Oman hosts Gas & LNG Middle East Summit

The prestigious Gas and LNG Middle East Summit opened here yesterday under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, with Oman LNG as the key sponsor. The Summit, a collaboration between Oman LNG and Wisdom Events, has attracted a large number of senior level executives and gas experts from the global gas industry.

In his welcoming note, Dr Al Rumhy described the Gas and LNG Summit as timely considering the growth in the gas and LNG industry as important commodities in the Middle East.

The whole region is now discussing the value and importance of gas and LNG, he said, noting that Oman has been blessed with new discoveries that bode well for the LNG business as well. He added that the Middle East will continue to be a major hub for gas and LNG in the coming years, citing “massive growth of LNG imports” especially in south-east Asia.

The conference provides an opportunity for officials, decisionmakers and specialists in the gas and LNG sectors to share knowledge, raise awareness and discuss the strategic options and solutions offered by natural gas suppliers and service providers in terms of sustainability of energy availability and its pivotal role in social and economic development.

The panel sessions provide an opportunity for government representatives and industry professionals to share knowledge, raise awareness and discuss technical enhancements and safety challenges related to this bourgeoning industry.

Holding an event of this magnitude enables the multitude of wonders Oman has in abundance — from its strategic geographic location, welldeveloped venues to the beautiful natural splendours this country boasts — to be showcased internationally.

With all eyes on the current economic shifts in the global oil and gas industry and numerous gas opportunities arising in this region, in the Sultanate of Oman in particular, the time could not be better to host this event in the region accompanied by reputable government and industry partners, and key gas experts.

“Over the course of the next few days, we look forward to learning from each other and sharing knowledge. With senior leaders, partners and experts in the gas industry here with us, we have an invaluable opportunity to discuss the role of natural gas today, and in the near future.

There is no doubt new insights and added-value will be brought to the global gas industry,” said Harib al Kitani, Chief Executive Officer of Oman LNG.

Oman supplies a critical three per cent of LNG to meet demand in international LNG trade and its volumes are pivotal in keeping the balance of supply and demand. The global liquefied natural gas market needs are expected to develop much faster than pipeline gas trade due to the flexible nature of liquefied natural gas and its accessibility to countries.

The LNG industry is also a significant contributor to a steadily increasing quality of life for citizens and residents in the Sultanate of Oman through its execution of a wide swath of social investment programmes that addresses many economic and social needs.

THE CONFERENCE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE, RAISE AWARENESS AND DISCUSS THE STRATEGIC OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS OFFERED BY NATURAL GAS SUPPLIERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY OF ENERGY AVAILABILITY AND ITS PIVOTAL ROLE IN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.