Adelaide, Sep 6, 2006 AEST (ABN Newswire) - One of the most significant oil and gas industry conferences to be held in Australia during the current high oil price environment is to be hosted in Adelaide next week.
The three day agenda for the 2006 Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition has as its centrepiece the need for the petroleum sector - a $24 billion a year industry in Australia alone - to thrive amid the challenges created by highly volatile energy prices seen over the past decade.
The theme of the conference is "Thriving on Volatility" and it will centre on How Technology can be focused to improve the Development and Production of Oil and Gas while at the Same Time to Minimise the Impact on the Environment.
The Conference - at the Adelaide Hilton Hotel from September 11-13 - is hosted by the International Society of Petroleum Engineers and has attracted over 500 delegates including industry leaders, technical experts and leading academics from around the world, representing 28 countries, primarily from the Asia Pacific region.
The primary purpose of the conference is to share and exchange ideas, concepts and technical information. There will be 84 technical papers presented in 28 technical sessions over the three days, addressing advances in petroleum exploration, development and production technology.
Rebuilding Iraq's oil industry a special focus
The oil industry in Iraq - one of the Middle East's largest proven oil provinces - has substantially been destroyed by the recent upheavals in that country. Rebuilding the oil industry in Iraq will be the focus of a special conference session. A contingent of senior political and industry representatives from Iraq will discuss the status and potential opportunities for the international oil industry to participate in this rebuilding program.
Another feature of the Conference is to expose and educate senior secondary students to the oil and gas industry as they are the industry leaders of tomorrow. About 50 students and some of their teachers will be spending a day at the Conference.
A Young Professionals Workshop will also be held to provide the opportunity for young engineers to discuss professional and career development, knowledge sharing and technology issues.
"The oil and gas industry is currently experiencing a period of high product prices along with increased competition for quality opportunities, resources and people," Conference Chairman, Mr Wilf Lammerink, said today.
"The world's dependence on oil and gas, changing political and economic dynamics, coupled with increased awareness of the physical vulnerability of our planet, requires constant innovation in finding, developing and producing hydrocarbons," Mr Lammerink said.
"The future sustainability of the energy sector is paramount, and success in this objective lies largely with geoscience and engineering professionals charged with finding and developing our hydrocarbon resources.
"How efficiently and effectively we manage petroleum resources into the future and achieve breakthroughs in environmental performance within a safe and healthy workplace, will be very much the focus of next week's gathering of minds from around the world.
"The extent to which renewable sources of energy can contribute to the overall energy portfolio will be closely examined."
"Big crew change" threatens
Mr Lammerink said an emerging issue for the sector and to be discussed at the Conference is the imminent "big crew change" within the sector in the next decade.
"Many of our most experienced geologists, engineers, drillers and riggers, whether onshore or offshore, have been the stalwarts who got the region's oil and gas industry onto its feet. It is expected that many of these professionals will be retiring during the next five years," Mr Lammerink said.
"For petroleum industry, this poses a issue of how to effectively attract and train talented, professionals. Mentoring and guiding the younger generation to become tomorrow's professionals and at the same time thriving in this volatile environment, is a major issue requiring innovation and evolution."
Contact
Kevin Skinner
Senior Consultant
FIELD PUBLIC RELATIONS
231 South Road
MILE END SA 5031
Tel: (08) 8234 9555
Fax: (08) 8234 9566
Mob: 0414 822 631
kevin@fieldpr.com.au
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