This fourth edition of The Oil & Gas Year series in Oman examines the government’s promotion of innovative oil and gas extraction techniques in 2014 and beyond, and highlights the nation’s drive to enhance the professional development of Omani nationals in all sectors of the economy.

The book also offers an in-depth look at the country’s success in the field of enhanced oil recovery, steps taken to monitor and improve the in-country value performance of companies in Oman and the development of the Khazzan field. The amended production-sharing agreement between the government and BP was named Upstream Deal of the Year. Petroleum Development Oman’s Rabab Harweel Integrated Project, which is expected to yield in excess of 5 mcm (177mcf) of natural gas per day in 2019, was heralded as Investment Decision of the Year.

TOGY’s country director presented the Joint Venture of the Year award to Special Technical Services and Tebodin & Partners while Masirah Oil was presented with the Offshore Discovery of the Year award for discovering hydrocarbons in its second offshore exploration well in Block 50 in February 2014.

The Oil & Gas Year Oman 2014, published by Wildcat International and produced in partnership with the Ministry of Oil and Gas and OPAL, also featured a chapter on the Strategic Roundtable held on May 8, 2014. The sector focus debate highlighted the government’s task to pioneer the use of innovative oil and gas extraction techniques, ensure the development of Omani nationals and encourage technology transfers.

According to Mohamed Abdel Aziz Metwally, chairman and CEO of refinery operator MIDOR, Egypt’s downstream sector would benefit from “the modernization of existing refineries and the construction of new ones.” He also urged the country to think big saying that “Egypt must think of itself as a global hub.”

Cabron Holdings chairman and CEO Basil El Baz echoed Metwally’s sentiment, and stated that Egypt had to concentrate on manufacturing rather than assembling. “Producing feedstock for petroleum plants and refineries within the country is essential, El Baz said.

Co-moderator and executive chairman of energy distribution company TAQA Arabia Khaled Abubakr pointed to the role the Suez Canal Expansion could play. “The new Suez Canal project will help in making Egypt a global hub for petrochemicals.

For that to happen, Wafik Hanna, partner at Deloitte, said that free zones would have to be created to attract investors. The “revision of existing regulation” would be needed in that regard as well.

The Commercial International Banks Heba Abdel Latif presented an equally long-term vision. “We need to look beyond the short/medium term and liberalise the oil and gas industry to go forward.”

TOGY’s Egypt 2015 strategic roundtable event was sponsored by Deloitte and Carbon Holdings.

The Minister of Energy, H.E. Suhail bin Mohamed Faraj Fares Al Mazrouei, delivered the keynote address at the launch event, which was succeeded by the year’s awards ceremony and a roundtable discussion. Commenting on the progress made in Abu Dhabi’s energy industry over the past year, he said, “Abu Dhabi continues to fulfil it’s responsibility as a reliable supplier to the world and an active member of OPEC, targeting the stability of the global energy market. In a time of unstable oil prices, we are showing in Abu Dhabi and across the country that, we remain dedicated to reaching our long-term production goals, which will be used in the future to meet the market requirements. ” Expressing his support for The Oil & Gas Year Abu Dhabi 2015, he added: “I wish to express my congratulations to The Oil & Gas Year on another successful publication. The report highlights the progress made in Abu Dhabi’s hydrocarbons industry.”

At the awards ceremony, H.E. Al Mazrouei presented the Man of the Year award to H.E. Sultan Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar and CEO of energy at Mubadala. The award recognised H.E. Al Jaber’s crucial role in developing Abu Dhabi’s sustainable energy initiatives and a continuous progression in his vision to embrace a cleaner energy mix through investment in renewable resource development and clean technologies at Masdar City.

In his award acceptance speech at the event, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Energy at Mubadala, explained how the UAE is alleviating its natural gas dependency by enhancing the diversity of energy supply and increasing energy security. “The UAE leadership’s foresight has been fundamental in ensuring our growing economy is powered by a mix of energy sources,” said H.E Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, “Our investments across traditional and new forms of energy, has expanded our role as a responsible and reliable global energy leader. Ensuring our leadership role will require us to continue expanding our expertise, to invest in new technologies, to innovate and to transfer our knowledge to the next generation of energy leaders.”

Schlumberger was presented with the Technology and Innovation of the Year award for its new GeoSphere reservoir mapping-while drilling service. The Petroleum Institute received the Local Content Development of the Year award. The Oilfield Services Company of the Year award recognised Abu Dhabi’s National Drilling Company, while Linde Engineering picked up the EPC Company of the Year award. A new award, the Strategy and Execution Project of the Year, was given jointly to the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, the Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company and Abu Dhabi Gas Industries.

After the launch, H.E. Al Mazrouei chaired a roundtable discussion that brought together executives of several of the largest companies operating in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry to review local and international co-operation in increasing the UAE’s supply of natural gas.

The Oil & Gas Year Abu Dhabi 2015 provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced by the emirate to supply enough energy to meet the needs of the UAE’s growing population and soaring energy demand. In The Oil & Gas Year Abu Dhabi 2015, ADNOC Director General H.E. Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi offered an insight into the national oil company’s evolving operational partnerships, particularly those with Asian entities. “ADNOC has been looking to develop new fields with good hydrocarbons prospects through new joint venture partnerships approved by the Supreme Petroleum Council,” H.E. Al Suwaidi said. “Rapidly growing Asian economies are large consumers of hydrocarbons and Abu Dhabi has built relations with several Asian countries through the oil and gas industry,” he added.

The event was sponsored by AlMansoori Specialized Engineering, Maersk Oil, PwC, Schlumberger and United Safety. The roundtable was sponsored by BP and Tenaris.