Dubai, UAE (10 October 2013)

The ninth edition of the SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition took place on 7-9 October in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE attracting over 600 attendees from over 185 companies and 35 countries.

Co-organised by two of the most reputed associations of the oil and gas industry, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), the event delivered a robust technical conference with an executive plenary session, two panel sessions, 21 technical sessions and various ePoster sessions, all deliberating the conference theme Delivering Future Value Through People, Technology, and Standards.

The event was inaugurated with an Opening Ceremony and included keynote speeches from Mohamed Al-Raeesi, Senior Vice President (Technical), National Drilling Company, Khalid Al-Abdulgader, Conference Co-Chairman and Manager of Manifa Drilling Department, Saudi Aramco, Joseph Ayoub, Technical Director Drilling and Completions, SPE, and Stephen A. Colville, President & CEO, IADC.

Al-Abdulgader said, "It is common knowledge that the number of technical professionals joining our industry is insufficient to meet its needs. Along with the significant percentage of the drilling professionals expected to retire this decade, this manpower concern is likely to be the most critical factor impacting our future success." When discussing technology's role in the industry, he added, "Technology will continue to create opportunities to find new oil and gas, while at the same time provide solutions to overcome current challenges."

Al-Raeesi commented, "The best results are normally achieved in the spirit of true partnerships, between all players of drilling projects like the oil and gas operator, the many service providers, and other project stakeholders."

"Over the years, MEDT has firmly established itself in the international oil and gas event calendar. With each new conference, we strive to build on this solid reputation and industry goodwill by offering a programme that is highly topical and a parallel exhibition which showcases the latest products, services, and technologies," said Ayoub 

The event was brought to a close by Nabil Alalawi, CEO, Al Mansoori Specialized Engineering.

MEDT sponsors included Saudi Aramco and ZADCO as Platinum Sponsors, Shelf Drilling, ADCO, Baker Hughes, and Sakson as Gold Sponsors, BP and Schlumberger as Silver Sponsors, and National Oil Varco as Coffee Break Sponsor. DEW Journal, Petroleum Africa, and Worldoils were media supporters.

- Ends -

ABOUT SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a not-for-profit professional association whose members are engaged in energy resources development and production. SPE serves more than 110,000 members in 141 countries worldwide. SPE is a key resource for technical knowledge related to the oil and gas exploration and production industry and provides services through its publications, events, training courses, and online resources at www.spe.org.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DRILLING CONTRACTORS
The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) is dedicated to enhancing the interests of oil-and-gas and geothermal drilling contractors worldwide. Founded in 1940, IADC's mission is to improve industry health, safety and environmental practices; advance drilling and completion technology; and champion responsible standards, practices, legislation and regulations that provide for safe, efficient and environmentally sound drilling operations worldwide. IADC is headquartered in Houston and has offices in Washington D.C., the Netherlands, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as chapters in the UK, Brazil, Australasia, South Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and across the United States. For more information, visit the IADC websites www.iadc.org andwww.drillingcontractor.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mridula Deb Nath
Tel: +971.4.457.5800 | Email: mdebnath@spe.org

© Press Release 2013