The Middle East’s energy industry needs to invest in innovation and sustainability initiatives to meet increased global demand, according to industry experts attending this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) in November.

The global energy demand will be 37 per cent higher by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook.

With the Middle East expected to become the major source of oil supply growth, investment in cutting-edge innovation and technology will help the region’s energy industry meet growing needs.

The Adipec, under the theme ‘Innovation and Sustainability in a New Energy World,’ will see global experts, industry decision-makers, and senior government executives coming together to address how innovation in products, services, and processes will deliver safe, reliable energy solutions and achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability targets.

Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), organised by dmg events and supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and the Abu Dhabi Chamber, the 18th edition of the event will run from November 9 to 12 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

More than 2,000 exhibitors, 85,000 visitors, and 7,000 delegates are expected to attend this year’s event, surpassing Adipec’s  record 2014 numbers.

Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Adipec 2015 chairman, and strategy and co-ordination director at Adnoc, said: “Innovation is a continuous process, and Adipec 2015 is the best place to see the latest innovations in the hydrocarbon industry, both regionally and worldwide. In line with the announcement from our visionary UAE leadership that 2015 will be marked as the ‘Year of Innovation’, Adnoc and its companies are focused on innovation across all its projects.

“Adipec provides a perfect platform for collaborating, sharing and partnering as we maximise our joint resources and expertise. The event continues to raise Abu Dhabi’s profile as a global knowledge hub for the energy sector.”

Adnoc, the show’s main sponsor, is one of the largest oil production companies in the world, producing more than 2.7 million barrels of oil a day. The company is committed to adopting the best safety and sustainability standards in all its practices.

According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), global daily demand for oil will rise from around 91 million barrels a day in 2014 to 111 million barrels a day by 2040.

Major national and international oil companies that are set to take part in the event include the Bahrain Petroleum Company, the China National Petroleum Corporation, the Korea National Oil Corporation, the Kuwait Oil Company, Qatar Petroleum, Saudi Aramco, as well as BP, ExxonMobil, the Japan Oil Development Co, Oxy, Partex Oil and Gas, Shell, Statoil, and Total.

Oil field service giants Schlumberger and Weatherford are also regulars at Adipec.

Following strong demand, this year’s edition will feature the launch of the offshore and marine exhibition area, which will allow  companies to showcase products, services and solutions for the maritime and offshore industry in an actual marine environment.

It will be complemented by a dedicated Offshore and Marine Conference, running across all four days of Adipec 2015, and providing additional opportunities for knowledge exchange.

Adipec will also also extend the exhibition show floor to include an additional hall and an outdoor zone dedicated to heavy machinery, located directly on the marine front of Adnec.

Christopher Hudson, senior vice president, Energy, dmg events, said: “Adipec has now firmly established itself as one of the world’s top three energy events and continues to attract more national and international oil companies and service companies than any other event in the world.

“We are delighted to add the Offshore & Marine Exhibition and Conference to the event, and welcome back features such as the globally renowned Adipec Awards and the Middle East Petroleum Club to make Adipec 2015 more successful than ever.”

Meanwhile, Adipec 2015 is expected to surpass the success of last year’s record event, which drew more than 76,000 visitors, and generated $8.5 billion of on-site business, up from $5 billion in 2013.

It will be providing a largest-scale conference programme, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, with topics and sub-topics covering both technical and non-technical functions in the oil and gas industry.

The Adipec Conference Programme will bring together government ministers, chief executive officers of the world’s oil and gas giants, and industry experts to address the current state and future opportunities for the energy sector.

Nearly half of the conference content in 2014 was generated outside the Middle East, cementing Adipec’s position as a global hub for the energy sector.

Also returning to the event will be the Adipec Awards, which celebrate innovation, best practice, and excellence in energy for people, companies, projects and initiatives in the oil and gas industry across the Middle East and North African region.

The awards are currently open for nominations, and the deadline is July 30. Its winners will be announced on Adipec’s opening night.

The definitive club for senior oil and gas executives, the Middle East Petroleum Club (MEPC) provides a secure and private environment for key decision-makers to engage with peers, contacts and colleagues, and forge new connections. The 2015 MEPC VIP programme will allow members to attend a series of interviews, briefings and panel discussions in a purpose-built theatre.

Challenging the perception that the oil and gas industry is a male-dominated environment, the official Adipec Women in Industry series will give attendees the opportunity of meeting with peers and discussing the future role of women in the energy arena, with an industry topical panel discussion.

Now entering its third year, Young Adipec, the successful programme designed to engage the younger generation in the oil and gas industry, is expanding its reach with the creation of a Young Ambassador for each school that takes part in the programme.

The programme will also feature interactive engagement sessions to help students learn more about the energy sector and develop key skills. - TradeArabia News Service