Focusing on the latest developments and opportunities in the African upstream, the much-awaited Africa Oil Week (AOW), will commence here on November 8 with high-level attendance from the energy sector. 

 

Taking place for the first time in UAE, the conference, the largest and most prestigious oil and gas show for the African upstream, will run till November 11 at Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, Dubai. 

 

Top companies in the energy sector, including TotalEnergies, Eni, Adnoc, Shell, Equinor and Chevron, are strategic sponsors for this distinguished event which will witness the attendance of two thirds of African governments. 

 

The event will convene senior E&P stakeholders, key policy makers and international investors, providing opportunities for executives to secure major deals and lucrative partnerships which will define the future of the African upstream. 

 

With more than a thousand visitors expected at the four-day conference, 38 sponsors and over 400 participating companies, AOW will provide daily networking opportunities. 

 

A dedicated Ministerial & VIP programme will unite some of the most influential names across African Energy. In addition, bookable meeting spaces and the exhibition will offer one-to-one interaction opportunities. 

 

Under AOW’s theme of ‘Succeeding in a Changed Market’, attendees can hear discussions on critical industry topics including the impact of the energy transition on African oil and gas, policy and regulatory updates from producing nations in a post-pandemic world, operating trends and future exploration commitments, and the role of digitalisation and technology in Africa’s future energy mix, among others.

 

Oil and gas are core components of the UAE’s national economy. About 30% of the country's GDP is directly based on oil and gas output. This makes the UAE a fitting choice for AOW to be held in. It will enable companies in the UAE and the Middle East to explore strategic investment opportunities in Africa thus, strengthening the local, national and regional economy and trade ties.

 

Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE said: “The UAE has been at the forefront in facilitating many key events from around the world including the ongoing Expo 2020. Our efforts have helped us gain the confidence of events like AOW that are of strategic importance to the energy sector in the Mena region. It is an honour to be welcoming Africa’s top government representatives, business people and key decision-makers into the country. This will not only boost bilateral trade ties between both countries, but it will also drive investment opportunities for the Middle East region at large. I am certain the AOW will help us maintain our upward trajectory and prove instrumental in driving growth.”

AOW will offer four days of pioneering insights, from ministerial panels to strategic outlooks and sessions designed to find solutions for key industry challenges. 

 

Scheduled to speak at the AOW Opening Ceremony on Monday November 8, Nicolas Terraz, President of Exploration and Production and member of the Executive Committee, TotalEnergies, said: “As one of the biggest oil producers in Africa and across the globe, we are well aware of our role at AOW. As this will be my first speaking engagement in my new role as E&P lead, I am looking forward to speaking in Dubai. The event will unite the entire African oil and gas sector and lead discussions to create a secure future for the sector. Amid all the discussions and partnerships, we hope to see valuable solutions in energy transition, decarbonisation and strategies to meet the future energy demand.”

 

Fafa Sanyang, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, The Gambia said: "BP decided for corporate strategic reasons to exit the Gambia. Even during the exit, BP remained positive about the geology and at AOW we are looking at building a successful partnership with a competent international company that will take on the task of exploring and extracting our petroleum resources from where BP left. We thank BP for their interest and strong collaboration during the past two years in the Gambia that helped us and will help interested IOCs to better understand the opportunity in Block A1. Following our previous success in implementing the 2018 licensing round, we will implement a transparent and competitive fast track mini-licensing round for Block A1 with low entry costs and costs of failure to identify the best partner for the Gambia and the block. We are very happy to be able to launch this licensing round at AOW.” 

 

Paul Sinclair, Vice-President of Energy & Director of Government Relations at Africa Oil Week, said: “Top government officials and senior executives will partake in the event that will stimulate dialogue and facilitate business opportunities. We aim to reaffirm the event's role in bridging Africa and the Middle East’s energy sector. Additionally, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our patrons is our top priority. Hence, we have ensured that all protocols will be followed during the event. We are now all geared up for a hugely successful show that will drive growth and change in the African energy sector.”

 

Lamé Verre, Co-Chair for Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa at Lean In Energy (LIEN) said: “In every edition, AOW has emphasised the need for inclusion and diversity in the industry. The ‘AOW Accelerates’ initiative will further this agenda of equity in workplaces. I am also looking forward to meeting women from the 2021 Power List that features 50 inspiring professionals – from Morocco to Cape Town, from Manager to Minister – all of whom are working and motivating others across the African energy sector.”  

 

To drive greater equity practices at workplaces of the future, particularly for women, across the energy sector, AOW and Lean In Energy (LIEN) will join forces to host AOW Accelerates Diversity & Inclusion. 

 

The initiative will explore the role of diversity and inclusion within Africa’s energy transition, host progressive dialogue and drive inclusive growth across the industry while welcoming male allies into discussions.-- TradeArabia News Service