ME-TECH Virtual
the must attend downstream industry event for 2021
Industry collaboration and discussion more important than ever
Pic. 1 - ME-TECH 2020
2020 has taught us many lessons including the importance of collaboration and communication across all global industries and organisations. Following a very turbulent year, ME-TECH 2021 – the 11th Middle East Technology Forum for Refining & Petrochemicals will take place virtually from 15-18 February – covering the most important up-to-date topics and trends for the Downstream industry, making the 2021 edition a crucial not-to-be-missed event.
Euro Petroleum Consultants held the inaugural ME-TECH advisory committee meeting virtually on 14th December welcoming senior representatives from Bapco, Saudi Aramco, KNPC, Total, Axens, Honeywell UOP, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, IHS Market, Energy Intelligence and many more key players to discuss the impact of 2020 on projects, investments, operations and future outlook.
The first, and possibly the most important, question asked and discussed were: Has crude oil demand peaked? The question opened up an insightful and passionate discussion setting the scene for the meeting to exchange on future projections and investments, the evolution of transportation fuels, impact on petrochemicals growth and what will the energy transition really mean for the future of downstream.
As a direct result, ME-TECH 2021’s programme will reflect the evolution of our industry – looking at how refining and petrochemicals technologies and innovations can provide solutions to help owners and operators in the current business climate along with future investments and developments. Even more so now, optimisation and energy efficiency are at the forefront of all refineries and petrochemical plants and are key parameters for generating margins and ensuring competitiveness.
The meeting heard that project implementation this year was extremely challenging with force majeure clauses used to deal with time and on-site support constraints resulting in schedules being heavily impacted. Technology and solutions providers have also experienced a different year than expected. Instead of focusing on new sales and business, a lot of focus has been on supporting remotely, existing assets and providing solutions to improve efficiency and ultimately, reduce costs. As business strategies across the supply chain changed focus, R&D departments were busy to meet demands for new technologies and solutions in a different landscape. Supported by consultants with their advice, expertise and reports, the industry worked together through 2020.
Stefan Chapman from Euro Petroleum Consultants, organisers of the annual ME-TECH Forum, says “Sharing knowledge, shaping business has continued to be our company’s vision from our establishment 25 years ago. ME-TECH in February 2020 was one of the last oil & gas in-person physical conferences to take place before the repercussions of the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, changing the way we work, do business and live our everyday lives. ME-TECH is a not-to-be missed event that will provide a summary of 2020 events and both short and long-term outlooks. We will hear from the IOC’s and NOC’s, licensors, consultants and service and equipment providers”.
At ME-TECH 2020, a topic discussed and strongly debated was single-use plastics. By April, single-use plastics in the form of PPE were the most sought-after product due to their hygiene and protection offered for COVID-19. The term ‘Circular Economy’ was a relatively new term for many in February but by the end of 2020, it is now a business strategy being implemented not only for plastics but in the entire downstream value chain from the recycling of metals to the manufacturing of energy storage units. ME-TECH 2021 will hear from the operators and technology providers about these new developments, many of which were in play before COVID-19 but are now leading strategy.
ME-TECH has continued to be the essential meeting place for the downstream industry in the Middle East and thankfully, this will not change in 2021 due to the advances in technology over the last few years enabling virtual events. By going Virtual, the organisers believe the event will be easily accessible for a larger audience across the globe as well as offering complimentary passes for all operators to join the four-day event.
ME-TECH will begin on 15 February with two seminars from leading downstream organisations; Embracing the Challenges of Today to Thrive Tomorrow hosted by Wood and Integration, Sustainability and Lifecycle Solutions for a Competitive and Sustainable Future hosted by Honeywell UOP.
The event will continue from 16-18 February with keynotes, market outlook, technical and solution provider presentations as well as interactive panel discussions on the key trending industry topics. ME-TECH Virtual will take place on a tailor-made platform built to increase and provide more networking opportunities through unlimited direct messaging, 1-2-1 video calls and group break-out meetings.
Pic. 2 - EPC's Virtual Events Platform
For more information about ME-TECH, please visit metech.europetro.com or contact the organisers at event@europetro-me.com
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