The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has lent its endorsement to the forthcoming International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC), taking place in Doha, Qatar. OPEC, a permanent inter-governmental organization made up of 12 oil-exporting countries, helps to coordinate and unify petroleum policies, ensuring stabilization of oil prices in international oil markets. Its endorsement of IPTC is significant to the success of the multi-disciplinary conference and exhibition. IPTC will provide the most thorough conference program available in the oil and gas sector, this year covering 58 technical sessions, four panels and high level plenary; the event is one of the few in the industry which offers an opportunity to participate in such comprehensive discussions. The theme of the fourth edition of the IPTC, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, is “World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment”. The event, which returns to the Middle East from Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and has now been established as a biennial event is also endorsed by the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). The 2009 IPTC exhibition, which runs alongside the conference on Dec. 7-9, 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. Major international oil giants ExxonMobil, Total and Shell, which are currently building some of the world's largest energy projects, are taking part in the IPTC exhibition to promote their Middle Eastern and global operations. Exhibitors and delegates will be given a unique opportunity to learn about Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL), the world's largest GTL plant, which will cement Qatar's position as the GTL capital of the world, as well as the Qatargas 4 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project, which will contribute to achieving Qatar's vision in becoming the world's largest LNG supplier. Organizations such as ADNOC, ARAMCO, Qatar Petroleum and Schlumberger are taking part in the 2009 IPTC exhibition to share their expertise with industry colleagues and highlight developments within their organizations. “IPTC's exhibition space has grown by 40 per cent since the inaugural event in 2005. This year the conference presentations and networking events will take place on the exhibition show floor, maximizing interaction among industry colleagues,” said Waleed Refaay, project director for IPTC 2009. “The 2009 IPTC exhibition represents a turning point in the dialogue between stakeholders in the oil and gas business, bringing together industry leaders and major companies with service providers and subcontractors. “The event is a collaborative effort from the world's leading oil and gas societies AAPG, EAGE, GPA, SEG and SPE, who are working together to make this the most successful IPTC yet. We are attracting the highest caliber delegates, including members from these societies, leveraging the quality of the IPTC to new heights.” New features to the exhibition will ensure it provides exhibitors and conference delegates the most comprehensive program yet. Country pavilions from China, Denmark, Italy, India, Malaysia and North America will provide insight to regional energy markets, upcoming projects, future trends and challenges. Furthermore, IPTC will offer dedicated exhibition space to draw attention to specific oil and gas issues. Pavilions for digital energy, gas processing, environmental and HSS, and university and academia will accommodate special activities in line with the industry segments. 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 organizers of IPTC 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 supported by its sponsors Qatar Petroleum, Total, ExxonMobil, Wintershall, RasGas, Shell, PETRONAS, BP, Kuwait Oil Company, Saudi Aramco, OXY, Baker Hughes and Schlumberger.
