DUBAI– Population growth, industrial expansion and demand for power has had a dramatic impact on the Middle East gas industry with many countries turning to imports to keep pace. Acknowledging this trend cannot continue, the region is focusing on exploring sustainable energy solutions and advancing gas production.
The Gas Arabia Summit has been at the forefront of gas debate and is celebrating its tenth anniversary by acknowledging the achievements of the past decade, examining solutions to the challenges that have emerged, as well as prospects for the next ten years and beyond.
Taking place from the 13 – 15 January, 2015, the Summit is returning to the UAE assembling a new industry advisory board including: Salim Al Sikaiti, Gas Director, PDO; John Roper, Head of Middle East, E.ON Global Communities; Mounir Bouaziz, Vice President Middle MENA and Country Chair Dubai & Northern Emirates, Royal Dutch Shell; Simon Cattle, President of Oil, Gas and LNG, Integrated Supply and Trading, Middle East and East Africa, BP; Hatem Nuseibeh, President of Total UAE; Dr. Hany El Sharkawi; Chief Executive Officer, Cheiron Petroleum Holdings; Badr H Jafar, President & Executive Director, Crescent Petroleum; Kate Dourian, Senior Editor, MEES; Jennifer Coolidge, Executive Director, CMX Caspian and Gulf Consultants Limited; Jens Zimmermann, Senior Analyst – Energy Markets Middle East, Wood Mackenzie.
Speaking about the current state of play, Nikki Mackay, Project Director, The Energy Exchange, said, “According to a 2013 Chatham House report, GCC countries now consume more primary energy than the whole of Africa. The region recognises the risks in the current system and the economic potential from new sectors and is addressing these issues through sustainability initiatives and strategic partnerships.
“With the involvement of the advisory board the 10th anniversary of the Summit covers the critical issues including a CEO symposium on advancing gas production and sustainability, an economist’s debate on the supply/ demand imbalance, plus sessions addressing gas pricing, technology, innovation, strategic partnerships and a regional project round up”.
Preceding the conference are two staggered workshops – one covering Gas Flaring and the other Unconventional Plays – offering participants the broadest coverage of gas issues in the region.
Nikki continued: “We are still inviting contributions from industry leaders who would like to participate in either the technical or strategic discussions at the 10th Gas Arabia Summit”.