Media Center
2018-03-06
H.R.H. Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, deputizes H.E. Sh. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, to inaugurate the 13th Middle East Geological Sciences Conference (GEO 2018) on Monday, 5 March 2018 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, hosted by the kingdom of Bahrain under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center (BIC), during the period of 5 – 8 March, 2018 under the slogan "Push the Technical Boundaries: Drawing the Image of Energy" with the participation of a large number of officials and CEOs of national and international companies, engineers and professionals, Specialists and scientists, as well as researchers, academics, universities and university colleges and research institutes from around the world to discuss and shape the future of this vital industry, build capacity and skills and communicate with experts and specialists. This event is organized by UBM- Arabian Exhibitions and AAPG in collaboration with the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA).
.E. Sh. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, inaugurated the conference with a speech which he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to H.R.H. Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister for his keenness to keep this vital event and oil festival under his patronage for more than two decades of its inception in 1994. He praised the support of H.R.H the Prime Minister and his constructive guidance and his constant follow-up to this global event. This confirms the Government's keenness to provide the highest support for such specialized events which contribute to the economic, information, experience and expertise, and to participate in building capacities and skills and to contribute to the enhancement of the human resources, which is essential for the promotion of sustainable development in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the GCC countries.
On behalf of the wise leadership, the Minister welcomed all participating delegations and exhibitors from all over the world, wishing them a good stay in their country of the Kingdom of Bahrain, benefiting from the conference sessions and the scientific and practical papers presented therein, and getting acquainted with the latest technologies in the accompanying exhibition, that uplift their Strategies for development and improvement in their companies and their countries simultaneously.
The Minister praised the international reputation of the Middle East Geological Sciences Conference and Exhibition series since its inception in 1994, which contributed significantly to increasing the number of participants from all over the world in its thirteenth edition to find out about the latest developments in science and technological inventions related to various exploration issues on the Oil and Gas, noting the outstanding role played by "GEO" in the exchange of experiences and knowledge and best practices in the Middle East and the world among those interested in this vital field, which is a real opportunity to develop resources in a correct and effective and Safe form and manner of high awareness and responsibility.
He also pointed out that this series of conferences and exhibitions contribute to the competitiveness of the academic communities in the research fields, which help the exploration and production companies to use the best improved resources to develop the operational performance, in addition to opening channels of business partnerships, developing technological supplies and rehabilitation of human resources and work to create a suitable working environment.
“The Arabian Gulf is home to the world's largest oil and gas reserves. The challenge is to combine technology, business and human resources in a way that will enable us to produce these supplies successfully and deliver them to the market efficiently, which requires participation between industry, government and consumers, considering supply and demand". Said H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Oil Minister.
The minister pointed out that the development march witnessed by the oil industry in the region is witnessing continuous up-to-date with the latest technological developments and applications to ensure development and obtain the best results. He pointed out to the necessity of continuing to develop the technology used in Oil and Gas and accelerate the pace of production, keeping the cost of selected solutions into consideration.
The minister said that the oil industry in the region is seeking to develop high-tech industrial initiatives and provide the best incentives for exploring difficult oil; and cooperate with the relevant support services companies to find innovative solutions to the challenges of this vital and important sector. Requesting to review the training programs that provide qualified professionals in this sector. He stressed the urgent need to attract youth to take over the leadership of the oil sector in the future to come, which requires investment in the development of competencies of the human capital in accordance with international standards. H.E. Minister of Oil praising the efforts carried out by the National Oil and Gas Oil Authority (NOGA) and its subsidiaries adopt a comprehensive succession plan for the oil and gas sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Minister of Oil, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, stated that we are feeling proud in the Kingdom of Bahrain to discover oil for the first time among the GCC countries in 1932. Since then, the oil sector has been operating according to a clear strategy to involve the private sector in implementing and managing oil projects. NOGA and its subsidiaries; is carrying out many vital and important projects that support the development of this important sector. He referred to the modernization project of Bahrain Refinery, which is one of the strategic projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain to upgrade the first refinery in the GCC region, established in 1936. The project aims to enhance competitiveness and profitability and to continue to contribute to the structure of the national economy by increasing the production of the refinery.
The minister added that the construction and modernization work in the project of replacing and modernizing the oil pipeline between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is proceeding according to the plan and the budget allocated to increase the capacity of the current pipes, which have been over 70 years. He expressed his thanks and gratitude to the wise leadership for the support to the oil and gas sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The minister pointed out that the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) pays great attention to making the Kingdom of Bahrain an international center for international oil conferences and exhibitions and is keen on the participation of international oil companies in the accompanying exhibitions. He stressed the keenness of the oil and gas sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain to develop the capacity building of the national human capital and improve their skills and competencies through attending the local and international participations and exporting their experiences through these participations accordingly.
The Minister thanked Mr. Ahmed Al-Eidan, Chairman of the Conference, GEO 2018, Deputy CEO of KIPCO's for drilling and technology and all members of the Executive Committee for their excellent efforts in the preparation and organization which contributed positively to the presence of high-level elites. The Minister also thanked UMP-Arab Exhibitions and the American Society for Petroleum Geology for the continuation of this series of conferences and exhibitions taking places in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to all the national and international oil companies contributing to the success of this important event. And thanks, to the speakers and sessions heads and delegations, wishing them every success.
H.E. Ali Al-Naimi, former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KAUST, spoke about defining the trends and framing the current environment of the oil industry in the region, followed by questions and answer with the audiences. Dr. Scott Tinker, Director of the Office of Economic Geology at the University of Texas-Austin, also spoke at the opening session as keynote speaker.
It is worth mentioning that the conference program includes more than 420 speakers of the best experts and focuses on geological studies and challenges of reservoirs, the role of earth sciences in environment, safety, risk management and innovation. The main activities daily panel discussions led by senior executives, technical peer-to-peer meetings and a program of activities designed for students and young professionals.
