OGWA Exhibition and Conference this April to reflect growth of the oil and gas industry

"Space bookings for this year's exhibition have increased by over 20% compared to the 2004 edition of the event," said C.J. Paul, General Manager of Omanexpo, the company organising the show. "This clearly demonstrates the high regard that international contractors and suppliers give to Oman as a major market for oilfield services as well as products and technologies for the oil and gas industry."

Paul made the announcement during a press conference held at the Grand Hyatt Muscat and attended by all major media organizations in the sultanate. The press conference was also attended by Suleiman Al Harthy, OGWA Sales Director; Tom Myit, Conference Director; and Stefan Kemball, Adviser to Omanexpo.

Over 250 companies will be represented at the biennial event, with many more expected to sign up within the next few weeks. Alongside all major energy companies from Oman, OGWA 2006 will also feature exhibitors from Bahrain, UAE, China, Iran, India, Kuwait, Malaysia and Singapore.

Among the major players that will participate are Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Oman LNG, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Oman Refinery, Total, Occidental Oman, Dolphin Energy, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Reliance Industries, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and Petrofac.

"The strong response to OGWA 2006 is very encouraging," Paul added. "The large number of participating companies ensures that a full range of new products, projects, and technologies will be on display for the region's specifiers and equipment buyers".

Alongside the exhibition, OGWA 2006 will feature an international conference to be held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, right next to the exhibition centre. The two-day conference will primarily tackle upstream technologies, the range of opportunities in the region as proposed as the solutions to the energy challenges confronting Oman.

"The conference will be a lively discussion of the strategies currently being implemented in the region and other important issues that will shape the industry's future," said Tom Myit. "Industry professionals are invited to attend the conference to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the industry."