Focus on growth in downstream market

Muscat: While the government continues to focus its efforts on reducing its long-standing dependence on oil, the apparent recovery of oil prices of late is seen to play a crucial role in financing these efforts, placing the sector in a position poised for growth.
This and the government’s recent moves to streamline corporate structures through major mergers such as Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic), are the base of the conference at the upcoming Oman Downstream Exhibition and Conference (ODEC)from 15-17 April, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The third edition of the Sultanate’s only event for the downstream market is once again organised by pioneer trade exhibitions and conference organiser Omanexpo and global events company World Refining Association (WRA), part of Clarion Events.
Now a landmark industry event, ODEC has proven to be a timely and beneficial platform, bringing in a well-selected speaking faculty of highly acclaimed experts such as Erwin Mortelmans, commercial director, Port of Duqm; Francois Good, SVP-Refining & Petrochemicals Orient Middle East, Asia and Africa, Total; and Odette Eng, VP-Hydrocarbon Global Refining, Worley Parsons, among others. Key themes will include in-country value, digitalisation, petrochemical process integration, collaboration, and insights into investing in Oman’s downstream industry.
The conference will be highlighted by a keynote ministerial address by Salim Al Aufi, undersecretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas Oman, and keynote presentations by Ahmed Al Jahdhami, CEO, Downstream, Orpic; and Dr Salim al Huthaili, CEO, Duqm Refinery.
The consultancy-led workshops will provide valuable insights on the outlook of the refining and petrochemicals sector; value maximisation through integration, collaboration and diversification; and developing Oman talent in the plastic downstream sector.
“ODEC 2019 is taking place at an apt time given the integration between Oman Oil and Orpic. The opportunities at local and international level are showing exciting times ahead for the Sultanate,” Sandil Sanmugam, conference producer, WRA, comments.
Fortifying the credibility of the event is a solid exhibitor roster of top oil and gas companies that include Duqm Refinery, Oman Oil Company, Orpic, SVC-Lavalin, BASF, Contract Resources, BD Energy Systems, and many more, who will showcase the latest and the best of their products, services and technology to over 2,000 qualified trade visitors.
Satyam Chopra, exhibition director, ODEC, says “We want to ensure that the event will be a source of new opportunities for local and international companies and will provide the maximum benefit for all our stakeholders. With the raft of investments in the government and private sector pipeline, continuing opportunities are assured for these companies.”
The oil and gas downstream segment is currently getting substantial investments with the spate of billion-dollar infrastructure projects such as the Muscat-Sohar Pipeline Project, Duqm Refinery Project, Liwa Plastics Industries Complex and the planned integrated refinery complex with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
ODEC is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil and Gas and backed by a sponsor lineup that includes Duqm Refinery, Oman Oil Company and Orpic as co-hosts, Air Products, Oman Oil Marketing Company, KBC, Grace, BD Energy Systems, BASF, Contract Resources, Daily Thermetrics and Petrofac.