Energy sector leaders convene in Doha to discuss world energy challenges

The International Petroleum and Technology Conference (IPTC), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, will act as a platform to address the major implications the global economic crisis has had on the world's energy sector and to find solutions.

The theme for the fourth edition of the IPTC, taking place from 7 to 9 December 2009, is 'World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment'. His Highness Sheikh Hamad will be joined in opening the conference and exhibition by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry for Qatar.

The opening executive plenary session, on Monday 7 December, will focus on how the sector's leaders can mitigate the negative effects of global economic and political volatility, and how the financial crisis can be turned into an opportunity for the industry to devote resources to increase efficiency in the production and use of fossil fuels.

Delegates will be called upon to confirm their commitment to explore more efficient ways to produce energy and cleaner fuels to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions, as well as stimulate discussions on investing in new extraction and processing technologies in order to exploit unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

Furthermore, the discussions will address sustainable energy solutions and stable investment conditions, particularly from more difficult and unconventional resources, and the need to recruit and retain skilled and experienced people.

"In light of the global economic crisis, the energy sector is entering a new phase of its growth and we are all facing huge challenges," said Khalid Al-Hitmi, Manager Gas Development at Qatar Petroleum and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.

"An industry event such as the IPTC, one of the few multi-disciplinary events of its kind in this region, helps our colleagues come together to discuss how we face these challenges and more importantly, devise strategies to overcome them."

"We have seen a dramatic reduction in hydrocarbon prices which has led to the reconsideration of investment conditions. Yet we know there is a long-term energy demand which will continue to surge as the global population grows beyond 7bn and standards of living in China and India continue to rise."

said Olivier Dubrule, Director of Total Research Centre - Qatar (TRC-Q) and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.

"These factors all combine to make this one of the most exciting phases of the energy sector's development and the outcomes from the IPTC will have global resonance."

The IPTC, which returns to the Middle East from Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and has now been established as a biennial event is endorsed by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). It is the only event in the region organised and supported by all of the oil and gas industry's leading societies.

Four panel sessions will take place during the event to address important industry issues.

The themes are:
- Environmental solutions and sustainability (flaring reduction, CCS, drilling technology, efficiency improvement)
- Global workforce capability and capacity
- Global gas outlook: new gas chains
- Renewal of reserves: exploration, improved recovery and unconventional

The 2009 IPTC exhibition, which runs alongside the conference from 7-9 December, will offer industry professionals from around the world a platform to showcase the latest technology, services and products to a targeted oil and gas audience.

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 in Qatar, arranged by the organisers of IPTC. More information can be found at www.iptcnet.org/2009.

In addition to OPEC and OAPEC, IPTC is endorsed by the International Association of Drilling Contractors, International Gas Union, Qatar Geological Society, Qatar Society of Engineers, and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers.

IPTC is hosted by Qatar Petroleum, co-hosted by Total, and supported by its sponsors ExxonMobil, Wintershall, RasGas, Shell, PETRONAS, BP, Kuwait Oil Company, Saudi Aramco, OXY, Qatar Gas, Baker Hughes and Schlumberger.