ME TECH 2012: Future tech unveiled

Clean technologies innovation to top the agenda of ME TECH 2012.

Clean technologies innovation to top the agenda of the second edition of the Middle East Technology Forum (ME TECH 2012)

Following a highly successful inaugural event in January 2011, the 2nd Middle East Technology Forum (ME TECH 2012) will run between 14-15 February in Dubai, bringing together all the key players across the gas processing, oil refining, residue upgrading and petrochemical sectors.

Over two days of parallel sessions, delegates will hear first-hand presentations from leading NOCs and IOCs on their latest projects and strategies.

This year’s event will address numerous challenges facing downstream producers in the region including low margins, overcapacity and increasingly stringent quality environmental regulations. The role of technology companies is more important than ever to explore ways to improve efficiency and process heavier and sourer crudes.

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“The demand for cleaner fuels and increasingly strict regulations on refined petroleum products requires refiners to adapt to new operating environments. In addition to these pressures, greater use of heavy crude requires innovative technologies, explains Colin Chapman, founder and president of the event organiser, Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC). “Innovation is key to realising greater downstream potential,” Chapman adds.

“Technology will help plant operators to improve margins and get ahead of the competition in this ever-changing market environment,” says Chapman.

Fareed Mohamed Al-Jaberi, business development manager with The Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER) will be speaking on TAKREER’s world-class refining strategies, Fuad Mohammed Mosa, manager, chemicals technology development at SABIC will present on optimum plant operations and Sreeramachandran Kartha, general manager, refining business at Reliance will address delegates on the important topic of refining and petrochemical integration principles and how they have employed them in Jamnagar. Saudi’s Sipchem and SAMREF will also be presenting on their recent projects and experiences.

Consultants from Purvin & Gertz, Wood McKenzie and CMAI will be evaluating the market trends across all the downstream sectors, best investment opportunities and examining the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Leading specialists from Shell Global Solutions, UOP, Haldor Topsoe, ExxonMobil and over twenty other technology, catalyst and equipment providers will be sharing their knowledge and offering their best solutions to meet operating challenges.

An exhibition will run alongside the event in the networking area, allowing delegates to maximize their attendance by visiting up to 40 stands where suppliers will be holding demonstrations and displaying their latest products.

“ME-TECH gives innovators and end-users a platform to exchange views on cutting-edge downstream oil and gas technology solutions to improve margins and achieve operational excellence” said Suzanne Costello, head of events at Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC).

Many participants aim to build on last year’s success to reach more clients. “ME-TECH has been successfully positioned as a highly technical conference with coverage of the whole Middle East Area,” says Rolando Ranauro, regional sales manager, Middle East and India at Albemarle. “This year, we aim to focus on compliance with new specs with actual units and seamless execution of unit revamps,” Ranauro explains.

“The ME-TECH 2011 was an extremely well attended event, with a very high quality of papers,” says Damon Hill, director of global refining at Foster Wheeler. “Given the success of ME-TECH in 2011, we have gone even further by agreeing to deliver a FW seminar, and flying in senior personnel from offices in Europe and the US to participate in the seminar and deliver papers at the conference,” he explains.

For Sabin Metal Corp, ME TECH presents an excellent opportunity to market the company’s products across the region. “We believe that exhibitors and participants at ME TECH represent an active market for our precious metal-bearing catalyst recovery and refining services and capabilities,” says Jan Korbijn, general manager EMEA of Sabin Metal Corp.

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