Dictating the energy landscape

ADIPEC will bring together an impressive assembly of regional royalty, local and overseas energy ministers, dignitaries and top industry heavyweights from around the world. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, ADIPEC 2010 is set to generate a massive US$163mn in flow-on benefits for Abu Dhabi as a capital city with a growing world energy influence.

Speaking at the official ADIPEC press conference yesterday, ADCO’s General Manager and ADIPEC Conference Chairman, Abdul Munim Saif Al Kindy said: “ADIPEC is the biggest event of its kind outside of North America. The 2010 conference programme features an impressive array of the most influential international speakers in their field. They will lead the debate on the hottest topics for the oil and gas industry and the outcomes of the panels will undoubtedly help to shape the regional and international policy for the future.

“ADIPEC is the world’s leading oil and gas exhibition and conference and is ideal for exchange of best practice, transfer of technology and for networking among industry professionals, senior managers and leaders and is an essential platform for the continuous growth and development of the oil and gas industry. ADIPEC reflects the status of Abu Dhabi as a knowledge hub for the oil and gas industry and it sets the stage for companies to come to Abu Dhabi to make business deals, forge new contacts, showcase their technologies and services, and to get involved in strategic and policy-shaping discussions. We are confident the next four days will not only be a great success but will be pivotal for the regional and international industry.”

His Excellency Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, managing director of ADNEC, highlighted Abu Dhabi’s role in the world events arena, ADIPEC’s history with ADNEC and its vision. “In the last few years Abu Dhabi has acquired a reputation as a leading events destination. This enviable standing has been built on the solid foundation created by events such as ADIPEC – events with a rich pedigree acquired through the patronage and incredible support of the emirate’s leadership.”

Simon Mellor, the newly appointed head of Oil and Gas Events at dmg :: events, organisers of ADIPEC, said: “November 1-4 will not be your average four days. Within this narrow timeframe the future of the regional and international energy industry will be determined. The international audience attending ADIPEC reinforces the fact that the world is looking towards GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Oman) to lead the way in energy exploration, development and investment and ADIPEC is the platform of choice for regional players to showcase their projects, establish new relationships and strengthen trade and business ties across the globe.”
In fact more than 1,500 exhibitors will this year showcase their technological excellence, latest equipment and services to the anticipated 40,000 visitors scheduled to attend over the four-day event.

ADIPEC Event Director Hifazat Ahmad said announcements are expected for a number of new key technologies, including optimal recovery, health and safety and, based on this year’s focus on the Gulf of Mexico, oil spill control and risk management.

Key oil and gas players China, USA, Norway and UK have all increased presence at this year’s ADIPEC. A number of major figureheads will also be a part of the extensive speaker platforms and sessions as well as the show floor featuring 14 country pavilions.

According to recent research undertaken by dmg :: events a majority of key decision makers are particularly focused this year on utilising ADIPEC to meet key business targets to maximize business and industry growth. Respondents highlighted direct interest in production (39 per cent), valves and actuators (36 per cent), drilling (34 per cent) and pipes and fittings (34 per cent). Considering attendance figures, this potentially means a business capture rate of more than 16,000 people directly interested in viewing and purchasing any one of these product groups and services. More specifically, of the high percentage of respondents set on making purchases at the show, ranking highest on their shopping lists is:electrical/electronic equipment (83 per cent), instruments and controls (82 per cent), pipes & fittings (82 per cent), valves and actuators (82 per cent) and;tools (82 per cent). On average, respondents were interested in six product/service areas. Overall 68 per cent of the respondents who were likely to attend ADIPEC said they would be looking for suppliers. This includes 28 per cent who said they would be looking for suppliers for a current project, 43 per cent who will be looking for suppliers for a future project.

Both the organisers and attendees also agree that being a part of ADIPEC is the most efficient way to see existing suppliers and evaluate products, and that the event offers the widest selection of new innovations. Seventy five per cent of those industry people surveyed said that they would attend to view exhibitor stands, with more than half of those attending hoping to walk the floor to establish meetings with potential clients, suppliers, and industry colleagues. ADIPEC will also host several evening events, including the DMS Insight! Extravaganza on the first night, the ADIPEC Awards Dinner on the 2 November and the exhibitor party on Wednesday 3 November.

In fact the special events began yesterday with a CEO Summit which brought together professionals, academics, finance experts and intellectuals under one roof to outline the challenges for the industry. Today sees the beginning of the ADIPEC 2010 conference, which is organised in conjunction with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and has this year been structured around three main themes: Sub-surface, Surface and Vision.

Over 262 speakers, including CEOs from the world’s leading energy and related companies, will participate in plenary sessions, expert panel sessions, technical presentation sessions and poster sessions. A central plenary session will tackle the hotly debated theme of Delivering Energy in the Low Carbon Era: Challenges and Opportunities.
This year’s ADIPEC, then, is clearly the place to be. As Hifazat Ahmad put it, “The strong message from our research was that anyone who is anyone will be a part of ADIPEC and if you want to do deals, it is the most pivotal event to exhibit and attend. Importantly, a majority of the 1300 respondents stated that senior technical people want to meet technical counterparts and that sales staff wish to liaise directly with fellow sales people of the same senior level, so exhibitors who wish to maximise opportunities at the event need to involve their top-level teams to create strong business relations and optimum deals for prosperous business development.”