The international oil and gas industry has responded in record numbers to the call for papers for an upcoming multi-disciplinary energy conference.

Taking place under the theme of “World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment”, the fourth edition of the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) will place in Doha from December 7 to 9 at the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel.

With 1,128 papers submitted, the highest amount ever to be received in the history of the IPTC, the programme committee selected nearly 600 papers, representing 130 companies from 35 countries.

The select committee, which includes some of the world’s foremost leaders in the oil and gas sector, 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.

“The response has been unprecedented and we applaud our industry colleagues for making such a valuable contribution to the development of the oil and gas 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 two years. All 52 technical topics we initially proposed for the event will be addressed and due to the calibre of the papers, we have added a further six technical discussions so that delegates truly get the most out of the conference,” added Al-Hitmi.

“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 2009 exhibition, running alongside the conference, will feature seven national pavilions including China, Denmark, India, Italy, Malaysia, North America and Norway, as well as dedicated environmental, health and safety and intelligent energy pavilions.

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.

The event 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. – TradeArabia News Service