Technology key to energy development

The energy industry is combining cutting-edge technologies and best practices in order to maximise its development of resources, according to experts set to meet in Dubai next month at the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC).

Over one-third of the sessions in the conference's technical programme will be given over to the management of reservoirs, with a view to maximising fossil fuel extraction by sharing insights and case studies. Conference delegates will learn from examples drawn from professional practice across the globe.

'The global energy industry continues to innovate, as demonstrated by a huge number of reservoir-themed presentations and by the enthusiasm for reservoir technology, measurement and management at IPTC,' said Marc M. Duran. Durandeau, Geosciences Manager - U.A.E., Total S.A., and IPTC Reservoir Subcommittee Co-Chairperson.

'Bringing together many of the world's foremost reservoir experts is also a forum from which to address public concerns with sustainability, not least by using oil recovery,'

added Durandeau.

Enhanced oil recovery techniques pump substances - typically gas - into oil reservoirs to increase flow and greatly increase capture, allowing for the exploitation a greater proportion of the contents of each reservoir. One exciting prospect is the use of carbon dioxide to increase oil flows, which would simultaneously direct the CO2 away from the atmosphere, reducing global warming.

Public concerns with sustainable development underline the importance of seeking new energy supplies while working to ensure that their detection and extraction is done in a responsible manner. By gathering reservoir specialists, the conference organisers will facilitate a sharing of best practices by experts from across the energy sector.

IPTC: A Changing World - Interdependence, Innovation and Implementation, the world's foremost technical conference, will take place 4-6 December 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.