The 20th Middle East Oil & Gas Show and Conference (MEOS 2017) opened in Bahrain under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and UBM AEM, MEOS continues to be a premier platform for sharing E&P knowledge and expertise in the region.

 

Over 8,000 oil and gas professionals are converging at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre to debate and shape the future of the oil and gas industry in the region over the course of the conference and parallel exhibition.

 

“2017 marks the 20th edition of MEOS, building on 38 years of successful and expanding interactions between industry and technical leaders, all in the centre of a region leading the world in energy supply,” said Nabeel I. AlAfaleg, MEOS 2017 Conference Co-Chairman and Chief Petroleum Engineer, Saudi Aramco.

 

“The MEOS conference theme this year is ‘Transforming the Industry through Innovation and Operational Excellence’. Fluctuations in the oil and gas markets have made our industry very challenging. Therefore, emphasis on innovation and practicing operations excellence has never been greater. This transformation will allow the industry to continue to meet future global energy demands ensuring continuity of economic growth despite the cyclical nature of the business,” he continued.

 

“Operators and service companies are identifying opportunities to do more with less through operational excellence while evaluating the financial outcome of their significant investment. This conference will reflect on the importance of industry transformation, and will address it from many perspectives through panels with invited industry leaders, presentations and open discussions,” added Michael Bittar, MEOS 2017 Conference Programme Co-chairman and Senior Director, Halliburton.

 

Following a record number of abstract submissions, over 270 papers will be presented during 50 technical sessions covering topics related to reservoirs, production and facilities, exploration and appraisal, drilling and completions, project management, human resources, business models and HSSE.

 

The packed agenda at MEOS also includes an executive plenary session featuring leading industry figures discussing the conference theme, an industry keynote session entitled ‘Oil Price Volatility: Continue Investing in the Future to Meet Future Demands or Control Cost to Survive?,’ six panel sessions discussing important matters relevant to today’s industry, and a special workshop entitled ‘Women in Leadership—Invest, Initiate, Innovate’ with influential speakers.

 

Two one-day SPE seminars entitled ‘Advanced Hydraulic Fracturing Design and Treatment’ and ‘Artificial Lift and Production Optimisation Solutions’ will provide delegates with further opportunities to improve technical skills.

 

A full programme of events aimed at the next generation of oil and gas professionals will meanwhile offer high school students, university students and teachers the chance to engage and gain valuable career advice.

 

A three-day exhibition of oil and gas products and services is running parallel to the conference from March 7 to 9. Featuring over 200 exhibitors from 25 countries, it covers all areas of the upstream industry; including exploration, development, production, transportation, and processing of oil and natural gas.

 

Principal exhibitors include GCC national oil and gas companies, who will be exhibiting alongside international supermajors, service industry giants and independent specialist suppliers and distributors from across the globe.

 

“Since its inception in 1979, MEOS has played a significant role in the development and transfer of exploration and production technologies in the Middle East. This global event has successfully united thousands of industry professionals to learn, forge business relationships, share expertise and foster new technologies in one of the most prolific hydrocarbon regions in the world,” said UBM AEM’s Director of Sales and Marketing Fawzi Al Shehabi.

 

“MEOS 2017 builds on 38 years of this successful interaction, and as we look to the future, I am confident that this year’s exchange of experience and technology will further contribute towards the advancement of the oil and gas industry and aid its goal to meet world energy demand efficiently, responsibly and with maximum value,” he added.