Abu Dhabi Chamber discusses prospects of economic and investment cooperation with the

attributed this leadership position to the foresight of the Founding Founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed, who recognized the enormous potential natural gas offered and the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection. "Our Founding Father Sheikh Zayed's commitment to the environment and truly sustainable development was the key driver. In 1973, at his direction, ADNOC stopped burning the associated gas from all its operations, and instead captured it and shipped it. Dr. Al Jaber pointed out that the country was the first in the region to stop flaring and find economic uses for gas, the first to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, the first to produce ultrasour gas at an industrial scale, and the first to store carbon dioxide (CO2) and use it in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to liberate more gas. The UAE is on track to achieve gas selfsufficiency as ADNOC leverages advanced technologies to expand into unconventional gas, tap into gas caps and unlock new reservoirs, as part of the company’s integrated gas strategy launched in 2018. Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al Jaber extended an open invitation for partnership in the UAE’s gas industry, noting that building strong partnerships across the world is one of the key principles for the UAE’s economic vision. "This has always been at the center of our approach to growth and it will remain the key to the future." During a tour of the exhibition, Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and several senior officials. Marking the start of three days of high-level industry discussions that will shape policies and strategies to support sustainable, long-term growth for the gas, LNG, hydrogen, and energy industry, Gastech 2021’s official opening ceremony also featured a Ministerial Panel in which Ministers from the world’s leading energy economies shared insights on the role of natural gas in the energy transition, future directions on how to create a hydrogen economy and what roadmaps are needed to meet the growing demand for energy and cleaner fuels. Mohammad Barkindo Sanusi, Secretary-General, OPEC, said: "We congratulate the UAE for hosting a global platform that gathers key industry players to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. The world will continue to consume energy, as by 2045 the demand on oil is expected to grow by 28 percent and on gas by 26 percent. The world needs continuous, predictable, and adequate investments in energy, particularly in oil and gas, which is irreplaceable because of the scale of its contribution to the global energy mix.''

''The global economy is expected to double by 2045 and the population will increase by 20 percent. This will require the investment community to invest in supporting the energy sector as there is no other resources available to cover more than 50 percent of what the market needs." The opening ceremony Ministerial Panel was the first of two on Gastech 2021’s opening day. The second Ministerial Panel focused on policies to support the rapid expansion of the hydrogen supply chain. Gastech 2021, which is being supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, marks the first time the global gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry has been able to meet live and in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In keeping with Gastech 2021’s main theme ''Leading the Net-Zero Agenda'', policy makers and business leaders from the global gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry also took part in a series of discussions focused on decarbonisation, investment, hydrogen and technology. Among the topics discussed were how organisations will need to work across multiple sectors to deliver on their low carbon commitments; financing future gas projects during the transition to Net Zero energy; integrating hydrogen into the existing energy ecosystem and how technology can drive the NetZero agenda. Taking place over three days, the Gastech Strategic Conference will bring together over 300 government ministers, energy industry leaders, policymakers, and key customers to map out a future low-emission landscape. Key topics to be discussed include decarbonisation and emissions management; financing and project investment; adapting business models in a post-COVID world; integrated energy suppliers; gas and LNG supply and demand dynamics; the potential for hydrogen to play a key role during the energy transition; diversification of the future workforce; trading, contracting and pricing. Simultaneously, the Gastech Technical Conference features five learning streams – Hydrogen; Marine; EPC and Project; Processing and AI and Technology. The programme will provide multiple opportunities for working professionals to learn from over 300 of the world's leading energy engineers as they present the latest technological breakthroughs and market opportunities for the industry. Gastech 2021 is co-hosted by ADNOC, Shell, and Venture Global LNG. Before it closes on Thursday, September 23, Gastech 2021 will be attended by more than 15,000 attendees including senior decisionmakers and energy industry thought leaders, and 250 exhibiting companies. Taking place alongside Gastech 2021 is the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE).