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With over 200 exhibitors and top drawer speakers Oil and Gas Middle East previews the Saudi Oil and Gas Exhibition (SAOGE 2009) so you don’t miss a thing
The Saudi Oil and Gas Exhibition (SAOGE) is the biggest oil and gas event in the Kingdom. Hosted by Saudi Aramco, the event is held in Dammam on November 1-3. The event is in its second year, having attracted over 5,600 visitors in its first.
A three day conference will run in tandem with the exhibition, with high profile figures speaking. Among the confirmed speakers are Lord Digby Jones, former UK minister of state for trade & investment and Dr Randy Gossen, president of the World Petroleum Council. Topics being discussed include a look at new ventures, a regional outlook, challenges and innovative technologies in exploration and production and technical sessions on subjects such as production and drilling.
“We are delighted in the interest that the event is experiencing. It is only the second time it has been held and we are 20% up on last year’s figures. Over 70% of the companies have returned, which is an especially good achievement given the current economic worldwide climate, which seems not to be affecting this year’s show,” says Piero Zipoli, president of SAOGE organisers, IES.
“The growth is a reflection of international companies recognising that if they are to enhance their business opportunities with Saudi Arabia, they need to be in Dammam in order to meet with potential partners and clients.”
More than 200 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation at the event, from 25 different countries. Other key themes which will be raised during this year’s conference agenda are the impact and challenge of decreasing oil prices and the exploration potential for oil and gas in the Middle East, alternative energy and sustainability, what is the right energy mix and the development and improvement of technologies for current E&P projects.
The host of the event, Saudi Aramco, is the biggest oil company in the world and is responsible for 99% of the Kingdom’s oil assets.
Companies attending the exhibition will be able to take advantage of many benefits while at the show, states Zipoli.
“Attendees have the opportunity to meet international companies under one roof at the same time. Normally to meet the same amount of people, it would take a lot of time and expense. There are also extensive networking opportunities through attending the social events, the exhibition and the conference, which can ultimately lead to a lot of new business for a company,” Zipoli concludes.
Top 3 Saudi Aramco projects
Khurais Oilfield Expansion
Khurais is the key component of Saudi Arabia’s bid to boost oil production by an extra 2 million bpd.
Manifa Offshore Oilfield
Aramco’s offshore filed is undergoing a makeover with massive offshore dredging and construction drafted in to boost production.
Shaybah Phase 2 Expansion
Huge undertaking to give Shaybah an output capacity of 750 000 bpd. The project is only 10km from the Abu Dhabi border, 40kms from Liwa.
Jubail Export Refinery
The refinery is set to process Arabian heavy crude and have a capacity of 400,000bpd. The estimated cost stands at US$ 9.6 billion and is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Total.
Manifa Offshore Oilfield
The US $11 billion Manifa (also known as Moneefa) project will be Saudi Aramco’s largest offshore field when fully operation and will add 900,000 bpd of extra capacity to Saudi Arabia’s oil output. Production is due to start mid 2011.
SAOGE 2009
This year’s SAOGE event will be an international event on many levels and is expected to attract thousands of visitors and exhibitors from abroad,
The Saudi market is one of enormous interest to the whole of the oil and gas industry, and Piero Zipoli, president of SAOGE organisers, IES, believes this may be a factor in the show’s continued success.
“The Saudi market is the one facing fewer problems. This I believe is the reason why SAOGE is experiencing great success. Companies are very interested in the Saudi market and many of them are coming to Saudi Arabia for the first time,” Zipoli states.
“This year we have a great participation from international companies. Almost 70% of the exhibitors taking part in SAOGE are foreign companies, this demonstrates that the market is still very interesting, otherwise they would have not been exhibiting,” he adds.
Companies will be participating in the event from countries such as Austria, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, UK, USA and a sizeable number of Middle eastern countries.
“Several key decision makers and industry professionals have already confirmed their attendance for the sell-out event and we look forward to the continued success on behalf of the industry,” Zipoli concludes.
Don’t miss!
Saudi Aramco, the host of the event, was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Dharan, Saudi Arabia. Its name has become completely synonymous with oil and gas in the Kingdom. The firm’s estimated revenues in 2007 stood at US$2.16 trillion and it exported
2.5 billion barrels of crude oil in 2008. Its major oilfields include Ghawar, Safaniya, Khurais and Shaybah. The Aramco stand is just on the right as you enter the main exhibition halls. CEO Khalid Al-Falih will be speaking at the show. Definitely worth dropping by.
The firm is currently undergoing a huge expansion plan, which has attracted criticism from some quarters of the industry. President and CEO of Aramco, Khalid Al-Falih refuted the accusations saying: “We are well aware of the state of the global economy, and have felt the impact of the present downturn along with the rest of the petroleum industry. But we are investing throughout the business cycle, consistent with our long-term focus.”
Key figures
39.98% The percentage of oil supply in the Middle East that Saudi Arabia will provide by 2013, according to forecasts.
386 billion the amount, in cubic metres, of natural gas Saudi Arabia consumed in 2008.
18.2% percentage increase forecasted for Saudi’s oil production in between 2008 and 2018.
21.03% the percentage of oil demand in the Middle East that is accounted for by Saudi Arabia by 2013.
Conference highlights
• The opening ceremony will feature a speech from Lord Digby Jones, Minister of State for Trade & Investment, UK – July 2007 to October 2008.
• The first panel session will consider the impact and challenge of decreasing oil prices and the exploration potential for oil and gas in the Middle East. The panel will consider where future opportunities lie.
• Day two will see a technical session focusing on production and drilling. Topics include the value of dynamic modeling and simulation as a foundation for an operator training system.
• Day three features two ‘industry meets university’ sessions in which students from KSA universities will interact with oil and gas professionals.
SAOGE 2009: Key exhibitor profiles
Pittsburgh Corning Foamglas
Pittsburgh Corning operates in high performance insulation technology and applied solutions for a wide range of process industries. The firm has had ongoing business in the Saudi oil, gas and petrochemical industries for many years.
Steven Oslica, director of marketing at Pittsburgh Corning Foamglas, explains his firm’s Saudi presence: “We currently have an office in the Middle East and our hope is that office will grow in scope and presence as we continue our successful business within this important region. We expect to continue to invest in our company’s future with increased emphasis on our Saudi business.”
Well Control School
Well Control School provides instructor led and e-Learning competency based well control training with IADC and IWCF accreditations.
“Our future plans are to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia,” reveals Barry Cooper, business development manager of Well Control School.
Cooper believes training is key in the country “The major challenge in Saudi Arabia is for companies to provide competently skilled personnel to operate the drilling rigs.”
Leviton
Leviton Manufacturing provides rugged, electrical connectors and switches ranging from 15Amp to 1135Amp for land-based oil rigs.
The lower amperage connectors, receptacles, and switches are used in the operations cabins and for cord connected repair yard equipment.
Melissa Martin, director, business development Leviton, reveals: “We supply Rhino-Hide 49 Series connectors to both existing and new land based oil rig installations. Leviton is also supplying NEMA standard receptacles, plugs, connectors, and switches to both commercial and residential construction projects accompanying new petrochemical installations by both ARAMCO and SABIC.”
She added that this event will be an important opportunity for the Saudi Arabia oil and gas industry to learn more about electrical technology developments which can help international companies in the country operate more safely and with a lot more efficiency.
GE Oil & Gas
The oil and gas business of GE is headquartered in Florence, Italy and delivers products and service offerings to the oil and gas industry.
It boasted a 2008 revenue of US$7.4 billion and currently employs more than 12 000 people worldwide.
