Qatar Petroleum to participate in Oman’s largest oil and gas event
MUSCAT: State-owned national oil company Qatar Petroleum recently signed up with leading exhibitions and conferences organiser Omanexpo to participate in Oman Petroleum and Energy Show (OPES), the newly launched broader event, which integrates the long-established Oil & Gas West Asia (OGWA), the SPE Conference, Gas & LNG Show, Offshore & Marine Show and Stainless Steel World Middle East.
Qatar Petroleum, recognised as the third largest oil company in the world by oil and gas reserves in 2018, is participating in this landmark event for the sixth time, having made its maiden entry into the Oman market in 2008. Its participation in OPES reflects its aims to expand upstream footprint across the globe, create a large-scale value-adding international portfolio, and reinforce Qatar’s LNG and global gas position in the LNG arena.
Ashley Roberts, Portfolio Director, Omanexpo, says, “We are pleased to welcome Qatar Petroleum to OPES at a most propitious time in Oman due to the increasingly lucrative gas market and growing LNG demand worldwide. Along with this, Qatar Petroleum plays a valuable role in bringing its technical experience and expertise and helping to strengthen regional technical capability and capacity.”
Qatar Petroleum has signed an agreement in 2017 to acquire a 30 per cent share in the contractor’s interest under the exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) for Oman’s offshore Block 52, which covers a total area of over 90,000 square kilometres. This will be operated by Italian energy company Eni. Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP), the upstream investment arm of recently merged Oman Oil Company and Orpic Group, owns 15 per cent participating interest.
The Oman-Qatar Joint Committee session in June of this year, which centred on aspects of cooperation, particularly on investment projects, underlines the strong economic relations between the two countries. According to statistics, there was a 56 per cent increase in trade exchange during the first quarter of 2019 to QR2.1 billion compared to QR1.3 billion in 2018.
OPES anticipates higher numbers in the 2020 edition, with more than 500 exhibitors occupying the entire venue, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. Top names from the industry who have already signed up for the exhibition and are part of the sponsor roster are Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Schlumberger, BP, Oman LNG, Seven Seas Petroleum, ARA Petroleum, Abraj Energy and TMK, who will showcase the best of their products, services and technology to over 12,000 trade visitors.
OPES is happening from March 9 to 11, 2020 at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre and is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil and Gas.