Sponsored by five of the world's major technology companies and organized by Dubai- based World Development Forum, the meetings of the Middle East Summit for information and communication technology in oil and gas sector (OT Summit) had reached an end yesterday in Dubai.
The Sponsoring quinary includes Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Huawie and Juniper.
This first and unprecedented summit wins momentous significance arising from the assured characteristic attendance of a galaxy of the pioneering oil and industrial companies throughout the Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council States. ARAMCO, ADNOC, SABIK, ADNOC, Kuwait Oil Company, Qatar Petroleum, Dana Gas is amongst the leading participating companies from (GCC) and Arab countries. Other companies from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Libya and UAE the hosing country are involved in the Summit activities.
At a Middle East level, the summit is expected to be an exhaustive platform gathering the Arab region decision makers and top level principles concerned with petroleum issues and the related industries. Meanwhile, major pioneering technology companies will be represented to browse the latest proposed applications and strategies in the field.
"Oil& gas sector - despite the immensity of its importance - doesn't drive great benefits from the massive and universal advancements of information technology and communications." announced Dr. Eesa Bastaki Chairman, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE), UAE Section & Director, Education & Technology Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, during his participation in the Summit.
Dr. Bastaki added also that the procession of industries, in general, towards exploiting the latest technological applications might last a stage of transition - short or long - but this time gap appeared distinct and horribly long, particularly, in petroleum and energy sector. He indicates, moreover, to the corporations working in that sector which - generally speaking - haven't yet caught up with satellite system for example in spite of the remarkable success it realized (he meant satellite system) in operating and developing other sectors.
Al Bastaki attributed delay and retardation to certain reasons. One of these reasons is that most of the oil and gas companies mobilize all their efforts to increase production to meet the rapid and increasing demand on energy. Another reason lies in the anxiety concerning the passive influence on production because of transition projects, let alone the high costs of these projects. Al Bastaki also stressed the importance of changing this perspective indicating that making use of recent technological trends will, undoubtedly, contribute effectively to the aggrandizement of production; reduce costs and promote performance efficiency on the other hand.
"A number of the pioneering petroleum companies throughout the world and Gulf Area have recently paid much attention to this issue. Aramco has planned to benefit from satellite technology in information exchange between its oil fields and central units concerned with analyses and control", Said Al Bastaki asserting that this move towards technology exploitation will lead to a qualitative shift in the level of production and performance of any company working in oil and gas sector within the region.
Commentating on the same conceptions, Omar Saleh Director of Oil and Gas Sector in Middle East and Africa Microsoft, said that oil and gas sector is a very "conservative one" regarding technology in particular and this conservative attitude is the result of many reasons; the most important of them is the excessive costs that might result in the any trivial mistake."
Saleh also stressed the importance of "The latest programming technologies. And that it played a vital part in supporting the oil and gas sector to face the challenges of the increasing global demands on energy. Moreover, technology has brought forward several unique solutions for crucial functions in oil and gas sectors- solutions that deal with the processes of excavation, design, and execution. The vital technological contributions to the fields of analysis, business intelligence, and communications will undoubtedly be covered in this summit," Saleh went on indicating the massive funds being invested in oil and gas sector; and to what extant it needs an integrated technological system to guarantee real investment of assets and resources in an appropriate manner, and in a way that allows manpower to carry out its real task (applying technology in professionally to achieve the expected targets. "More than 50% of the magnificent oil projects in 1993 (according to IPA statistics) suffered much from the delay of fundamental dependence on technology. Now, oil and gas companies have recognized well that technology is no longer a mere facilitative method; but it's the very distinguishing element between the superior company and the inferior one.
Saleh also referred to Performance Peak Initiative which is dedicated to the companies working in oil and gas sector by Microsoft. This initiative provides technological solutions concerning the treatment of the five major priorities for the establishments working in this field. The first of these priorities is enhancing the capability of production in all its various aspects; drilling, excavation, refining and petrochemicals, safety and security, environment protection and management of supply and distribution processes. Energy sector has to fully utilize and exploit these advancements in technology to meet the increasing demands efficiently. Ross Philo, Director of Global energy sector, Cisco.
Modern Technology is able to recognize a qualitative shift in meeting the increasing world demand on hydrocarbons by changing the work system of oil and gas system radically. In other words, changing the processes of looking for crude oil and the progression of production, refining, transport and distribution stages are to be technologically changed.
Philo also adds that major oil companies found out that it's significantly important to use the networks as communication and integration platforms. In addition it's of great importance also to provide the processing operations and final product with distinctive services including the ability of sharing information and experiences between fields of oil production and management centers, connecting the staff through different means of communication (Audio, video and interactive data).
To meet the global demand for hydrocarbons, modern technology can dramatically transform the way oil and gas are discovered, produced, processed, transported and distributed. Leading companies have discovered ways to use the network as the platform to connect, collaborate, and compete and deliver tremendous benefits to their operations, their employees, and their bottom line.
Khalid Eed, Executive Director of World Development Forum (the Summit organizer) asserted that the aim of organizing such a summit is shedding light on the important relation between information technology and oil& gas sector. Discussing some of urgent issues and challenges facing oil and gas industry in the Arab region is another aim of importance along with considering practical experiences from different regions of the world. He stressed also that dependence of oil and gas industry on technology is not a mere act of luxury, however it's the very method of recognizing the expected targets in our era.
-Ends-
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© Press Release 2007
