Page 2 of 2Saudi Arabia is the only area to show further investment in the nuclear sector with plans to construct 16 nuclear reactors by 2035 in a project led by King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy (KACARE).
Emphasis is currently being placed on energy efficiency, given the growing challenge in the Middle East of population growth, heightened economic activity and high rates of energy consumption that are recognised as being unstable in the longer term. This has led to the development of clean energy projects in the region and in the afternoon conference session high-level speakers from ACWA Power, Masdar, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Strategy& outlined examples of their major clean energy projects, the challenges involved and future equipment and services opportunities for the supply chain.
Two lively panel discussions took place throughout the event, the first focusing on HVO’s and Local Content with esteemed panelists from ADNOC, Shell, Business Gateways International and Salford University. The final session of the day, titled ‘Contradictions in Contracting’ visited the debate surrounding various procurement models and how they might be most appropriate between the client, contractor and the success of the project itself. Panelists from Kentz, ADNOC and Endress+Hauser took part in this session discussing the many benefits and disadvantages of the different contracting models.
A series of highly informative and focussed contractor briefings were delivered from Fluor, Kentz, McDermott and Petrofac. These sessions were in high demand throughout the day as delegates listened to what opportunities lay ahead and how interested each company is to work with the UK supply chain.
EIC Connect Middle East provided an excellent platform for companies looking to set up in the region with an information session, led by panelists from Andrews Kurth and Xodus Group that covered the legal & commercial practicalities of doing business in the region. A UAE Landing Zone was placed at the event offering advice on the many ways in which the EIC can help members enter or expand into new markets.
ADNOC and its operating companies including AdmaOpco, ADGAS, Al Hosn Gas, Gasco and Zadco had a strong presence at the event, sending more than 30 representatives from their registration, procurement and engineering teams to circulate the exhibition and have one to one meetings with delegates. These appointments were quickly snapped up by those companies who wanted to work with ADNOC and learn about their pre-qualification process. The one to one zone, sponsored by Corrotherm also hosted appointments with Amec Foster Wheeler and all companies who delivered contractor briefings.
The exhibition, which this year saw more than 40 UK companies promoting their products and services to a very interested audience saw a busy stream of delegates circulate throughout the hall in search of networking and sales opportunities. The Delegate Networking Area, sponsored by Amec Foster Wheeler, was utilized heavily throughout the event as delegates took the opportunity to hold meetings with existing and new contacts in between sessions, and where a sumptuous three-course buffet lunch was served.
As delegates streamed away from the event, leaving reception, which this year was sponsored by Rigzone, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The success of this year’s event was partly due to the establishment of the Middle East Advisory Group whose support and vast collective knowledge has been instrumental in shaping the programme.
Nicholas Cochrayne-Dyet, special advisor to the chief representative, BP and chairman of the Middle East 2015 Advisory Group commented on the event, "The recently well attended EIC Connect event was deemed a resounding success by most of the participants who’d either managed to learn about new opportunities/technologies/partnerships or even in some cases actually managed to make a deal! The positive outcome ended on a high, with attendees asking about participating in the next event."
The next event in the Connect programme, EIC Connect Energy will take place on 24-25 November 2015 in Manchester.
Stand and Sponsorship bookings are currently being taken for this event. For more information please contact:
Charmaine Atkinson, National Events Coordinator
E:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. T: 01642 379 975
