More than 2,000 oil and gas professionals will converge at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre today for the opening session of the 18th Society of Petroleum Engineers Middle East Oil & Gas Show and Conference (MEOS 2013).

The associated 14,800 sq m exhibition of industry products and services will open in a separate ceremony tomorrow.

The event is being held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The event, which runs until Wednesday is expected to attract more than 7,000 participants. The MEOS 2013 session today assembles a panel of high ranking industry figures, who will deliver their own perspective on this year's theme "Transforming the Energy Future".

The theme focuses on current issues the oil and gas industry faces as it strives to meet global demand for energy in the face of increasingly difficult challenges, with emphasis on the processes, technologies, business models and human skills required to meet future energy needs effectively and efficiently.

More than 200 technical and poster presentations designed to share the knowledge and experience of managing, operating and supplying companies.

MEOS 2013 will also offer five panel sessions led by presidents, vice-presidents, chief executives, deputy managing directors, and chairmen of key players in the industry including Baker Hughes, Bapco, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Petroleum Development Oman, Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger, Shell, Total and Weatherford.-TradeArabia News Service