Gastech '12: LNG project chief highlights London's global gas links
LONDON -- Some of the most influential figures in the global energy industry are scheduled to come together later this year in one of the world’s largest financial hubs to celebrate innovation and share technological advances at the 2012 Gastech exhibition and conference.
This focus on the UK capital will remain with Gastech, one of the most important events on the energy industry calendar, being held at the ExCeL from 8 – 11 October.
More than 85% of exhibition space has been sold, in excess of 350 international exhibitors are confirmed, and 10,000 visitors are expected to converge on London for the event.
Paul Sullivan, director of global LNG and FLNG for Worley Parsons and co-chairman of the Gastech governing body, explained why the UK capital was the ideal venue for Gastech.
He said: “When people think of the great energy cities of the world, they tend to think of operational centres such as Houston or Saudi Arabia, not London. But the UK capital is of central importance to the global oil and gas industry, and considered one of the most important trading hubs for physical energy commodities.
“This year, London is also home to the world’s leading natural gas conference and exhibition, Gastech, which will be held from 8 – 11 October, and there are a number of factors behind this decision.
“As indigenous production of North Sea hydrocarbons declines, the UK now imports more gas for industrial and domestic use than ever before. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) helps to fulfil a growing and increasingly significant proportion of that need as the government aims to diversify supply sources and secure stable routes to market from reliable producers. Public and private finance plays an integral role in the future fuelling of energy project development.
“London is the global financial hub for major project finance and no other city in the world can garner such collective financial muscle and decision-making to influence how and where companies develop energy infrastructure.”
The high level of quality speakers and industry leaders exhibiting and presenting at Gastech continues to prove a huge draw for delegates, event organizers said, with more than 2,000 from across the entire gas supply chain expected to attend.
While the discounted Spring rate for delegates expires on Friday, 30 June, registration for Gastech will remain open.
The Gastech conference will feature a variety of commercial, technical and plenary streams, organizers said, with a range of additional sessions available.
De la Rey Venter, Shell’s global head of LNG, upstream international, will chair the market outlook session which addresses the UN and IEA challenge to the world gas industry, the outlook for the natural gas market in Japan and Tokyo, and the latest trends and developments impacting development in LNG projects.
Meanwhile, the natural gas and LNG stream will be chaired by David Ledesma, energy and strategy consultant at South Court Ltd. Within this session Christopher Caswell, LNG technology manager for KBR, will explore the myths about LNG, while Ahmed Tayeeb from RasGas will talk about successfully executing the Barzan project.
The technical stream will feature a host of industry experts including Frederic Hannon, LNG shipping project manager for Total under the gas shipping and storage session and Javid Talib, vice president of Black & Veatch, who share his views on floating LNG.
Chairman of the advances in gas technology stream is Paul Sibal, chief process engineer for ExxonMobil Production Co. Bryan Trocquet, business development manager for Wood Group Mustang, will be among the speakers for the LNG for transport session.
“Both major and smaller international oil companies rely on their partnerships with London investment institutions to secure funding and capital expenditure, key to driving forward the natural gas supply chain around the world," said Mr. Sullivan.
“The UK is considered a global centre for engineering and technical expertise, with Gastech providing a platform for specialist teams from hundreds of international energy companies to share innovative technologies, expertise, best practices and their experience of delivering some of the world’s most costly and complex projects.”
To take advantage of the Spring delegate rate and save £250 per delegate, register at www.gastech.co.uk.
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