Environment & Energy | Tuesday 3 September, 2019 3:30 am |

The 2019 edition of the World Heavy Oil Congress & Exhibition (WHOC) in Oman has officially opened. For the next three days, over 500 international industry professionals and experts will connect, discuss, and deliberate fostering global collaboration for a fitter heavy oil industry.

 

A high-level delegation led by His Excellency Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Undersecretary Ministry of Oil and Gas toured the exhibition, which will run until Wednesday, where regional and international NOCs, IOCs, service and technology providers are showcasing the best technologies, products and services for the heavy oil sector. The exhibition will host LCC and SLCC Pavilion organised by PDO, notable exhibitors include Al Baraka Oilfield Services, Al Shawamikh Oil Services, Dohat Al Khaleej LLC, Berba, Mideast Integrated Drilling & Well Services Company, Peace Land Energy, Al Sawari International Investments, Al Sahari Oil Services, and NCC Oman, among others. 

 

A highlight of the Strategic Conference was a session by HE Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi providing insights on how Oman’s heavy oil activities can make heavy oil a sustainable fuel of choice and contribute to the Sultanate’s  long-term economic development, and how governments worldwide are supporting and encouraging global collaboration and cooperation to accelerate heavy oil exploration, production and growth.

 

“Heavy oil continues to dominate and production will continue to rise. Our strategy is to localize the industry and increase our ability to respond fast. That’s where we’re driving our In-Country Value programme, which all operators are supporting,” said HE Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi. “Oman continues to be open for business. The message to international operators is transfer your technology, share it with us, and we will extend our support to you as well.”

 

Welcoming participants from all around the globe, Jean-Philippe Cossé, Senior Vice President - Energy, Middle East of dmg events, said, “Over the next 3 days, with the tireless support over the last 12 months of our Strategic and Technical Committee’s, we have put together new content from across the globe covering all areas of heavy oil production and upgrading, from technical case studies to forward thinking panel discussions.”

 

A key focus of the day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PDO, Oman Shell, Oman LNG and the Oman Oil-Orpic Group, focusing on increasing Omanisation rates in their turnaround services. Through it, the companies have committed to developing a self-sustaining business model for the turnaround activities of oil and gas installations. The ultimate goal is to increase Omanisation in the Turnaround Execution Workforce (“TEW”), with potential for future expansion in other activities based upon the success of the new initiative.

 

PDO Managing Director, Raoul Restucci, commented on the agreement: “The Turnaround project is a great example of key operators, covering the full spectrum of up/mid and downstream operations in the Oman oil and gas industry, working collaboratively together to deliver In-Country Value. The Congress provided us with an excellent opportunity to publicize this important step in our efforts to develop Omani talent in the industry, as well as allowing us to set an example of how such collaborations can encourage a more sustainable oil and gas future globally.”

 

Running simultaneously to the Strategic Conference, the Technical Conference began with 18 stimulating sessions. Providing an invaluable opportunity for heavy oil professionals to learn from one another, the sessions addressed a number of current hot topics including Advances in Chemical Flooding, Well Completion, Heavy Oil Field Development, Technology Advancement in Heavy Oil Processing, and Operational Excellence in Heavy Oil.  

 

Held under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil & Gas, the World Heavy Oil Congress & Exhibition is co-hosted by Petroleum Development Oman. The highly anticipated event is supported by the Ministry of Oil & Gas, with JP Global Digital and Occidental Oman returning to the event as the Gold sponsor, and Maha Energy as Silver Sponsor.