Expo to offer platform for sharing expertise in ‘refining technology’

TDT | Manama

Under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Oil, the Kingdom will host the Fourth Middle East Refining Technology Conference and Exhibition on March 3 and 4, 2020 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Organised by the World Refining Association in co-operation and co-ordination with the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) and with the support of the Gulf Refining Union, the expo will see the participation of a number of experts, specialists, heads and managers of companies operating in the field of oil refining, as well as those interested in the field of refining technology in the technical, research and academic sectors. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, appreciated the continuation of the World Refining Association, for choosing the Kingdom to hold a series of conferences and exhibitions in the Middle East for refining technology for the fourth time on the territory of the Kingdom.

Expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation for the tireless efforts that contributed in organising this important event, the minister highlighted that the event would offer platform for the exchange of knowledge and access to the latest developments in modern technologies. “This, in turn, will enhance the national economy, sustainable development and constructive participation to raise the efficiency of the human resources.” The scientific papers and discussion sessions of the conference will focus on many topics, including: the future of the refining industry and future technologies and strategic projects aimed at raising the level of refineries, the optimal investment in development research and benefiting from it commercially and the integration of opportunities in the field of refining and petrochemicals, digital transformation and other sectors.

Shaikh Mohammed said that NOGA is working on implementing a number of vital projects that support the development of the oil and gas sector in the Kingdom during this period. Pointing out the Bahrain Refinery Modernisation Project is one of the strategic projects in the Kingdom to raise the level of the refinery in order to enhance competitiveness and profitability and continue to contribute to the national economy by increasing the production of the refinery, the minister stressed the importance of knowing the latest modern technologies in this field and the possibility of using them in vital projects in order to speed the completion and implementation and reduce the cost. The Middle East Refining Technology Conference and Exhibition is a global event that brings together decision makers from stakeholders in refineries, petrochemical producers and technology providers from all parts of the world to exchange knowledge and experiences and discuss the most important issues related to this vital field that will help in the study and review of existing technologies and how to benefit from new technologies.

A number of local, regional and international companies will participate in the exhibition accompanying the conference, which would showcase the latest findings of modern technologies and studies and discuss the most important issues related to the refining and petrochemical industry. The World Refining Association was established in 1996 that specialises in organising many events, such as conferences, exhibitions, workshops, forums and other relevant specialised events, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experiences and providing many studies and research that in turn serve specialists, interested people, researchers and academics from different regions of the world; from Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and other countries of the world.