitation of resources, implementation of best practices and benchmarking utilisation,” Al-Rashidi said.
“Understanding the latest developments and trends in the global economy and future shifts in market dynamics is of vital importance. Top management and economists will discuss possible ways forward in an uncertain world at Middle East Petrotech 2016,” he continued.
Optimising the best return on assets will also be a focus of the conference, through energy conservation, new tools for the successful completion of projects, operational excellence and encouraging a culture of reliability and efficient turnaround maintenance.
Health, Safety and Environment will be showcased in a bid to encourage the creation of a culture of plant safety and environmental practices to help ensure a safer and healthier future for future generations.
The conference has secured an impressive lineup of speakers, beginning with a pre-conference forum and the conference opening ceremony on 26 September at the Ritz Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa.
The conference will be opened with welcome address from Bahrain’s Minister of Oil, H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and the Middle East Petrotech 2016 Chairman Bakheet Al-Rashidi. An executive plenary session will follow under theme ‘The Economic Downturn and Its Effect on the Oil Downstream Industry’ with addresses from Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO, Saudi Aramco; and H.R.H. Prince Faisal Bin Turki, Advisor, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources.
Daily keynote sessions led by presidents and CEOs further examining the roles of government, education and industry will also take place.
The Middle East Petrotech 2016 exhibition of refining and petrochemicals products and services showcases over 120 exhibitors and runs from 27 – 29 September at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. 6,000 sqm is devoted to the latest technologies, new product launches and best industry services in the refining and petrochemicals industry. Regional giants, including Bapco, ADNOC, KNPC, Petro Rabigh, Saudi Aramco, Sadara Chemical Company, SAMREF (Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company), SASREF (Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery), SATORP (Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company) and YASREF (Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company) are taking flagship stands. International service industry majors will also have a strong presence at Middle East Petrotech 2016. A host of specialist companies and national pavilions from Canada and Egypt consolidate this line up.