The fourth edition of the International Petroleum Technology Conference, with a focus on challenges arising from a shift in demand for oil, gas and energy products across the world, opened today (December 7) in Doha.

The three-day conference was inaugurated by Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.

The theme for the IPTC is ‘World Energy Challenges: Endurance and Commitment’.

The opening plenary session focused on how energy leaders can mitigate the negative effects of the global economic and political volatility, and how the financial crisis can be turned into an opportunity for the industry to devote resources to increase efficiency in the production and use of fossil fuels.

Delegates in the plenary session were called upon to confirm their commitment to explore more efficient ways to produce energy and cleaner fuels to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions.

Discussions took place on investing in new extractions and processing technologies in order to exploit unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

Sustainability and environmental solutions were key themes on the opening day of the conference.

The afternoon panel session addressed the development of energy resources in environmentally responsible ways in order to curb local pollutions and reduce GHG emissions.

Speakers on the panel discussed new global carbon management initiatives, footprint minimisation in drilling and completion and the latest technological developments in cleaner fuels, such as Fischer Tropsch synthesis and gasification processes.

“The opening day has been incredibly successful, bringing together oil and gas colleagues from around the world, discussing major issues affecting our industry during these financially uncertain times,” said Waleed Refaay, project director for IPTC 2009.

“The IPTC is a collaborative effort from the world’s leading oil and gas societies AAPG, EAGE, GPA, SEG and SPE, who have worked together to attract the highest calibre delegates,” he added.

The IPTC, which has returned to the Middle East from Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and has now been established as a biennial event, provides the most thorough conference programme available in the oil and gas sector, this year covering 58 technical sessions, four panels and high level plenary.

The 2009 IPTC exhibition is offering industry professionals from around the world a platform to showcase the latest technology, services and products to a targeted oil and gas audience. – TradeArabia News Service