Oil and Gas Professionals Find Global Meeting Point in Abu Dhabi

ADIPEC Creates Opportunities to Make New Connections,
Drive Business Growth

UAE Capital is at Crossroads of Global Energy Industry

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 26 October 2017 – This year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) will give oil and gas professionals an unrivalled platform to meet potential new business partners from around the world, organisers said today during the lead-up to the annual event.

From exclusive C-suite networking sessions in the VIP-only Middle East Petroleum Club, to a bespoke matchmaking concierge service that will pre-arrange highly targeted face-to-face meetings, ADIPEC will offer a wide range of carefully designed opportunities for visitors, delegates and exhibitors to make valuable new connections and drive business growth.

“ADIPEC puts Abu Dhabi at the crossroads of the global energy industry, bringing together more than 100,000 professionals from across the world, all wanting to move their business forward,” said Jean-Philippe Cossé, Vice President, Middle East – Global Energy at dmg events, which organizes ADIPEC. “When you come to ADIPEC, you know you are having the right conversations with the right people – whether that’s between top CEOs discussing markets and strategy, or a buyer and seller closing a deal on the exhibition floor.”

To support ADIPEC’s role as a meetings hub, recent editions have seen consistent development of features designed to help bring people together.

For senior government ministers and officials, as well as C-level attendees, the Middle East Petroleum Club is the exclusive VIP club for oil and gas decision-makers. It provides an environment for high-level private networking, first introduced in 2013.

For trade professionals, the biggest challenge can be to identify opportunities amid the vast scale of ADIPEC. Over four days, the event will attract an estimated 10,000 conference delegates and 100,000 exhibition visitors from around 135 countries, while 2,200 exhibiting companies are confirmed from more than 53 countries. Those numbers keep growing year on year, partly because ADIPEC keeps expanding in its scope. In 2015, the Offshore and Marine area was launched, while last year the Security in Energy event was added to the programme. This year the downstream oil and gas industries will be included for the first time, as part of the expanded conference programme covering both strategic and technical content for the sector. Each comes with its own conference programme and exhibition area, and attracts additional attendees.

With so much ground to cover, 2017 will see an expansion of ADIPEC’s Global Meetings Programme, which acts as a vehicle to drive bi-lateral trade as buyers and sellers from all around the world converge on the event. This bespoke networking and matchmaking service gives conference delegates, exhibitors and VIPs an efficient way to search for and connect with new and existing business contacts, and pre-arrange meetings either in a dedicated lounge or on exhibitor stands.

Each attendee at ADIPEC can upload a profile onto the Global Meetings Programme platform, including company and personal details, listing their areas of interest, and the programme will suggest possible meetings. Anyone attending ADIPEC can use the programme, although access will be higher depending on the type of badge a participant holds.

“The matchmaking concierge service organised around 600 meetings last year, a number we plan to more than triple to about 2,000 for 2017, and we have designed the system to make sure these are all high-value meetings for both sides,” said Jean-Philippe Cossé. “An important feature of the system is that, although initial matches are made by sophisticated algorithms, recommendations are checked and validated by a member of our specialised concierge team before passing them on.”

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and organised by the Global Energy division of dmg events, ADIPEC is one of the world’s leading oil and gas events, and the largest in Africa and the Middle East.

ADIPEC will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 November 2017.

– ENDS –

About ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by the Global Energy division of dmg events, ADIPEC is the global meeting point for oil and gas professionals. Standing as one of the world’s top energy events, and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, ADIPEC is a knowledge-sharing platform that enables industry experts to exchange ideas and information that shape the future of the energy sector. The 20th edition of ADIPEC will take place from 13-16 November, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). ADIPEC 2017 will be hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Chamber, the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Ports and the Department of Education and Knowledge. dmg Global Energy is committed to helping the growing international energy community bridge gaps by bringing oil and gas professionals face to face with new technologies and business opportunities.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nour Soliman

Senior Marketing Manager, DMG Events Global Energy

Twofour54, Park Rotana Offices, 6^th Floor

PO Box 769256, Abu Dhabi, UAE

T: +971 (0)2 6970 515

Wallis

[email protected]

T: +971 4 275 4100

Mark Robinson (English): +971 (0)55 127 9764

Feras Hamzah (Arabic): +971 (0)50 798 4784

ADIPEC 2017 Expected to See Increased Business for Offshore & Marine Services

Modest Spending Increase Forecast for Maintenance and Production

Significant Potential in Natural Gas, New Offshore Exploration and Production Opportunities in Eastern Mediterranean

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Offshore and Marine industry is expected to see increased business at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), with analysts predicting modest increases in spending for maintenance and production in the oil sector, and significant investment expected for new offshore natural gas projects in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Analysis by consultancy Douglas-Westwood has found that, although investment in new offshore production remains low, compared with pre-2014 levels, the outlook for maintenance, modifications and operations is ‘notably more positive’. Much of the rebound is caused by work orders, that have been delayed, coming back online.

Within the GCC area, 2017 has seen Saudi Aramco sign agreements with Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) to purchase four offshore platforms and associated equipment, as well as a separate deal for the supply of 17 offshore jackets – the steel frames that support the platform.

Globally, consultants Wood Mackenzie are predicting renewed exploration and production for deep-water projects, with efficiency improvements having lowered the breakeven price by 20 per cent in the past three years.

“We are seeing renewed optimism among companies supporting offshore production, with demand underpinned by an industry that is now more efficient, stabilising prices, and the need to meet anticipated rising demand,” said Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Al Yasat CEO and ADIPEC 2017 Chairman.

“ADIPEC supports this growth as a market where suppliers can network with purchasing decision makers and generate new business. Its comprehensive strategic and technical conference programmes provide an unrivalled opportunity for specialised knowledge exchange.”

Natural gas is a significant contributor to the positive outlook, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, where Egypt is seeing around USD 27.3 billion worth of investments across the Zohr, North Alexandria and Noras gas fields, and 76 new upstream exploration concessions have been signed worth around USD 1.5 billion. Cypriot and Lebanese waters also offer fresh opportunities for offshore exploration and production in the Eastern Mediterranean.

As investment moves into the sector, new projects will create business opportunities at ADIPEC’s unique Offshore and Marine area, which returns in 2017 for its third year.

Set directly on the waterfront, adjacent to the main ADIPEC venue, it is held in a dedicated purpose-built exhibition and conference space, with product displays encompassing the full value chain, from rigs, vessels, ship building, and subsea drilling equipment, to certification, pipelines, mooring, and tools for reservoir production and mapping.

The display’s defining feature will be the temporary quay, with a series of state-of-the-art offshore vessels berthed directly alongside the venue, including a jack-up barge, high-speed craft and landing craft, tugboats, and platform supply vessels up to 70 metres in length. Visitors will be able to tour the vessels on display, seeing the latest evolution in marine engineering and technology first-hand.

Mohammad Rizal, Chief Operating Officer at UAE-based shipyard group, Drydocks World, says the unique venue is an ideal setting for offshore suppliers to demonstrate their achievements and generate new business.

“At ADIPEC 2017, Drydocks World intends to update the marine industry on the yard’s offshore capabilities, while showcasing the world-first cutting-edge projects completed in the yard that demonstrate our competency to execute large-scale projects with a proven track record of excellent HSEQ standards,” said Mohammad Rizal. “We look forward to taking our business further and discussing future possibilities during ADIPEC 2017.”

For 2017, an expanded conference programme will underpin continued efficiency, innovation, and growth, as well as offer insights into new opportunities.

The breadth and quality of ADIPEC’s conference schedule has long set it apart from its peers. This year’s Offshore & Marine programme will offer unrivalled opportunities to hear from leading executives and experts in their field, and will cover an array of important topics from both a strategic and technical perspective. There will also be a dedicated session on the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre, and the processes available for resolving maritime legal disputes quickly and without unnecessary cost.

The specialised exhibition and conference area is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors and 150 exhibitors. Companies with confirmed spaces include NPCC, Zakher Marine International (ZMI), Horizon Geosciences, Seajacks, Seacontractors, Seatrax, Guidance Marine, ADNOC, Khalid Faraj Shipping, Overseas Marine Logistics, Drydocks World – Dubai, and Maridive Group.

Panel discussions will be held over three days, covering future expectations and challenges, driving growth, and adapting to new market conditions. Confirmed speakers include senior executives from National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), Wintershall, Cepsa Gas Comercializadora, McDermott, Foresight Group, Abu Dhabi Ship Building, Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company (CHC), Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA), Scottish Government Oil and Gas Taskforce, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), and ADNOC Logistics & Services.

ADIPEC will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 November 2017.

– ENDS –

About ADIPEC

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nour Soliman

Senior Marketing Manager, DMG Events Global Energy

Twofour54, Park Rotana Offices, 6^th Floor

PO Box 769256, Abu Dhabi, UAE

T: +971 (0)2 6970 515

Wallis

[email protected]

T: +971 4 275 4100

Mark Robinson (English): +971 (0)55 127 9764

Feras Hamzah (Arabic): +971 (0)50 798 4784

Biggest Non-OPEC Oil Producers Look to Abu Dhabi for New Business

ADIPEC Experiencing Record Bookings from Russia and Central Asia

CEO-Level Delegations from Russia’s Top Oil and Gas Companies, National Pavilion More Than Five Times the Size of 2016

Growing Industry Seeks Greater Access to International Markets

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Leading companies from the largest oil producing region outside OPEC, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), will be increasing their presence at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), targeting the event as a hub for global deal-makers.

Two of Russia’s biggest oil and gas companies – Lukoil and Gazprom – have each confirmed substantial exhibition areas, with CEOs and other top-level decision makers leading their company delegations and taking part in strategic conference panels. They will be the biggest names among more than 30 Russian companies attending, many of them hosted at a Russian pavilion covering almost 600 square metres of exhibition floorspace – almost six times the size of last year’s 105 square metre pavilion.

They will be joined by resource owners from other CIS members, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, as well as by oilfield services companies from the region. Based in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union, they will be using ADIPEC as a gateway to international expansion.

“Russia is among the top 10 countries of the world in terms of oil reserves, and this has supported the growth of a highly sophisticated petroleum industry, from exploration and production, through to oilfield technology and services, transit, refining, distribution, and sales,” said Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov. “Russian companies are now actively expanding their international operations, and ADIPEC offers them access to global partnerships, including for new resources, new markets, and new investment.”

Alongside the big oil and gas producers, other well-known industry names attending ADIPEC include SCADTech, Revalve (PKTBA in Russia), Intra, Transneft Diascan, OZNA, GazNefteMash, and PTPA. The Skolkovo innovation, science and technology cluster, based just outside Moscow will also be an exhibitor.

Stretching from the edge of Europe, into Central Asia, and across Siberia into the Russian Far East, oil and gas projects in the CIS area have already attracted substantial investment from multinationals. Alongside the Western oil majors and supermajors, the region features a strong presence from other parts of Asia. Companies working in the region include Petronas from Malaysia, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korea National Oil Corporation, and ITOCHU and INPEX from Japan.

As the industry moves beyond resource extraction, local NOCs and private oil companies are using their assets to move deeper into midstream and downstream sectors, as well as expanding beyond their borders.

Russia’s three largest operators lead this transformation. Rosneft, Lukoil and Gazprom now hold exploration, production and processing operations across the CIS and beyond, from Latin America to the North Sea, and from Africa to India and Southeast Asia. They have made significant investments in the MENA region, including in Iraq, Egypt and Libya, and are negotiating for projects in other countries. Lukoil has expressed interest in Abu Dhabi’s offshore leases when these are extended from 2018.

“ADIPEC is an essential destination for global oil and gas companies, so it makes sense that the big companies from the CIS come here,” said Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Al Yasat CEO and ADIPEC 2017 Chairman.

“We are located at the heart of the world’s most important oil and gas suppliers, so the biggest international customers, service companies, and investors, all come to ADIPEC, and they all bring their most senior people. We have a very strong presence from Asian markets, from India to China. ADIPEC is an opportunity to reach all of these of these markets and find new partners around the globe. Most importantly, the people who network at ADIPEC are the decision makers and they are here to do business.”

For companies from the CIS, partnerships to be found in Abu Dhabi can help drive the next evolution of their global business. While mainly driven by economic factors, diplomatic and political concerns are also motivating Russian businesses to look away from the United States or European Union. Cooperation with Asian partners, and with China in particular, is the most immediate priority.

China’s ambitious ‘New Silk Road’ project will improve trade links through Central Asia, with massive investment in new East-West land transport corridors passing through China, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, as well as Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. The plan aims to revive the importance of historic overland links between East Asia and Europe, while also improving cross-border trade and investment between countries along the route.

For petroleum industries, new pipelines currently under construction between Russia and China are projected to add an extra 15 million tonnes of oil and 38 billion cubic metres of natural gas into the Chinese market per year. They are being built by ADIPEC-sponsor, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). CNPC has oil and gas operations in all the main CIS producer nations, across the Middle East, and both North and Sub-Saharan Africa among its global operations, involved in production, oilfield services, and construction.

“Business and trade links across the region are extremely dynamic, and oil and gas businesses are highly interconnected,” said Christopher Hudson, President – Global Energy at dmg events. “When you look at recent deals, CNPC has signed a group of agreements with both Rosneft and Gazprom this year, covering upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. That’s why ADIPEC is so important. It provides a time and place each year where the giants of oil and gas come together, whether they are the established supermajors of the West or the emerging powers of the East.”

To be held under the theme ‘Forging Ties, Driving Growth’, ADIPEC 2017 is expected to host more than 10,000 delegates, 2,200 exhibiting companies, 900 speakers, and in excess 100,000 visitors from 135 countries.

ADIPEC will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 November 2017.

– ENDS –

About ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by the Global Energy division of dmg events, ADIPEC is the global meeting point for oil and gas professionals. Standing as one of the world’s top energy events, and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, ADIPEC is a knowledge-sharing platform that enables industry experts to exchange ideas and information that shape the future of the energy sector. The 20^th edition of ADIPEC takes place from 13-16 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). ADIPEC 2017 is supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). dmg Global Energy is committed to helping the growing international energy community bridge gaps by bringing oil and gas professionals face to face with new technologies and business opportunities.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nour Soliman

Senior Marketing Manager, DMG Events Global Energy

Twofour54, Park Rotana Offices, 6^th Floor

PO Box 769256, Abu Dhabi, UAE

T: +971 (0)2 6970 515

Wallis

[email protected]

T: +971 4 275 4100

Mark Robinson (English): +971 (0)55 127 9764

Feras Hamzah (Arabic): +971 (0)50 798 4784

Women continue to be change-makers and take on bigger roles in the oil and gas industry

Women in Energy Conference Returns as Part of ADIPEC 2017

Advancing Career Opportunities for Science, Technology and Engineering Graduates

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Women continue to take on bigger roles in the oil and gas industry, with a new generation of female professionals seeking careers in scientific or technical roles, say industry leaders scheduled to take part in the ADIPEC Women in Energy conference, in Abu Dhabi, in November.

Held as part of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), more than 200 delegates are expected to attend Women in Energy, offering a full day of discussions on strategies aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within the global oil and gas industry.

While female professionals are increasingly well-represented in business management, or administration roles, a growing number are also seeking opportunities in technical fields.

“Women are dramatically under-represented in roles traditionally viewed as men’s work, such as science or engineering careers,” said Aida Araissi, Founder and CEO of the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce. Araissi has worked extensively with oil and gas industry leaders, helping forge stronger business ties between the United States and Middle East.

“There are many young women studying and qualifying to work in these areas, and it is time to create more opportunities,” Araissi said. “We need to mentor women in achieving their potential, and ensuring that their contribution is visible to industry leaders and decision makers as they move forward in their careers.”

The Women in Energy conference will include a full day of sessions aimed at highlighting the contribution women are making in the industry, and how industry leaders, both men and women, can join hands to build a diverse and inclusive workspace for future generations. Panel discussions will feature women working at several international and local companies, including Petronas, Lukoil, Nova Chemicals and Tatweer Petroleum, sharing their knowledge and experience, and exploring strategies for promoting diversity across the board.

Research by the Boston Consulting Group, for the World Petroleum Council, has found that fewer than a fifth of oil and gas workers are female. The disparity is particularly acute in offshore and marine, refining, and petrochemicals, in which women hold just 15 per cent of entry-level technical and field positions. By comparison, female graduates hold half of entry-level office and business-support positions.

The Women in Energy programme includes a significant emphasis on scientific and technical careers. In a live on-stage interview, journalist Reem Abdellatif will speak to female executives from Baker Hughes, a GE Company, as well as Petroleum Development Oman, about ways to include more women in less conventional fields such as refining and petrochemicals, offshore and marine, among others. Other sessions include technical case study presentations where female industry leaders and project managers will discuss key developments about oil and gas projects they are working on.

“Educators have achieved great success in encouraging many more girls and young women to pursue studies in ‘STEM’ subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and female students perform notably well in many of these areas,” said Reem Abdellatif, the English-language editor-in-chief at financial news website Argaam.

“The challenge is to ensure there are suitable career paths for young female professionals as they graduate, and continuing development throughout their working lives. The Women in Energy conference can help oil and gas firms capitalise on the talent available to them.”

ADIPEC will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 November 2017, with Women in Energy conference sessions taking place on Thursday 16 November.

– ENDS –

About ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by the Global Energy division of dmg events, ADIPEC is the global meeting point for oil and gas professionals. Standing as one of the world’s top energy events, and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, ADIPEC is a knowledge-sharing platform that enables industry experts to exchange ideas and information that shape the future of the energy sector. The 19^th edition of ADIPEC 2016 took place from 7-10 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). ADIPEC 2016 was supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). dmg Global Energy is committed to helping the growing international energy community bridge gaps by bringing oil and gas professionals face to face with new technologies and business opportunities.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nour Soliman

Senior Marketing Manager, DMG Events Global Energy

Twofour54, Park Rotana Offices, 6^th Floor

PO Box 769256, Abu Dhabi, UAE

T: +971 (0)2 6970 515

Wallis

[email protected]

T: +971 4 275 4100

Mark Robinson (English): +971 (0)55 127 9764

Feras Hamzah (Arabic): +971 (0)50 798 4784

ADIPEC Will Drive Strategic Evolution of Oil and Gas Industry

Middle East NOCs Identify Diversification as Priority for Stable
Long-Term Business Growth

Investment Strategies Aim to Maximise Revenue from Each Barrel of Oil

ADIPEC Will Support Vertical Integration Through Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Value Chain

Abu Dhabi, UAE – An expanded and restructured strategic conference programme at the world’s leading annual meeting for senior oil and gas decision makers, the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), will play a vital role in driving strategic investment decisions across the industry’s full value chain, organisers said today.

Investment in refining and selling the oil and gas industry’s end products, such as fuel, plastics, and petrochemicals, is emerging as a core business strategy among Middle East national oil companies (NOCs) wanting to capture more of the processed value of their natural resource.

ADIPEC’s 2017 strategic programme will be restructured to reflect this change. An expanded programme recognises the conference’s high-level participants – who include some of the world’s most powerful oil and gas CEOs – command businesses that cover the full scope of upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.

“ADIPEC’s guiding purpose is to be the convening power for the global industry, a platform where the industry’s leading CEOs define and refine their strategic direction,” said Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Al Yasat CEO and ADIPEC 2017 Chairman. “Although exploration, production and export of crude oil remain the foundation of the region’s NOCs, today’s business models increasingly look beyond this, making downstream investments that accumulate benefits through each value-added process. ADIPEC is committed to acting as a driving force in support of this evolution.”

ADIPEC’s strategic conference programme will include several ministerial sessions and four global business leader sessions, offering panel discussions and interviews with some of the senior government and industry decision makers who are shaping the future of oil and gas. An additional four downstream global business leader sessions will focus exclusively on value-added processes. Specialised sessions within the conference programme will offer knowledge exchange in areas such as security, the offshore and marine sector, and the role of women in the energy industry. For C-level delegates, there will be 10 C-suite dialogues, offering highly exclusive, interactive panel discussions of critical business issues. As well as the strategic conference, ADIPEC offers oil and gas professionals 119 technical sessions catering to all aspects of the industry.

The conference programme sits alongside a world-class commercial exhibition and offers unrivalled one-to-one business networking opportunities, confirming ADIPEC as a deal-making hub where the industry’s most influential decision makers find connections and forge partnerships that will drive future growth.

As a platform for discussing the industry’s most important issues, ADIPEC consistently adapts to meet leadership concerns. From a strong focus on exploration and production during the pre-2014 period of sustained high oil prices, 2015 and 2016 have emphasised innovation and improved efficiency to reduce immediate costs. The latest changes recognise an industry adapting to a new normal. This sees investment returning to exploration and production in anticipation of rising demand, growing interest in natural gas, and a long-term imperative to add value to the resource.

As part of its integrated 2030 Strategy, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), which hosts ADIPEC, is creating more profitable downstream and more valuable upstream businesses. The strategy will increase production capacity to 3.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2018; increase gasoline production to 10.2 million tonnes per annum by 2022, and grow petrochemicals production from 4.5 million tonnes in 2016 to 11.4 million tonnes by 2025. It will also diversify its range of high-value innovative plastics solutions. Similar goals are being set by NOCs across the Middle East and beyond.

The emerging business approach seeks to maximise the value of each barrel that NOCs produce, by generating additional revenue from each layer of processing, distribution and sales. As well as generating more revenue, investments along the value chain can smooth out the impact of fluctuations in oil and gas prices, as rising or falling markets affect each layer of the industry differently.

According to analysis by the Boston Consulting Group, low prices for crude oil will often reduce profits for exploration and production, but at the same time will increase profits downstream as inputs become cheaper and buyer demand rises. When the oil price dropped sharply during 2014, margins at major European and Asian refining hubs went up, rising by around 72 per cent in Rotterdam and 57 per cent in Singapore. High prices for crude shift the balance in the opposite direction.

“With our strategic conference programme for 2017, ADIPEC breaks down the division between upstream and midstream sectors, extracting and transporting the natural resource, and downstream value-adding and manufacturing of products for the end customer,” said Christopher Hudson, President – dmg events, Global Energy, which organises ADIPEC.

“All these elements are one industry, and many of the CEOs who will convene at ADIPEC have a growing portfolio of responsibilities for every layer of a global, vertically integrated business. To fulfil our mission as the convening power for the global oil and gas industry, we must enable dialogue and insight across the full scope of their responsibilities and concerns.”

Confirmed speakers for the ADIPEC conference include H. E. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and H.E. Suhail Mohamed Mazrouei, Minister of Energy of the United Arab Emirates, as well as government ministers from Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Nigeria and Mexico. They will be joined by CEOs from major NOCs, international oil companies (IOCs) and leading oilfield services firms, as well as top industry experts.

Conference sessions and panel discussions include broad-ranging knowledge exchange on achieving stable and sustainable long-term growth for the industry, including through collaboration and partnerships, innovation and efficiency of operations, enabling smart growth across the value chain, and driving investment into downstream refining and petrochemicals. Change and industry disruption will be important topics, looking at how the petroleum industry can adapt to the changing roles of oil and natural gas in a low-carbon future.

ADIPEC will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 November 2017.

– ENDS –

About ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by the Global Energy division of dmg events, ADIPEC is the global meeting point for oil and gas professionals. Standing as one of the world’s top energy events, and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, ADIPEC is a knowledge-sharing platform that enables industry experts to exchange ideas and information that shape the future of the energy sector. The 19^th edition of ADIPEC 2016 took place from 7-10 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). ADIPEC 2016 was supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). dmg Global Energy is committed to helping the growing international energy community bridge gaps by bringing oil and gas professionals face to face with new technologies and business opportunities.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nour Soliman

Senior Marketing Manager, DMG Events Global Energy

Twofour54, Park Rotana Offices, 6^th Floor

PO Box 769256, Abu Dhabi, UAE

T: +971 (0)2 6970 515

Wallis

[email protected]

T: +971 4 275 4100

Mark Robinson (English): +971 (0)55 127 9764

Feras Hamzah (Arabic): +971 (0)50 798 4784

Oil and Gas Industry is a Prime Target for Cyber Criminals

Oil and Gas Industry Accounted for 25% of Victims in June’s NotPetya Ransomware Attack; Frequency of Incidents Growing by
350% Year on Year

ADIPEC 2017’s Security in Energy Conference Will Focus on Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Crime Risks and Deploy Defence Mechanisms to Protect Critical Industry Systems and Infrastructure

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Organisers of the second annual Security in Energy conference, to be held in Abu Dhabi in November, say that oil and gas has been exposed as a prime target for cyber criminals after the industry was singled out during international ransomware attacks.

Co-located within the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), Security in Energy recognises the increasingly critical importance of IT systems to oil and gas operations, and follows two major ransomware attacks in the first half of 2017.

The second of these, the NotPetya attack at the end of June, appears to have specifically targeted oil and gas companies. According to analysis by Kaspersky Labs, just three business sectors accounted for around 80 per cent of targets. Oil and gas accounted for around 25 per cent, a close second to the finance sector, and just ahead of manufacturing.

“Cybercrime is a serious problem for any business, but recent incidents raise concerns that oil and gas companies will be high-priority targets for attacks,” said Christopher Hudson, President – Global Energy at dmg events, which organises ADIPEC in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

“The Security in Energy conference provides a robust discussion specific to the needs of this industry, helping companies ensure that strong defences are in place.”

Recent reports predict the Middle East cyber security market will grow from US$11.38 billion in 2017 to US$22.14 billion by 2022. ADIPEC’s Security in Energy Conference delivers the latest market intelligence in energy security protocols, and places a spotlight on the best innovations, security practices and crisis planning within the industry.

Specific conference sessions will cover key topics in cyber security, including ransomware; the internet of things (IoT); the convergence of operating technology and IT; security and compliance risks in cloud computing; risk management for supply chain and business continuity and the use of big data and analytics. Keynote addresses will focus on the balance between investment and risk, and the impact of regional collaboration on oil and gas security, with discussions to include both defensive and offensive approaches to security.

The conference programme is planned to offer immediate relevance to oil and gas. For example, there will be a significant discussion of threats to critical infrastructure, where attacks could cause widespread operational disruption and safety risks. It will offer insights into and front-line protection strategies, whether for new systems, or by retrofitting of existing industrial control systems to build secure and resilient operations.

There will also be a dedicated Security in Energy zone within the ADIPEC exhibition halls.

“Illicit cyber activity is here to stay,” said Don Randall, Former Head of Security and Chief Information Security Officer for the Bank of England, who will be sharing his expertise during the conference. “But understanding the motivation of the perpetrators, with appropriate responses and education, can substantially reduce the risk and harm.”

The list of speakers will feature leading figures from organisations tasked with tackling cybercrime in the Middle East, including Ahmed Alshemaly, Director, Cyber Defense Centre, National Electronic Security Authority (NESA), United Arab Emirates; Eng. Ibrahim AlShamrani, Executive Director of Operations, National Cyber Security Center, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia; and Mohammed Bushlaibi, Forensic Analyst, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), United Arab Emirates. They will speak alongside renowned international experts.

According to Accenture’s High Performance Security 2016 Report, 96 cyberattacks were reported over 12 months by oil and gas company heads, while 55 per cent of oil and gas leaders say the need to fill cybersecurity gaps in end point or network security is their most pressing concern. The Cisco 2017 Annual Cybersecurity Report estimates that the frequency of ransomware attacks is growing by around 350 per cent each year. The tools to conduct an attack are easy to obtain and easy to use. Ransomware is even available as a software-as-a-service subscription.

While the number of attacks is increasing, there are concerns that some oil and gas companies have reduced their security budgets as they struggle to balance cost and risk at a time when finances are under pressure, leaving themselves dangerously exposed. The Security in Energy conference sessions will aim to bridge this awareness gap, emphasise the importance of building a solid defence platform against cyber-attacks and understanding the fallout of an attack and its implications to business.

“Cybercrime is a threat to the global economy,” said Sandip Patel, QC, a UK-based lawyer and leading international expert on prosecuting cybercrime cases in court, and one of the speakers at the Security in Energy conference. “Some estimates cost it at more than 445 billion dollars, but the true cost is far greater as many countries do not report on this.”

By co-locating security within ADIPEC, one of the world’s most important strategic gatherings for top global oil and gas executives, Security in Energy ensures that the integrity of systems is part of a broader discussion of industry issues.

A company’s security protocols are generally in the capable hands of the CIO/CISO. However, in order for the protocols to be 100 per cent understood and delivered, it is the priority of the entire organisation, from the top-down and bottom-up, to ensure a solid framework and delivery. Bridging the vocabulary gap between security professionals and their CEO’s and senior management teams is vital to ensure they are all aligned on the ever-present security risks to their organisation.

“Reducing cost and improving efficiency are important messages in oil and gas today, and many companies are investing in technology to reduce their costs,” said Christopher Hudson. “Keeping that technology safe and secure needs to be a number one priority. It needs to be as much a concern for the Chief Executive Officer as it is for the Chief Information Officer.

“Security in Energy recognises that this is a core issue for a modern business, and cannot be pushed into a departmental silo.”

ADIPEC will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 November 2017, with the Security in Energy Conference to be held on 14 and 15 November.

– ENDS –

About ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by the Global Energy division of dmg events, ADIPEC is the global meeting point for oil and gas professionals. Standing as one of the world’s top energy events, and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, ADIPEC is a knowledge-sharing platform that enables industry experts to exchange ideas and information that shape the future of the energy sector. The 19^th edition of ADIPEC 2016 took place from 7-10 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). ADIPEC 2016 was supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). dmg Global Energy is committed to helping the growing international energy community bridge gaps by bringing oil and gas professionals face to face with new technologies and business opportunities.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nour Soliman

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Mark Robinson (English): +971 (0)55 127 9764

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Month: November 2017