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"With its theme 'Gas: a time of change. A time for challenges, solutions and alternatives' ours is very much a conference of its time, taking a realistic view of the current market and moving things on with dynamic sessions in the commercial, technical and focus tracks," says Event Director, Tony Stephenson of dmg world media (uk) ltd. "In registering, many of our international delegates are telling us how important they feel it is to use Gastech to meet colleagues and suppliers face-to-face. We already have delegates registered from 40 countries who are looking forward to getting down to discussing those challenges and coming up with innovative solutions in this time of change.
"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. We look forward to welcoming these business leaders to Gastech 2009."
Relevant and topical conference:
The four-day programme, with over 100 speakers from 25 countries, encompasses highly relevant and topical presentations. Following the opening ceremony held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates the commercial plenary session will look at 'World Recession, World Gas - Where in the World are we Going?' while the technical stream will be considering the vital issue of 'Safety and Training for Ship and Shore Operations'. The first day closes with the official Gastech Welcome Reception hosted by ADNOC and group of Companies and being held at the Emirates Palace.
Day Two's commercial stream will look at 'Natural Gas and LNG Projects'; and 'Middle East - Exporter or Importer'; while its technical counterpart considers 'LNG, LPG and Chemical Gas Shipping'; and 'Gas Processing and Utilization' and the focus stream has sessions on 'New Commercial Frontiers and Challenges' and 'Environmentally Friendly Technologies'. A lunchtime Poster Session is a feature of both Days Two and Three; and Day Two ends with the official Gastech Delegate and Exhibitor Party sponsored by Chevron Global Gas.
'Trading Models in the Gas Business' and 'Finance and Legal Matters' are the topics being addressed in the commercial stream on Day Three, while 'Floating Production Facilities: Hype or Reality?' and 'Advances in Key Enabling Technologies - Onshore and Offshore' come under the conference spotlight in the technical stream in a day that culminates in the launch party for the next Gastech.
A high level 'Regional Perspectives' session is a focal point of the final day of Gastech 2009, when senior industry players from Europe, Asia, South America, UK, Middle East and North America update delegates on activities in their area in the global industry. This is followed by the now-traditional Gastech Perspective session, when a panel of industry experts looks back over the highlights of the previous three days; and is followed by the Awards Ceremony at the final delegate lunch.
The Conference Chairman's view:
Conference Co-Chair, Paul Young, Chief Marketing Officer, Exmar NV shares Tony Stephenson's views about the valuable role Gastech plays: "In my travels around the world, I am often told that as a response to the current economic crisis many companies and institutions are cutting budgets," says Paul Young. "I respond by saying "can you think of a more effective way to utilise your travel budget than to come to the Gastech event that aggregates all your competitors, customers, and suppliers in one unique four-day forum?". This industry will survive by placing even more importance on partnerships and alliances - and Gastech is a unique platform to reconfirm existing alliances and more importantly form new ones."
"Unprecedented shifts in the paradigm of how our industry works and the global implications mean that we can focus on developments in multiple papers in sessions ranging from the scene setting Plenary Session on World Gas, to sessions such as 'New Commercial Frontiers and Challenges' where delegates will find answers to how rapid advances in technology are putting coal bed methane and shale gas into serious economic play against LNG."
"Whether it be for regasification or the push for liquefaction in offshore and floating environments, the sharp drop in commodity prices, and indeed costs and lead times for materials and equipment, are forcing a rethink as to how to approach these two important components critical to the validity and viability of LNG, and there are intentionally provocative sessions such as Day Three technical session entitled 'Floating Production Facilities - Hype or Reality?' For those in the industry looking to adapt and to grow their companies in the current environment - this has to be a must attend event."
IOCs versus NOCs:
As Paul Young explains: "At the last Gastech we very much enjoyed discussing the concept of IOCs versus NOCs - in terms of how future gas assets are developed and monetized. But the world has changed - are we now heading back to financially strong IOCs being again welcomed back as partners for the NOCs?" he asks. "Will future gas projects also need the support of a fixed buyer or offtaker to facilitate the financing of the ventures? Walking the halls of the Gastech Exhibition may provide some of these answers.
"As usual Gastech supports strong sessions on LNG and LPG shipping, because ships are in fact the floating pipelines of our industry," he adds. "This year too we have a strong panel in the 'Trading Models in the Gas Business' session including key panellists from Gazprom, RWE, Suez Global LNG, and Repsol, which will provide insight on how they see their companies adapting to the changing LNG patterns."
Views echoed by fellow Conference Co-Chair:
Paul Young's views are echoed by fellow Conference Co-Chair, Chris Clucas, Group Fleet Director (Gas), Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, who explains: "The new economic climate poses many fundamental questions for the gas business. While gas prices are inevitably linked to the prices of crude oil, the gas industry has a fundamentally different structure in terms of development and returns.
"The 2009 Conference offers people from both technical and commercial backgrounds the opportunity to hear about the latest developments - for example advances in shipping, gas processing, environmentally-friendly technologies and key enabling technologies.
"Much of the industry's recent focus has been on developing stranded gas reserves, where 'mega LNG plants' are simply not feasible. This has resulted in the development of floating LNG production and regasification projects, and several are now on order. Undoubtedly many Gastech delegates will be in Abu Dhabi to hear about the latest developments in this fast-developing area of the gas industry.
"In addition to the Paper programme, the Gastech Exhibition will enable delegates to see an exceptionally large range of gas equipment on display. The programme is completed by Poster sessions and 'Fuelling the Future', a special programme for Students.
"Like Gastech, Abu Dhabi is at the very centre of the world's energy business - and it is very fitting that the 2009 Gastech Conference will be held in this key location. We look forward to seeing you there."
Siba Sami Ammari
