PM to inaugurate IPTC on January 19; industry challenges in focus

Under the patronage of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar will host the 7th International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) at the Qatar National Convention Centre from January 19. The conference will be inaugurated by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada described the IPTC as a leading global forum to deal with the challenges facing the petroleum industry, and a promoter of research and innovation that will shape the industry’s future.Al-Sada said, “Qatar is proud to host this important event, which constitutes the ideal platform to exchange experiences, review scientific breakthroughs, and strengthen co-operation between international oil and gas companies, service providers, scientific and academic circles, and government bodies.”Gulf countries, including Qatar, are among the world’s largest energy exporters, shipping both crude oil and natural gas to customers around the globe. Now, they are envisioning of becoming enablers and creators of new technologies. Since its inception in 2005, the IPTC has grown to be one of the major events in the world, and it is being organised alternatively between Asia and the Middle East. Qatar is the permanent host of the event in the Middle East. The IPTC is known as the largest multisociety, multidisciplinary event in the eastern hemisphere. It is expected to attract more than 6,000 visitors. The conference is organised by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

High-level Total delegation to showcase new technologiesMore than 30 senior Total representatives will represent the global energy major at the 7th International Technology Petroleum Congress (IPTC) in Doha, demonstrating its long-term commitment to Qatar as a “reliable and highly innovative” energy partner.The Total delegation will be led by Yves Louis Darricarrère, president (upstream); Michel Hourcard, president (development, exploration & production), and Stéphane Michel, president (Middle East, exploration and production).Total will showcase its industry-leading technologies in oil and gas exploration and production at its dedicated exhibition booth, which will include interactive activities.Total has supported IPTC since its inception in 2005, and is a principal sponsor of this year’s event, which will be held on the theme: “Unlocking Energy through Innovation, Technology and Capability”.Darricarrère will offer the delegates his perspective on the topic in the plenary session on January 20.Hourcard will be presenting his views on the oil and gas industry in his speech on “The Future of Integrated Project Management in a Cyclic Environment” in the first panel session of the afternoon the same day.These speeches will be followed by an address by Stéphane Michel on “Delivering on Evolving Stakeholder Expectations” on January 22. “Total has been present in Qatar for almost 77 years and we are very pleased to be supporting the IPTC for the 7th year” said Guillaume Chalmin, managing director, Total E&P Qatar and group representative in Qatar.Among the advanced technologies Total will be showcasing are “mock-up” of Total’s new supercomputer Pangea based in France. The most powerful computer ever owned by an oil and gas major, Pangea, is capable of 2.3mn billion operations per second or 2.3 petaflops. Also on display at the Total booth will be advanced seismic imaging tool ‘Sismage 3D,’ used to map the behaviour and characteristics of oil and gas reservoirs deep underground. In addition, a series of live presentations featuring Total’s cutting-edge technologies will be delivered by senior group experts in the stand’s auditorium during the whole exhibition. For lighter entertainment, visitors to the Total stand will be able to get behind the wheel of a replica of Total-sponsored Lotus-Renault Formula One car, and try their hand at racing around a virtual F1 race track.