Industry and academia must join hands to attract skilled manpower that can use latest technology to discover untapped petroleum resources, said Bahrain Energy Minister and National Oil and Gas Authority chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

Dr Mirza was speaking at the opening of the 10th Middle East Geosciences Exhibition at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday.

He said Bahrain would attract $20 billion investment in the next 15 years, of the $530bn global investment in the energy sector.

The minister said Bahrain government was keen to develop human resources in the sector and that Bapco is at the forefront of training professionals.

He said the government was proactive and at Tatweer Petroleum latest technology was in practice. Introducing the theme of the conference, 'Shaping the future of geoscience in the Middle East', the minister said it shows the importance the discipline of geoscience has to the region.

"Oil and natural gas located in the unconventional reservoirs, such as heavy oil, oil shales, tight gas reservoirs and gas shales are much larger than what has been produced thus far. The key to the future will be the better understanding of the geology and rock mechanics, in addition to the development of new technology that allows the industry to produce oil and gas from these potential resources," he remarked.

"Great strides are made in the technology associated with advancements in 3D seismic imaging and the like."

"However, a persistent challenge to the industry is the availability of skilled manpower to develop and operate instruments and software packages."

The event until Wednesday has attracted more than 150 exhibitors from 27 countries and covers 14,000sqm of floor space.

"With its large producing fields, immense hydrocarbon reserves and untapped potential, the Middle East will continue to play a pivotal role in supplying the world with its increasing energy needs for the foreseeable future," said organiser Arabian Exhibitions Management director of sales and marketing Fawzi Al Shehabi.

"GEO 2012 represents a timely opportunity for participants to initiate business and at the same time serve the needs of the industry as it seeks to progress through strategic collaboration," he added.-TradeArabia News Service