The region’s gas supply and demand equation, the solution to potential deficits created by rising industry demand including diversification of gas reserves will form the agenda for an upcoming summit in Dubai, UAE.

The 10th edition of Gas Arabia Summit will take place from January 13 to 15 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.

Held in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and supported by the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Partnership, BP and TOTAL, the summit will celebrate the achievements of the past decade while addressing the challenges that lay ahead.

Nikki Mackay, project director, The Energy Exchange, said: “According to the International Energy Agency’s 2014 World Energy Outlook, the Middle East is one of two key growth areas for gas demand.”

“With predictions placing global gas use level with coal as the second largest fuel in the global energy mix by 2040, the Middle East is recognising that diversification is essential and is looking towards sustainability initiatives, strategic partnerships and technological advancement.”

The summit will feature some of region’s pre-eminent authorities on gas join the speaking faculty.

The recent State of Green Economy Report 2015, prepared by the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence and the UNDP, emphasises the importance of diversification and innovation in addressing sustainable progress.

Mounir Bouaziz, VP Mena Region for Shell, commented in the report that increased global demand for energy will “continue to lead to revised fuel choices and an increased level of energy-mix diversification trends.”

Echoing Bouaziz’s comments, Dr Peter Bartlett, CEO of the Bahrain Petroleum Company stated: "In an era of rapid change in energy markets in the middle east and around the globe, sustainability, social responsibility and cost efficiency have never been more critical. The 10th Anniversary of the Gas Arabia Summit provides vital platform for leaders throughout the region to discuss the issues that will impact our energy future."

Both Bouaziz and Dr Bartlett will be addressing Gas Arabia Summit.

Hatem Nuseibeh, president of Total UAE and member of the Gas Arabia Advisory Board added: “Total have been following the gas balance in this region for a while, and we can see that there is a need to prepare for the future, to make sure that there is the supply that is needed to satisfy the growing demand in the region.”

“Each time people talk about the end of the hydrocarbon era the technology shows that there are more reserves which are present, and in fact this is something which is needed, this technical revolution. If you look at the world demand whether it is in South East Asia, in East Asia or the Middle East, it is growing at such a pace that you will need these new resources in order to satisfy them,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service