Key technology trends affecting the refining and petrochemical industry will be highlighted at the 10th edition of the Middle East Technology Forum (ME-Tech) to be held later this month in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The forum, organised by Euro Petroleum Consultants, will take place from February 18 to 20, at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.
The event will cover topics of how technology breakthroughs are shaping the future of the refining and petrochemicals industry, including oil to chemicals technology, options for maximising conversion and meet evolving demand, and latest developments in advanced olefins and polyolefins technologies among others, said a statement from the organisers.
The event also will highlight the role of technology in improving efficiency and productivity, and how technological breakthroughs can change the trajectory of oil prices, especially if unconventional oil producers, and high-cost producers in general, manage to slash production costs with cutting edge technology, potentially again leading to an oversupplied market.
A key topic that will dominate discussions at the 10th edition of ME-Tech is the Oil and Gas 4.0 theme as this era, known as the Fourth Industrial Age, is creating a paradigm shift in global growth and driving demand for petrochemical and refining products.
Colin Chapman, president of Euro Petroleum Consultants, said: “The push toward incorporating digital tools to improve efficiencies, lower costs and expand production has triggered the Oil and Gas 4.0 era.”
“The evolution is linked to the broader Industry 4.0, driven largely by technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, namely artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things,” he said.
Another trending technology in the region is oil to chemical technology. ME-Tech 2020 will once again cover this topic with an impressive line-up of experts and thought leaders.
The decade-long technology forum has kept pace with rapid changes affecting the industry, and ensured continuous coverage of these changes through dedicated topics that allow delegates to learn about key technologies that can help them navigate through the changing and evolving downstream landscape efficiently.
For example, regional refining capacities have increased by more than 20 per cent, exceeding 9,700 kpbd in 2018. This has required a massive investment in digital transformation; a topic that has been covered in previous editions of ME-Tech. “Digital innovation is delivering unparalleled levels of progress and prosperity across the world as we enter a new age of opportunity and growth,” noted Chapman. – TradeArabia News Service