Oil & Gas West Asia 2008 to feature major players in oil & gas industry

"OGWA 2008 is shaping up to the biggest ever gathering in Oman of oil & gas industry professionals as the number of participating companies this year is already much higher than in previous editions of the event," said C.J. Paul, general manager of Omanexpo LLC, the leading exhibition management company in the sultanate.

Paul explained that the strong response to OGWA can be attributed mainly to the ongoing heightened exploration and production activities in Oman, resulting in major opportunities for all companies directly serving the industry and increasing the demand for oilfield equipment, services and technologies.

First held in 1998, OGWA is the only major event in Oman for the vibrant oil & gas industry throughout the region. The three-day international exhibition showcases the products, operations as well as accomplishments of oil & gas companies, and it provides industry professionals with an opportunity to network with their peers and learn about the latest developments in the industry.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Oil & Gas, OGWA 2008 is officially supported by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) as well as BG Oman as the platinum sponsor, BP Oman as the gold sponsor, and Oman LNG and Sharaf Shipping Agency as the co-sponsors. The exhibition also has the backing of leading media companies including Pipeline Magazine as the official publication, MEED as the strategic partner, and Oil Review Middle East as the official magazine.

In addition to the sponsors, the major exhibitors at OGWA 2008 will include national oil & gas companies such as Qatar Petroleum and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Among the other companies that will have a strong presence in the exhibition are Occidental of Oman, Dolphin Energy, the Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company, Total S.A., MB Petroleum, Petrofac, Weatherford, Abraj Energy Services, PTTEP Oman, Emarat UAE, and Oman Oilfields Supply Centre.

All in all, with still three months to go before the exhibition, more than 60 companies have already signed up for OGWA 2008. The list of exhibitors also includes the Arabian Pipes, Intertek, Lufkin, Oman Gas Company, International Business Development, Atlas Copco, Barton Firtop, Expro, Shams Engineeering, Safwan Petroleum, Borsig, Peaceland Trading & Energy, Pioneer Oilfield Enterprises, Vanguard, Mudhaher Establishment, Pars Hassas, Arabian Pipecoating, Development Services, Elaf International, Seven Seas Petroleum, Mott MacDonald, Globetech, PCM Oil & Gas, Riyam Engineering, OOISS, and Al Baha International. The countries that will be represented in the exhibition include India, Iran, Germany, Italy, Russia, China, Egypt, the UK, USA, and all members of the GCC.