Adipec gets under way in Abu Dhabi today
abu dhabi — The global oil and gas industry is undergoing a profound change and organisations are investing in innovation and technology to ensure sustainable, long-term growth, says Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO of Al Yasat Petroleum Operating Company.
Speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec 2017), which opened on Monday, Al Shamsi said: “Increasing investments by national oil companies [NOCs] in the downstream sector is a key example as resource owners move to access value throughout the value chain. Within this environment, Adipec continues to evolve, providing a knowledgesharing platform for the industry’s most influential decision makers, playing a significant role in guiding the industry forward.”
The 20th edition of the event is set to welcome thousands of oil and gas professionals, industry leaders and decision makers. Held under the theme ‘Forging Ties, Driving Growth’, the event will be the largest yet, with an exhibition bringing together more than 2,200 exhibiting companies, 27 country pavilions, and 100,000 trade professionals from more than 125 countries. The exhibition will span 135,000sqm of floor space, including a dedicated quay-side exhibition area with tours of offshore vessels.
At the same time, Adipec’s strategic and technical conference programmes will feature more than 900 speakers in 185 conference sessions, with around 10,000 delegates taking part. For the first time, the exhibition and conference will also include the downstream petroleum industry, including refining and petrochemicals, alongside its established focus on upstream and midstream businesses.
Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and organised by dmg events, Adipec will commence with the official keynote presentations by Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Adnoc Group CEO; Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy; Mohammed Barkindo, secretary-general of Opec; and Lord Jim O’Neill, former Commercial Secretary, HM Treasury, UK Government.
Topics will reflect the two elements of the Adipec 2017 theme. For ‘Forging Ties’, the emphasis will be on fostering relationships and creating business models for success, while for ‘Driving Growth’, CEO speakers will focus on pioneering strategies and breaking boundaries for global success.
For members of the Middle East Petroleum Club — the exclusive venue for VIP attendees, including senior government and business figures at Adipec — Barkindo will also launch the 2017 World Oil Outlook. The comprehensive report, now it its 11th edition, will offer a thorough assessment of the trends and challenges for the medium and long-term development of the industry.
In the evening, the annual Adipec Awards will announce the 2017 winners of the accolades, which recognise individuals, companies and projects that demonstrate excellence, best practice and innovation in energy from around the globe.