Shell Kuwait sponsors Gas Field Development Symposium

The event will showcase Shell's extensive expertise of applying advanced and innovative technologies to support the development of gas fields for meeting the rising energy and environmental challenges.

Amidst current global economic challenges, the emerging market of gas has gained tremendous public and market recognition in recent years as a clean source of energy which is expected to fill the void between energy supply and demand. With the theme of "Gas Discoveries and Production from Prospects to Consumption", the symposium is aimed at deliberating the essential needs of and requirements for the implementation of innovative and new technologies. Shell's strategy is directed towards the fundamental approach to achieve economic success by optimizing recovery, reducing costs and finding additional sources of hydrocarbons in Kuwait.

Shell Kuwait Country Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Mouti said:

"Shell is delighted to be the principal sponsor and an active participant in such an important conference that has a great deal of significance to our economy and our daily lives. As one of the world's leading oil companies, Shell is dedicated to meeting the rising demands of today's energy related challenges that pose a threat to the continued economic and environmental development."

Mouti noted that the symposium intends to disseminate information and to serve as an exchange forum among oil industry engineers, scientists, students, administrators and economists. It will also provide a unique opportunity to discuss challenges and new trends in gas production technologies in the Gulf region.

During her key note speech, Lynda Armstrong, Vice President Technical, Solutions, Shell International Exploration and Production, highlighted the importance of technical and operational challenges associated with the sour nature of the gas stream, by outlining the developments that are being introduced to the market in this period of time.

Meeting the increasing global challenges will require innovation and investment in both technology and people. The integration of innovative technology with strong operational experience will provide the technical solution to meet future global demand for oil and gas. The development of new capabilities and skills will be crucial to the successful deployment of these technologies.

Technical Saftey Manager, Abi Blyth emphasized during her speech on managing health, safety, and environment in Design and Operation for Sour Gas Facilities, the importance of effort that is required to reduce personnel exposure, either through minimum intervention or by plant spacing to reduce the impact of a gas escape.

Factors that hinder the process include very high costs associated with corrosion-resistant materials, maintainability hindrance associated with removal of leak sources, availability losses imposed by prohibiting online maintenance costs and operability difficulties associated with large-scale plant spacing.

Shell's sponsorship and participation mirrors its initiatives towards its partners in providing technical support to help improve reliability and energy efficiency through using its latest technologies in order to protect the environment.