Leading players in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries are in Bahrain to take part in the Middle East Process Engineering Conference (Mepec 2013) which opens today (Sunday) under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Prince Khalifa deputised Finance Minister and Minister in charge of Oil and Gas Affairs Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa to inaugurate the event at Gulf Hotel's Gulf Convention Centre.

Mepec 2013 has the slogan "Overcoming Future Challenges Through Engineering Excellence".

The minister will also open the accompanying exhibition tomorrow morning at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Mepec 2013, the Middle East's large-scale process engineering conference and exhibition, will provide a vital forum where process engineering technology providers, oil, gas and petrochemical companies, and end-users, can share best practices, discuss the challenges faced by the oil, gas, refining, chemicals and petrochemicals industries, and explore potential solutions to some of their most pressing concerns.

"Hosting such large-scale events will bolster Bahrain's status as a major regional hub for holding oil exhibitions and conferences," Shaikh Ahmed said.

Mepec 2013 will focus on how 'smart' engineering, together with manufacturing and operational excellence can create value in process industries, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The conference's technical programme will include a wide range of topics including manufacturing and operational excellence, capital project efficiency, process automation and optimisation, process safety and risk mitigation, clean fuel, environment and sustainability, process and molecular modelling, and skills, talent and technology development.

Mepec 2013 has attracted more than 1,500 delegates, 150 exhibitors representing big names in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, with visitors excepted to exceed 3,000.-TradeArabia News Service