Operational Excellence Middle East Forum Agenda Focuses on Managing Volatility And Embracing Change in The Oil And Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry today faces the major challenge of remaining profitable in the face of volatility. Recent events in Iraq have highlighted the need for flexible and fluid operational structures that take into account shifting circumstances, which in turn can affect production and profitability. Developing and implementing an operational excellence programme that promotes communication and integration can help effectively manage unpredictability and embrace change.

Keeping this in mind, National Oil Companies in the Middle East are seeking to reinvigorate their operating structures, develop their own intuitive operational excellence programmes and at the same time are expecting as much of their partners and suppliers. Held under the patronage of the National Oil and Gas Authority of Bahrain, the Operational Excellence Middle East forum aims at discussing these points in practical terms.

Speaking about the programme’s rationale, Maxwell Thompson, Head of Content, The Energy Exchange, said: “In order to stay at the forefront of both technical and strategic innovation the energy industry must continually explore new and better ways of structuring and managing their operations. Today, most International Oil Companies, National Oil Companies and many other energy companies have management systems in place that reflect their own objectives for excellence. However, this is merely the first step in the journey. Breakthrough performance depends on how well you embed the system, how you instill a culture of operational excellence throughout your work force, and most importantly the continuous improvement of that system.”

The first day of the conference will be opened with an official address given by H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and Minister in Charge of Oil & Gas Affairs for the Kingdom of Bahrain. This will be followed by an industry panel that will address the drivers for operational excellence throughout the region exploring the validity and applicability of international models.

The second day will focus on the key components of operational excellence: leadership, people and change before addressing the fundamental applications for maintenance, reliability and risk.

A one-day pre–conference master class will provide a practical and interactive demonstration of various approaches within operational excellence that have been successfully employed and delivered sustainable benefits.

The conference will have speaking representatives from all the GCC nations attending including the Bahrain Petroleum Company, Oman Oil Company, Qatar Gas, Petrochemical Industries Company, ENOC, Petro Rabigh, GPIC and more. International oil companies who will be sharing their practical experiences include Maersk Oil and Imperial Oil, as well as leading technology providers and management consultants such as Dupont, Honeywell, Petro IT and EC Harris.

Organised by The Energy Exchange and World Refining Association the second edition of Operational Excellence Middle East forum will be taking place at the Intercontinental Regency Hotel in Manama from the 28-30 September.