MPGC 2025 Highlights Bahrain’s Ambitious Energy Vision and Regional Role in Global Energy Landscape

Bahrain

The 32nd Annual Middle East Petroleum & Gas Conference (MPGC 2025), hosted by S&P Global Commodity Insights in partnership with Bapco Energies, concluded with strategic insights into the region’s evolving energy role.

Held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs for the Kingdom of Bahrain, the event gathered top energy leaders to address the future of global energy.

• Navigating an Era of Energy Addition- Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies, opened the conference by emphasizing the need for pragmatic, long-term planning amid “unprecedented uncertainty.” He noted, “We’re not witnessing a transition away from hydrocarbons — we’re living through an era of energy addition.”
• Strategic Projects Drive National Energy- Thomas spotlighted Bahrain’s landmark exploration agreement with EOG Resources targeting unconventional gas in the Pre-Khuff formation, alongside the kingdom’s largest offshore 3D seismic survey. He also highlighted the near-completion of the $7- billion Bapco Modernization Program aimed at boosting refining capacity and environmental performance. Looking ahead, Bapco Energies is exploring solar, offshore wind, and small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of its 2030s diversification strategy.
• Infrastructure, Efficiency & Regional Collaboration- Alexander Van Veldhoven, Group Chief Strategy Officer at Bapco Energies, addressed challenges related to infrastructure and energy efficiency. He cited land availability and comparative energy pricing as key hurdles, suggesting that regional cooperation— such as land sourcing in Saudi Arabia—could unlock future interconnection projects. Van Veldhoven also emphasized the importance of affordable hydrogen transport and supporting infrastructure in enabling a viable hydrogen economy.
• Toward a Balanced and Sustainable Energy Future- MPGC 2025 reinforced the Middle East’s pivotal role in achieving global energy resilience by balancing traditional energy exports with accelerating sustainability goals. Dialogue at the conference focused on regional integration, investment in advanced technology, and the importance of adaptive policy frameworks to navigate the sector’s next decade.

The conference served as a vital platform for high-impact dialogue, challenging conventional thinking and encouraging innovative approaches to energy transition and security in the region.