The challenges and opportunities facing the Middle East's downstream oil industry will be discussed during a key forum in Abu Dhabi in May.

The Middle East Downstream Week, from May 8-11, will  bring together leading policy makers, ministries, NOCs, IOCs, refiners, research institutes, petrochemical producers, financiers, consultants and leading technology and solution providers.
 
“The Middle East refining sector is faced with low margins and overcapacity in the short
term compounded by increasingly stringent quality and environmental standards,” said
Dominica Andrews, project director for Middle East Downstream Week.  

“A more demanding project finance environment also makes it even more challenging to justify and move forward with new build, revamp and capacity expansion projects,” she added.

Andrews said uncertainty in the market, potential impact of non refinery supply additions (biofuels, XTLs and NGLs), and the game changing potential of Iraq’s reserves are all concerns facing the region’s top executives, “which is why we have put together a platform for information and ideas exchange, networking, and practical solutions for the industry to address these issues as a whole.”

The event will for the first time also look to the North Africa region for particular insight into their refining potential, namely in Libya and Algeria. 

The Abu Dhabi-based oil refining giant, Takreer, will for the fourth year running, be co-host for Middle East Downstream Week. 

Takreer’s general manager, Jasem Ali Al Sayegh, said the company is proud to co-host the event again in Abu Dhabi, which he described as “the epicentre of the UAE's oil and gas sector, government and business life.” 

Prior to the main conference, Axens will host a complimentary technical seminar for the second year, where they will address the operational and technical challenges facing refiners.  Immediately following the seminar, the Downstream Integration Workshop will address the planning, operational and technical challenges of building and operating integrated refining and petrochemicals facilities.

Finally, the Middle East Fuels Symposium will bring together automotive, marine and aviation representatives alongside refiners, solution providers and policy makers to address the impact of clean fuels regulations on the industry. Technology developments to meet stricter fuels specifications and marketing strategies in a regulated environment will be addressed.

The high-level line-up of high profile industry personalities include:
* Jasem Ali Al Sayegh, general manager, Abu Dhabi Oild Refining Company
(Takreer)
* Jean Jacques Mosconi, senior vice president, strategy, Total
* Solomon Mirza, vice president, strategic planning and capital allocation, Shell Downstream
* Bakheet Al Rashidi, deputy managing director for planning and local marketing, Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)
* Dr Partha Maitra, president, petroleum business, Reliance Industries

Event programme:                                                                               
* Axens Middle East Refining Seminar: May 8
* Downstream Integration Workshop: May 8
* Main conference: May 9-10
* Middle East Fuels Symposium: May 11  - TradeArabia News Service