Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec), a leading exhibition for the Middle East oil and gas industry, has registered a significant 20 per cent rise in its visitor numbers compared to the 2010 show, said the event organisers.

The top energy event expects to receive 50,000 visitors from 91 countries on the closing day today, it added.

Adipec, which began as a biennial event in 1984 providing platform for oil and gas professionals to come together to network, discover new ideas, and debate core industry issues, will become an annual event from 2013.

“Adipec has grown strongly in recent years, reflecting the position Abu Dhabi and the Middle East now hold in the global supply of oil and gas,” remarked Mohammad Sahoo Al Suwaidi, the gas director of Adnoc and the recently appointed chairman of Adipec 2013.

“Interest in the event has filled the venue and the conference programme has never been stronger,” he stated.

Al Suwaidi pointed out that all 13 national pavilions at the event have confirmed for Adipec 2013 and 15,000 sq m of exhibition space have already been booked for next year’s show.

By the end of third day, Adipec witnessed a strong Middle East presence with the visit of delegations from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the wider region, he added.

Increasing the frequency of Adipec will accommodate the growing significance of natural gas in the global energy mix, remarked Al Suwaidi.

Gas is replacing coal as the world’s main source of energy after oil, partly because its cleaner burning properties are making it a preferred fuel for electricity generation.

The transition of the Middle East’s largest event for the oil and gas industry into an annual show from next year will promote integration across the energy value chain and strengthen partnerships in local and regional energy markets, said a senior representative of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) today.

“The global energy mix is diversifying to include both hydrocarbons and alternative sources such as renewables to meet growing energy demand and reduce carbon emissions,” said Al Suwaidi.

“Natural gas is therefore assuming greater prominence as an energy source and the conference programme next year will bring these developments into clearer focus,” he stated

On the next year's programme, Al Suwaidi said, "The Adipec conference programme has always adjusted to take into account new industry trends and this will continue as we annualise the event. Adipec will remain an oil and gas event but next year’s conference will spotlight the gas sector," he added.

“This week the event hosted energy ministers from the UAE, Saudi, Iraq, Norway, the UK and Canada and has seen more business conducted than ever before,” remarked Simon Mellor, the senio VP, dmg::events, the event organisers.

“For 2013 we will continue to broaden the appeal of Adipec and make it even more inclusive from a regional perspective, introducing topics and components that reflect the diversification of the energy sector and the increasing attention on sustainability,” said Mellor.

“New features have already been researched and topics for 2013 will be formulated in the coming weeks by the organising committee,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service