GASTECH 2009 on track for success in Abu Dhabi

The high demand for space and the early delegate
registration levels for 24th International Conference and Exhibition for the LNG, LPG and Natural Gas Industries are proof of the continuing
importance of Gastech to the industry.

Gastech 2009 is being held 25-28 May in Abu Dhabi, UAE where it will be hosted by ADNOC & Group of Companies and staged at the new Abu Dhabi
National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

"With five months to go before Gastech opens, all the preparations are far advanced," explains Event Director, Tony Stephenson of dmg world
media (uk) ltd.

"We're looking forward to a highly successful event following in the footsteps of the record-breaking show held in early 2008 in Bangkok.

he added.

Our 2009 hosts, ADNOC, are working with us to ensure the success of this year's event being held in a key region for the global gas industry.

"The UAE has the second largest Arab economy in the Middle East and the highest GDP growth in the GCC region. Add to that Abu Dhabi's modern infrastructure and facilities that are driving vibrant economic investment in the region; the fact that Gastech is being held in the most modern exhibition centre in the world, and it is not surprising that exhibitors from 34 countries, including national pavilions from China, France, The Netherlands, Norway and the UK, rushed to book their space as soon as the venue for Gastech 2009 was announced."

The conference with its theme 'Gas: A Time of Change - A time for challenges, solutions and alternatives' is rapidly taking shape;.

Early confirmation of high profile speakers includes Faisal Al Suwaidi, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Qatargas Operating Company Ltd; Dr Jochen Weise, Member of the Board of Management, E.ON Ruhrgas AG; Philip Olivier, President & CEO, SUEZ Global LNG Ltd; Porter Bennett, CEO & President, BENTEK Energy LLC; Rajnish Goswami, Head of Asia, Middle East
- Gas & Power Consulting, Wood Mackenzie; Dr Fereidun Fesharaki, Chairman, FACTS Global Energy Group; and Frédéric Barnaud, President & Managing Director, Gazprom Global LNG.

"Our Programme Advisory Committee, comprised of key industry representatives, has been working to put together a compelling conference drawing from over 250 abstracts submitted," says Tony Stephenson. "I invite potential delegates to take advantage of the online early bird registration offer. Those registering at www.gastech.co.uk prior to 14 February save £200 on every place booked."

Innovative features and networking play crucial roles Once again Gastech has numerous special features ranging from the hosted buyers programme to the innovative and much appreciated 'Fuelling the Future' student programme aimed at attracting new blood to the industry; from the 'timeline' for the industry to a new feature area - 'Digital
Energy' - within the exhibition. All are designed to ensure that Gastech evolves to match and meet industry needs.

"I am delighted to say that ABS is again a key sponsor of this initiative," says Tony Stephenson. "Other sponsors of the programme
supported by SIGGTO, IMarEST, IChemE and IGEM include KBR, Nigeria LNG, Oman LNG, Qatargas and RasGas, who are able to select from over 200
students from around the world who have already registered on the 'Fuelling the Future' site.

"When it comes to social events, the show builds on its splendid track record and ensures that every evening there will be an invaluable and
enjoyable networking event bringing together an unprecedented gathering of key gas professionals from all over the world," he adds.

Looking back

Gastech 2008 held in Bangkok, Thailand in March 2008 attracted a record 11,497 unique attendees from 58 countries, a 107% increase on the attendance figure for Gastech 2006 which itself had broken all previous records. This meant 344 visitors came through the door every hour, and
with 50% claiming to have purchasing authority, that was six new buyers every minute.

Gastech has a long and distinguished history stretching back to 1972 and a reputation for attracting prime decision makers, indeed, 33% of
delegates at Gastech 2008 were Chairmen, Presidents, CEOs, COOs, Vice Presidents, Directors, or Managing Directors of organisations active in the gas industry. 91% of exhibitors agreed that Gastech was one of the best events of its kind in the industry, 92% rated the professionalism of the organisers as excellent or good.