DOHA: The Call for Papers for the multi-disciplinary International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) taking place in Doha from December 7 to 9, 2009, has received overwhelming response from international gas industry.
With record 1,128 papers submitted, the highest amount ever to be received in the history of the IPTC, the programme committee selected nearly 600 papers, representing 130 companies from 35 countries.
The select committee, which includes some of the world's foremost leaders in the oil and gas sector, set high selection criteria for the papers to make the conference a must-attend event for everyone working in the industry.
"The conference is an important date in the calendar, coming to the Middle East only every two years. All 52 technical topics we initially proposed for the event will be addressed and due to the calibre of the papers, we have added a further six technical discussions so that delegates truly get the most out of the conference," said Khalid Al Hitmi, Manager Gas Development at Qatar Petroleum and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.
"The conference programme will focus on the dissemination of new and current technology, best practices and multi-disciplinary activities, designed to emphasise the importance of the value chain and the maximisation of asset value," said Olivier Dubrule, Director of Total Research Centre -- Qatar (TRC-Q) and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.
Held under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the 4th IPTC will also highlight an exhibition featuring seven national pavilions including China, Denmark, India, Italy, Malaysia, North America and Norway, as well as environmental, health and safety and intelligent energy pavilions.
Taking place under the theme of 'World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment', IPTC is the first event ever to receive full support from the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC).
Other sponsors are the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the Gas Processors Association (GPA), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Taking place at the Doha Sheraton, the IPTC will include an awards ceremony to celebrate the oil and gas industry's successes, educational field trips, an exhibition, young professionals' workshop and a social programme for delegates' partners.
Industry professionals who are interested in booking delegate and exhibition spaces are being encouraged to act now to take advantage of discounted rates and accommodation the organisers have arranged in Qatar. More information can be found at www.iptcnet.org/2009.
© The Peninsula 2009
