Innovation Set to Dominate Discussions at ME-TECH 2011

Major Downstream Technology Conference and Exhibition Nears Sell-Out

Dubai, UAE, 6 December, 2010 – Technological innovation to improve operating efficiencies and

product qualities in the Middle East’s rapidly expanding downstream sector looks set to

dominate the agenda at ME-TECH 2001, the region’s first technology focussed conference and

exhibition for the entire downstream oil and gas sector. To date ME-TECH 2011, being held in

Dubai, UAE on 24th to 26th January 2011, has reserved 83 percent of its exhibition space and

sold 60 percent of delegate places. Supported by the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals

Association (GPCA), ME-TECH 2011 is on target to sell-out by mid-January according to

organisers EPC.

“We’ve been inundated by companies wishing to present papers at Middle East Technology

Forum (ME-TECH) 2011 and are very pleased at the response from both technology providers

and the downstream oil and gas sector to the event,” said Colin Chapman, founder and

president of European Petroleum Consultants (EPC).

“The challenge for technology companies today is innovation in solutions that help gas

processors, refiners and petrochemical companies improve margins and operational excellence

and ME-TECH gives innovators and end-users the opportunity to exchange views on cutting

edge downstream oil and gas technology solutions.

“Finding ways to improve operating efficiencies and product qualities, and in many cases

processing heavier feedstock has driven innovation and smart application of improved

catalysts and process configurations which help meet these requirements.”

The event is attracting some of the major players in technology innovation and the downstream

sector to both the exhibition and conference sessions. Regional heavyweights such as SABIC,

Dolphin Energy and Takreer have committed to the event alongside international players such

as UOP, Axens and Shell Global Solutions.

Many view the event as timely due to the Middle East downstream sector’s growing stature in

the eyes of technology suppliers, contractors and equipment manufacturers. The region’s rise in

prominence for downstream sectors has seen a shift in focus by technology providers aiming to

tailor product offerings to suit local clients’ needs. Software developers and information

management specialists will also be hoping to court local producers with exciting innovations.

Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, GPCA Secretary General and keynote speaker at ME-TECH 2011

said of the event; ”The Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association [GPCA] is pleased to

support the first ME-TECH conference as it recognises the importance of presenting up-to-date

developments in technologies for the downstream process industries in this region.

“We are seeing a rapid increase in the growth of the Middle East downstream sector and as

such, the role of ME-TECH is an important one in providing a platform and meeting place for

local oil & gas operators to become updated on the key developments in their field as well as

meeting the major vendors and technology providers.

Downstream service providers and manufacturers expressed confidence about the future of

their operations in the region, and have strong belief that the near future will be one of dynamic

activity. At the recent 2010 GPCA forum, Khalid al Falih, the chief executive of Saudi Aramco

called for significant changes in the GCC's petrochemical industry to usher in a "golden age" of

regional economic development and that developing the region's petrochemicals sector "far

beyond" the production of basic chemicals was vital.

“The demand for cleaner fuels and increasingly strict regulations on refined petroleum

products are requiring refiners to adapt to new operating environments. In addition to these

pressures, greater use of heavy crude requires innovative technologies,” said ME-TECH director

Tamimah Dhaher. “Solutions from technology innovations are key to realising greater

downstream potential.”

ME-TECH 2011 is being held in the Johara Conference Suite at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai,

UAE on the 24th to 26th January. For further information on the conference and exhibition, log

onto the ME-TECH website at www.me-tech.biz

-Ends-

About EPC:

EPC Ltd is an independent consulting company and has extensive experience in providing project management

services on downstream oil & gas projects through all stages of project implementation in various regions of the

world. EPC was formed in 1996 and has been very active in supplying consulting services to different oil & gas

operators in the Former Soviet Union and also to other clients in Western Europe and Africa. Please visit

www.europetro.com for full details.

For more information, please contact:

Preeti Chhatbar / Shaden Abdellatif

Hill & Knowlton

+9714 33 44 930

preeti.chhatbar@hillandknowlton.com

shaden.abdellatif@hillandknowlton.com