More than 1,500 downstream oil and gas professionals will focus on current challenges facing the downstream hydrocarbon industry at a major petrochemical conference opening in Bahrain today (May 20).

The eighth Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Conference and Exhibition (Petrotech 2012) will run until May 23 at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre

The associated 5,400 sq m exhibition of refining and petrochemicals industry products and services will open in a separate ceremony tomorrow under the patronage of HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The Petrotech 2012 conference opening session assembles a panel of high ranking industry figures who will deliver their perspectives on this year's theme, 'Creating Value: Technology, Investment and People'.

'Technology, investment and people are fundamental to the refining and petrochemical industry and business growth that will meet the future needs of all our citizens,' Middle East Petrotech 2012 chairman and vice-president, chemicals, Saudi Aramco Abdulaziz M Al Judaimi said.

'It is a great pleasure and honour for Saudi Aramco to chair the Petrotech 2012 committee. The exceptional efforts of my fellow members have succeeded in creating a world-class event which serves the needs of the industry at a critical juncture,' he said.

Speakers at the conference opening session include Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, Sabic vice-chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Mohamed H Al Mady, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation CEO Farouk Al Zanki and others.

More than 90 cutting-edge technical and poster presentations, and three executive guest speaker sessions will follow over the subsequent three days of the conference from Monday to Wednesday.

These presentations will share successful case studies and innovative solutions for common challenges allied to refining and petrochemical technologies, plants of the future, human resources and HSE.

'With a highly technical conference programme, senior keynote speakers and an exhibition of international significance, Petrotech 2012 will help ensure that downstream professionals in the Gulf and throughout the Middle East remain at the forefront of the latest developments in our industry,' Al Judaimi said.

'I am confident that this exchange of knowledge, experience and technology in Bahrain will be of great benefit to all participants.'

The Petrotech 2012 exhibition of refining and petrochemicals products and services showcases 123 exhibitors from 21 countries.

Amongst them is high profile participation from the natural resource rich areas of the Gulf.

Regional giants including Bapco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Borouge, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Saudi Aramco, Qatar Petroleum, Petro Rabigh, Sadara Chemical Company, Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company, Industrialisation and Energy Services Company and TASNEE (National Industrialisation Company) are taking flagship stands.

International service industry majors also maintain a strong presence at Petrotech 2012, with Baker Hughes, Dow, Foster Wheeler, UOP and Yokogawa occupying significant exhibition space. A host of specialist companies consolidate this line-up.

Since its inauguration in 1996, the Middle East Petrotech series has established itself as a key industry forum for these highly significant sectors of the region's economy. In 2010, a total of 3,150 conference delegates and trade visitors attended the event. – TradeArabia News Service