Held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum

Day 1 sessions focus on key challenges facing the Oil & Gas industry in the region

Dubai, UAE (18 September 2012) - The first sessions of the NOCs & Governments Summit kicked off today, September 18 in Dubai at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina. The Summit, organised by The CWC Group and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, will run until September 19.

The Summit started on September 17 with the 'Knowledge & Innovation Interactive Seminar' that addressed key opportunities and challenges facing the Oil & Gas industry and the host nations. The Seminar was led by Willy Olsen, an internationally renowned industry expert, and delivered insights on exploring methods for creating a beneficial climate to support the development of local knowledge and boost innovation in the industry. It also discussed building partnerships between international and local companies, evaluating the changing roles and relationships of NOCs, IOCs and service companies as well as presenting International case studies.

"Dubai is an ideal location to host this summit and we are honoured to receive the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum," said H Frederic Ponton, CWC Group's Director of Government Relations - MENA. "The opening day was a major success with elite speakers hosting interactive sessions that highlighted topics of interest to the Oil & Gas industry experts."

The first day witnessed opening remarks by Dr Alirio Parra, Senior Associate, The CWC Group followed by the first session titled 'The Big picture: Impacts of the current climate on the oil and gas industry globally'. Speaking at the panel were Dr Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Secretary General, International Energy forum; Mark Carne, Executive Vice President MENA, Shell Upstream International; Jean-Luc Guiziou, President, Total UAE; and Frank J Kemnetz, Vice President and General Manager, ExxonMobil Upstream Ventures (ME) Ltd.

Hannah Lawrence, NOCs & Governments Summit Director of The CWC Group said: "We are very pleased with the outcome of the first day and we are confident that the second day will be as valuable. There is a greater focus in the industry on developing innovative strategies for accessing more challenging fields, in order to maximize the region's resources. The NOCs & Governments Summit is the ideal platform to explore strategies for maximizing the economic benefit to local economies to ensure sustainable and long-term growth as it features a full schedule of seminars devoted to job creation and developing strategies for attracting investment into research and development."

The sessions continued with focus on developing resources, stimulating long-term sustainable growth, employment opportunities in the energy industry, strategies to foster innovation, meeting supply chain objectives, engaging the local workforce, avoiding operational disruptions.  The day also saw a Networking lunch hosted by Shell.

Speakers at the NOCs & Governments Summit include: Dr Othman Salman Gihlan, Director General Legal Department, Iraq's Council of Ministers; Dr Ali Salhi, Chairman for Oil and Economic Development, Governorate of Kirkuk; Sami Al-Rushaid, Chairman & Managing Director, Kuwait Oil Company; Hashim Al-Rifaai, Chairman, Kuwait Gulf Oil Company; Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Secretary General, International Energy Forum; Manuel Ferreira De Oliveira, President, Galp Energia; Eng Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary & CEO, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board; Mark Carne, Executive Vice President MENA, Shell Upstream International; Frank Kemnetz, VP and GM, ExxonMobil Upstream Ventures (Middle East); Jean Luc Guiziou, President, TOTAL UAE.

Billed as "The meeting place for NOCs, Governments & Industry," the NOCs & Governments Summit explores long-term strategies for creating jobs, developing innovation and building sustainable economic growth in oil-producing countries across the region.

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About The CWC Group
The CWC Group specializes in energy and infrastructure issues and is dedicated to developing knowledge, creating commercial opportunities and implementing strategic solutions for governments and industries by offering professional training, strategic conferences and exhibitions around the world. Recognized for its outstanding achievements toward these goals, The CWC Group was honored with the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2011 and in 2007 under the category of International Trade. The CWC Group maintains long-established partnerships with governments, corporate investors, trade organizations and senior industry executives in order to promote private-public co-operation in the oil, gas, power and telecommunication sectors. The CWC Group currently works with over 30 governments, OPEC, the World Bank and numerous non-profit associations and non-governmental organizations.

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© Press Release 2012