ADIPEC 2013 to Feature First Ever Business Conference

Conference to Focus on Strategic Business Opportunities across Global Gas and Oil Frontiers

Industry Leaders and CEOs Confirmed to Headline Inaugural Event

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 15 September, 2013 – The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) today announced its upcoming 16th edition will include a business conference that will bring together the entire gas and oil strategic value chains for the first time. In its debut edition at ADIPEC, the business conference will take place on the first two days of the main exhibition and conference – 10 and 11 November – at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). 

Through a series of panel sessions and strategic presentations, where delegates and global industry leaders will share knowledge and experience, the business conference will explore a range of commercial topics, including the successful monetisation of new global gas and oil frontiers on the East African continent, Central Asia and Australia, through to future Indian and Chinese oil demands, Iraq's potential to be a game changer for global oil production and mature gas field management strategies in the Middle East and further afield.
 
In addition, experts from the world's largest gas and oil companies will debate issues related to the development of a global energy workforce, focussing on topics such as succession planning, employee retention, and creating and increasing in-country value. 

Under the theme ‘Energy for all in a Changing World', ADIPEC 2013 will take place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

Mohammed A. Sahoo AlSuwaidi, Director, Gas Directorate – ADNOC, Chairman – ADIPEC 2013 Conference, said: “The business conference is a critical new addition to what is the biggest hydrocarbon event in the region. With the business landscape for gas and oil undergoing a phase of evolution, the creation of a platform that allows for knowledge transfer between leading industry strategists will enable businesses to stay ahead of the curve and maximise potential opportunities.

“Several high-profiled and respected international CEOs have already confirmed participation in the discussions and we are confident that the business conference will serve as one of the most important components of this year's ADIPEC.” 

A ministerial panel, at which policy leaders will debate topics such as future energy security and the need for robust domestic energy policies to stablise local supply with international demand, underscores the importance of the conference and of Abu Dhabi's role as both a global energy hub, and a seat of intellectual debate for the industry's most influential executives.

More than 30 global and regional business leaders and government ministers are set to speak at the conference. The global executives already confirmed to participate are:

• Bob Dudley, CEO, BP
• Toshiaki Kitamura, President and CEO, International Petroleum Exploration Corporation (INPEX)
• Hirobumi Kawano, President, Japan Oil, Gas Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)
• Moon Kyu Suh, President and CEO, Korea National Oil Company (KNOC)
• Maurizio La Noce, CEO, Mubadala Petroleum 
• Yousuf Al Ojaili, CEO, Oman Gas Company (OGC)
• Ayman Asfari, Group Chief Executive, PETROFAC
• Igor Sechin, President and CEO, ROSNEFT
• Peter Voser, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell
• Abdelhamid Zerguine, CEO, SONATRACH
• Helge Lund, CEO, Statoil
• Carl Sheldon, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA)
• Christophe de Margerie, CEO, TOTAL

Claire Pallen, ADIPEC 2013 conference director, said: “The Middle East is an international focal point for the hydrocarbon industry – a fact that is reflected in the strong attendance list for our first business conference. However, given the commonality of the business challenges and opportunities, the content of the discussions will be entirely relevant to industry executives and policy makers from all markets across the world.

“We look forward to meaningful discussions that offer global decision makers a competitive advantage and we urge regional decision makers and industry professionals to participate in this important debate.”

Now an annual event, ADIPEC's new-look will include an expanded technical conference and offer a broader focus on the role of women in the gas and oil industry. The agenda also includes the addition of ‘Young ADIPEC' – a comprehensive programme designed to encourage the industry's future leaders through initiatives and workshops that will run before, during and in the aftermath of the event. 
For more information about ADIPEC or to book a place at the event, go to www.adipec.com.