Marrakech, Morocco 12 February 2008: Since 1929, and after the discovery of the Ain Hamra oil pool, oil exploration in Morocco has been considered by major industry players. According to previous estimates Morocco is said to have oil reserves of 1.07 million barrels and natural gas reserves of 60 billion cubic feet (Bcf), which makes the country a focus area in the North African region.

Although the country currently produces small volumes of oil from the Essaouira Basin and small amounts of natural gas from the Gharb Basin, it is believed to have significant hydrocarbon reserves in other areas that are not yet discovered.

The Society of Petroleum Engineers provides an industrial platform for leaders in the field to discuss exploration and production challenges in North Africa through its first North Africa Technical Conference and Exhibition (NATC), which takes place at the Palais Des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco from 12 to 14 March 2008.

"NATC offers delegates a comprehensive technical programme, which highlights major topics, such as difficult gas developments, new oil in old fields and new technologies for the next generation of hydrocarbon development to name a few. In addition, the delegates will get a chance to see world-class geological structures that resulted from inverted early rifting deposits of Triassic red beds during a field trip to the Ourika and Argana valleys," explained Waleed Refaay SPE Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa and India.

The event is supported by the National Office for Hydrocarbons and Mining (ONHYM) in Morocco, and H.E. Madam Amina ben Qadra, Minister of Petroleum in Morocco, will inaugurate the event.                

Shell, being an ONHYM partner since 1997, is sponsoring the event with other industry giants such as Total, BP, Schlumberger, Halliburton and Weatherford.

"The expected increase in global oil and gas demand means that we have to find new resources and develop groundbreaking technologies in exploration, drilling and development. Cost pressures in our industry demand the research of lower cost solutions and application of best practices in all our processes. Being a part of NATC will enable us to share ideas on these best practices, and shed light on how to overcome the major challenges for exploring and developing new resources in this region" said Dr. Matthias Bichsel, Executive Vice President, Shell Exploration & Production, and Chairman of the NATC Executive Committee

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About SPE
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 79,000-plus members from more than 115 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, conferences, workshops, forums, and website at www.spe.org

Contact information:
Frances Leon, Senior Event Manager,
SPE Middle East
Email: fleon@spe.org
Tel: +9714.360.2952
Fax: +9714.366.4648

© Press Release 2008