Gastech 2006 - a resounding success

The total attendance in Bilbao at Gastech 2005 was approx 5400 - attendance at this year's event thus saw an increase of approximately a thousand individuals from the global industry.

Over 2100 of the total attendance registered to attend the conference. Gastech had already set new records as far as the exhibition was concerned with over 300 leading companies from 32 countries occupying more than 9050m2 (net) of space (1,900m2 more than at any previous Gastech). 1700m2 was taken by companies new to Gastech.

"We are delighted by this great success," said event director, Tony Stephenson of dmg world media. "This is a reflection of the quality of the event, and the hard work of our hosts ADNOC and its group of companies and co-hosts Dolphin Energy. It augurs well for the future of Gastech, the international exhibition and conference for the LNG, LPG and natural gas industries.

"We thank or host organisations, our sponsors and supporting organisations for all they did to make the event such a 'milestone' in gas industry history.

"We were honoured to receive visits from HH General HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; HE Mohamed bin Dhaen Al-Hamli, Minister of Energy (who also led our Ministerial and industry keynote addresses at the opening ceremony of Gastech); and HE Yousef bin Omair bin Yousef, CEO of ADNOC. Indeed on the final morning of the show the Minister of Energy returned to the event with the President of the Seychelles.

"It was marvellous to see such high level delegations visiting us," he added

New initiative fares well

One of the many new initiatives at Gastech 2006 was the Fuelling the Future initiative, which saw 92 students from 21 universities in eight countries (France, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Spain, UAE, UK and USA) benefiting from a specially tailored programme sponsored by Chevron, Dolphin Energy, ADNOC, Petroleum Institute, BP, Lloyd's Register, ABS and Gastech itself, coming to Gastech 2006.

The programme was designed to enable students to get an overview of the conference and the issues raised; experience the international exhibition; gain insights into the latest key projects; network with a range of international companies; and find out how to become part of the gas industry once they graduate later in the academic year.

Looking forward to Gastech 2008

"Now we look forward with enthusiasm to Gastech 2008, which will be held in Thailand in March 2008," says Tony Stephenson.

Record-breaking levels of exhibitors and delegates at Gastech 2006 have certainly whetted appetites for Gastech 2008, the 23rd International Conference and Exhibition for the LNG, LPG and Natural Gas Industries, which will be hosted by PTT Group and held in Bangkok, Thailand from 10-13 March 2008.

"We are delighted to be staging Gastech 2008 in Thailand, and have already seen a highly encouraging rate of space booking for the forthcoming event," says Tony Stephenson. "The Asia Pacific region has the largest population and contains some of the fastest growing economies in the world. With high demand on expensive oil imports and increasing consumption, the Ministry of Energy has accelerated the development of natural gas, revised laws to attract investors and implemented pro-active policies to promote the region as a strong alternative for gas exploration.

"Now playing a pivotal role in establishing Thailand's energy security, natural gas is the energy of choice for power generation; expanding rapidly into the fast growing industrial, transportation and petrochemical sectors. We know that this will ensure the continued and growing success of Gastech - as will the great help and assistance we are receiving from the PTT Group and from the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

"During Gastech 2006, the spectacular Wednesday evening 'Thailand - Glamorous Paradise' Gastech 2008 launch party showed their commitment and enthusiasm for the event; as did their large presence at the 2006 show which included their President, Prasert Bunsumpun speaking in the opening session of the conference; a large stand in the exhibition; flying in journalists to enable them to experience Gastech first hand; and also flying in dancers and craftsmen to take part in the launch party."

PTT is looking forward to the experience of hosting Gastech: "Acting as hosts to Gastech 2008 will enable us to strengthen our global natural gas networking right through the value chain from upstream down to end users," commented Prasert Bunsumpun, President of PTT. "We will be able to share new knowledge and technology to boost application efficiency as well as cost effectiveness.

"Our ultimate aim is to contribute value to both our national society and the wider international society; and to help relieve global climate change issues."

The Gastech flag was handed over by HE Abdulla Nasser Al-Suwaidi, Deputy CEO ADNOC to PTT during the spectacular Gastech 2008 evening launch party 'Thailand - Glamourous Paradise'. PTT chairman Cherdpong Sirivit; Chittrapongse Kwangsuksatit, Senior Executive Vice President for PTT's E&P and Gas Business Group; and Kajit Habanananda, Director General of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau received the flag.

Thailand's use of natural gas

The use of natural gas in Thailand has also extended into the commercial and residential sectors through the application of district cooling and cogeneration. In the transport sector, Thailand seeks an opportunity to use NGV (natural gas for vehicles) to reduce the impact of high oil prices. A planned re-gasification plant is also on track to receive LNG imports and will make Thailand attractive for gas suppliers worldwide.

Natural gas will continue to fuel the country's future growth and prosperity for many decades to come. Investments in new infrastructure and Thailand's strategic location between Middle Eastern and Asian countries place it perfectly as a regional energy hub.

"Of course, Thailand is also fast becoming the travel hub for the entire south-east Asia region," says Tony Stephenson. "We know that delegates and exhibitors alike will enjoy their time in Bangkok. Gleaming skyscrapers and designer boutiques stand beside floating markets and dazzling historical temples."

World Class Venue

Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) is Thailand's leading venue for international exhibitions and conferences, offering both exhibitors and visitors some of the finest facilities in the world.

Standing in the eastern sector of Bangkok, BITEC is strategically located on the first stage expressway system and has easy access to the pioneering BT Skytrain network; connecting all major hotels with business, shopping and entertainment centres.

Gastech 2008 aspirations

A superb highly relevant and topical conference; technical tours; social functions; the repeat of many Gastech 2006 initiatives such as the IT Zone, GasTV Live, meeting facilities, the Gastech Open Golf Tournament, poster sessions, and the student programme; will ensure a vibrant and successful Gastech 2008.