Marsh, a leading global insurance broker and risk adviser, will host its the second National Oil Companies' (NOC) Conference in Dubai.

The conference, from February 25–27, will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, at the Madinat Jumeriah.

Jim Pierce, chairman of Marsh's Marine and Energy Practice, commented: “We are honoured that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has agreed to support the NOC Conference. His patronage clearly emphasises the critical importance of risk management in any national oil company's business strategy and underscores the integral role our conference plays in bringing leading, global NOC professionals together. This conference will set the agenda for how NOCs will address risk issues in 2008 and beyond.”

Marsh's NOC conference is the landmark industry event specifically devoted to NOCs and addresses the risk issues and challenges they and the energy sector face. This year's event has attracted senior representatives from many national oil companies around the world eager to discuss operational, financial and strategic risk in their operations.

The conference will be addressed by some of the most respected leaders and commentators in the energy sector. Drawn from NOCs, professional service firms, governments, and senior management from Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) they  include: Sheikh Faisal Al Thani (Maersk Oil Qatar), David Anderson (BP), Bader Al Shumaimri (Kuwait Petroleum Corporation), Petter Kapstad (StatoilHydro), James Ferguson (Halliburton), Dr José Manuel Carrera (Petróleos Mexicanos), Edward Morse (Lehman Brothers), Dr Mohammed Benayoune (former CEO of Oman Polypropylene),
Matthew Simmons (Simmons & Company International), and Adrian Slywotzky (Oliver Wyman). –TradeArabia News Service