The world’s leading oil and gas societies have announced the official call for papers from industry professionals as part of the multi-disciplinary International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC).

The theme of the fourth edition of the IPTC, taking place from December 7 to 9 in Doha under the patronage of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of the State of Qatar, is 'World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment."

The programme committee, which includes some of the world’s foremost leaders in the oil and gas sector, have set high selection criteria for the papers, as part of their efforts to make the conference a must-attend event for everyone working in the industry.

In what will be an unrivalled multi-session programme, 52 topics have been made available for industry professionals to present, which are representative of the issues facing the oil and gas sector today.

“We are reaching out to our industry colleagues, giving them an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the development of our sector,” said Khalid Al-Hitmi, manager Gas Development at Qatar Petroleum and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.

“The conference is an important date in the calendar, coming to the Middle East only every four years, and it is vital that all 52 topics are covered so that delegates get the most out of the event.”

The deadline for abstracts of paper proposals is March 21 and the full seminar programme will be announced once the committee members have selected the highest calibre presentations, he said.

“The conference programme will focus on the dissemination of new and current technology, best practices and multi-disciplinary activities, designed to emphasise the importance of the value chain and the maximisation of asset value,” said Olivier Dubrule, director of Total Research Centre – Qatar (TRC-Q) and Co-Chairman for the IPTC Conference Programme.

“The technical committee from the sponsoring societies will rate and select the best papers submitted, taking into consideration the quality of the technical information and the regional diversity of the content. Participants are being given the platform to be recognised as a published author.”

The IPTC is sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the Gas Processors Association (GPA), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

Returning to the region from the 2008 edition held in Kuala Lumpur, the IPTC has now been established as a biennial event and will be held in alternative years between the Middle East and Asia.

One of the most comprehensive events of its kind, the IPTC, taking place at the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, will include features such as an awards ceremony to celebrate the oil and gas industry’s successes, educational field trips, an exhibition, young professionals’ workshop and a social programme for delegates’ partners.

Industry professionals who are interested in submitting their papers can visit www.iptcnet.org/2009 for the full list of topics and further information on applications.-TradeArabia News Service