Nick Coles, director of Dome Exhibitions, looks back over the history of the SOGAT event and tells Oil & Gas Middle East what attendees can expect from this year’s edition
“SOGAT was created out of a request from ADNOC in the late nineties for training in sulphur and sour/acid gas issues, which we provided through seminars given by Professor Ed Wichert from Calgary. His series of three one day seminars back to back were oversubscribed here in Abu Dhabi and Doha, and prompted me to research the topic in more depth and at the same time ADNOC and Shell were running a sour gas pilot project led by Johan van Dorp.
From this activity it led to the inaugural SOGAT event in Doha in November 2004 for two days with 80 participants, including speakers and delegates. Since then, it has developed yearly in terms of content and interest and now regularly attracts 450 plus participants from around the world during the week’s event that now occurs annually in the last week of March in Abu Dhabi.”
What can attendees expect from the 2015 event?
“Now that the Shah is operating, Al Hosn Gas will be presenting their latest findings which given its size and complexity the SGF plant will serve as a world benchmark for the future. In fact their CEO, Mr Saif Al Ghafli, in giving the Keynote Address will be speaking in public for the first time since the plant was commissioned.
Also, delegates will learn of the latest development in KSA and Oman in this specialised field. Together with 45% of the presentations delivered by international operators, will serve to indicate the growing requirement of bringing sour gas to market to fulfil power and infrastructure needs at this time of oil price concern.”
You’ve got a huge array of speakers across your various SOGAT activities. What are some of the key topics that you think will drive discussion this year?
“The complexities of the forthcoming BAB sour gas project will require a greater examination of amine treatment and this exemplified by not only a dedicated workshop on this topic, but also several presentations from the USA, KSA, Iran, France and Germany on the latest and optimum aspects of this vital aspect of acid gas treatment.
There are also presentations on case studies on the problem solutions in H2S flare prevention, failures involving different sealing technologies, SRU refractory concerns, sulphur pit corrosion failure, sound and proper materials management, and personnel HSE protection from sour gas leakage.
Additionally, there are new technologies being covered in the closing session of the SOGAT conference, which together with latest services and equipment available in the SOGAT exhibition, provide a one-stop opportunity to review and closely examine the latest findings in this important element of the gas sector at a time of ever increasing gas demand throughout the region.”
The workshops are the highlight of the event and have become known for interactive discussions – was it your intention to make them a forum for industry debate?
“Very much so, and year on year they contribute greatly to the need for in-depth coverage of topics which invariably change each year in tune with market requests. All workshops are delivered by internationally renowned experts and this year is no exception.”
You have experts from all over the world flying into Abu Dhabi, are there any people you are particularly looking forward to hearing from?
“The presentations and workshop topics have been carefully selected by SOGAT’s international advisory committee. It is drawn from no less than 37 experts from 13 countries, thus ensuring complete, relevant, current and topical issues in all aspects our sour hydrocarbon treatment and management.
Moreover, SOGAT now awards a prize for best paper and presentation which is chosen from a short list of potential winners by a sub-committee of the international group. There are a number of outstanding papers to be presented with one or two being eagerly awaited given that they will unveil new developments.”
The oil price has taken a dramatic tumble over the last six months. Does it have any direct knock-on effect for the sour gas sector?
“It would be naive to say there was no impact as media reports of projects and staffing cuts abound particularly in the oil sector. However, the gas requirements regionally are such that I do not see a downturn in sour gas activities currently.
If anything, given ongoing technical achievements and understanding of sour gas sweetening, allied to increasing supply of equipment and contractors not required in the oil sector, will only serve to help the sour gas project current needs. This has come over time and time during my many discussions with senior management in the region’s NOCs and also with their counterparts in IOCs working in partnership with them here.”
