Record number of paper submissions for IPTC

With 1,128 papers submitted, the highest amount ever to be received in the history of the IPTC, the programme committee selected nearly 600 papers, representing 130 companies from 35 countries.

The select committee, which includes some of the world's foremost leaders in the oil and gas sector, set high selection criteria for the papers, as part of their efforts to make the conference a must-attend event for everyone working in the industry.

Khalid Al-Hitmi, Manager Gas Development at Qatar Petroleum and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme, said:

"The response has been unprecedented and we applaud our industry colleagues for making such a valuable contribution to the development of the oil and gas sector."

"The conference is an important date in the calendar, coming to the Middle East only every two years. All 52 technical topics we initially proposed for the event will be addressed and due to the calibre of the papers, we have added a further six technical discussions so that delegates truly get the most out of the conference," added Al-Hitmi.

"The conference programme will focus on the dissemination of new and current technology, best practices and multi-disciplinary activities, designed to emphasise the importance of the value chain and the maximisation of asset value," said Olivier Dubrule, Director of Total Research Centre - Qatar (TRC-Q) and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.

The fourth edition of the IPTC, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, is on target to be the biggest and most comprehensive yet. The 2009 exhibition, running alongside the conference, will feature seven national pavilions including China, Denmark, India, Italy, Malaysia, North America and Norway, as well as dedicated environmental, health and safety and intelligent energy pavilions.

The event has been given a further boost from the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), which has pledged its full support and endorsement. Taking place under the theme of 'World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment', IPTC is the first event ever to receive such backing from OAPEC.

IPTC has also gained the support of sponsors; the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the Gas Processors Association (GPA), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

The conference will provide a platform for the world's leading oil and gas professionals to address their colleagues. Andrew Gould, Chairman and CEO of Schlumberger, will be joined by Olivier Appert, Chairman and CEO of Institute Français du Pêtrole, Rich M. Kruger, President of ExxonMobil Production Company and Saad Al-Kaabi, Director of Oil and Gas Ventures for Qatar Petroleum.

Returning to the region from the 2008 edition held in Kuala Lumpur, the IPTC has now been established as a biennial event and will be held in alternative years between the Middle East and Asia.

One of the most comprehensive events of its kind, the IPTC, taking place at the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, will include features such as an awards ceremony to celebrate the oil and gas industry's successes, educational field trips, an exhibition, young professionals' workshop and a social programme for delegates' partners.

Industry professionals who are interested in booking delegate and exhibition spaces are being encouraged to act now to take advantage of discounted rates and accommodation the organisers of IPTC have arranged in Qatar.