The Premier Technical Downstream Event in the Middle East is returning to Dubai
In Person is Back! A unique opportunity to meet with leading Refining & Petrochemical professionals in the region..
ME-TECH 2022 – the 12th edition of the Middle East Technology Forum for Refining & Petrochemicals is back and returning to Dubai, where it all began in 2011. As Euro Petroleum Consultants’ flagship event in the Middle East, ME-TECH continues to be a renowned downstream technology forum in the region, helping the industry to exchange on the key issues such as the evolving energy backdrop, adapting to new market conditions by maximising production, flexibility and operational potential, and being updated about innovative technological solutions.
The forum will take place at the Address Dubai Marina Hotel on 10-12 May 2022 with an impressive line up of confirmed sponsors and exhibitors including ALBERMARLE, ALFA LAVAL, AXENS, ART HYDROPROCESSING, AVANTIUM CATALYSIS, BASF, BAUER KOMPRESSOREN, BECHT, CHEVRON LUMMUS GLOBAL, CRYSTAPHASE, DAILY THERMETRICS, ELESSENT CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, EVONIK CATALYSTS, GRACE, HONEYWELL UOP, ILF CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MOXBA-METREX, SHELL CATALYSTS & TECHNOLOGIES, SULZER CHEMTECH, TUBACEX, WIKA-GAYESCO, WOOD and ZYMEFLOW.
Audience at ME-TECH 2019
In the lead up to the 2022 edition of ME-TECH, Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC) held the annual Advisory Meeting with senior representatives from major regional producers including BAPCO, ENI, INDIAN OIL, OQ8, PETROBRAS, SABIC, SAUDI ARAMCO, and SATORP - to discuss the evolution of the downstream sector, the key industry trends and exchanging on the opportunities and challenges for the Middle East downstream industry, both in the short and longer-term.
From the interesting discussions a number of important topic discussions have helped shape the agenda for ME-TECH 2022 including the further development of opportunities arising from the region’s competitive advantage; future outlook and options for refining and petrochemicals integration routes; and how to maximise the potential of existing assets.
There was understandably a strong focus on the Covid-pandemic and its repercussions.. We experienced during the peak of pandemic, a significant decline in demand for refined products as transportation ground to a halt – there were very few operating flights and greatly reduced number of cars on the road. Operators had to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing market conditions. On the flipside, the industry experienced a remarkable increase in petrochemicals demand, especially in plastic polymers
To reflect these trends, the forum will discuss the expected global refining and petrochemical trends as the world continues to recover from Covid-19, and what the last 24 months have taught us in terms of the importance of Flexibility, Reliability, and Sustainability.
Exhibition at ME-TECH 2020
The challenges stemming from the COVID crisis have reinforced the path for further integration between petrochemicals and refining assets. 2022 is expected to be a year with relatively ‘poor’ margins for traditional refineries – meaning less integrated refineries are likely to be faced with greater and more intense challenges.
Interactive panel discussions, connecting our speakers with the audience, will be one of the main highlights of ME-TECH 2022 – one of these sessions will be focusing on the importance of INTEGRATION - panellists will discuss how the GCC can find a complementary role for liquid fuels and how they can build their options for the future with the assets they have, and specifically what opportunities integration will bring to the Middle East producers.
FCC technologies present one such route, and Middle East producers will be looking to use this to enhance olefins production and integrate new technologies into their existing operations. The ME-TECH 2022 agenda will reflect this trend by including papers focusing on Steam Crackers, Fluid Catalytic Cracking and RFCC topics – delving deeper into how these technologies can fit into different process configurations to maximize conversion of crude oil to chemicals, and how ethylene, propylene and butylenes can be maximized in these units by using the right combination of catalysts and hardware
In recent years, Crude Oil to Chemicals has been a major focus for the downstream sector. These projects are very capital intensive and certain parameters need to be favourable for projects to see light of day. In today’s context, activity on these mega projects has only been seen in China, where region specifics mean that these projects can be completed within 3 years.
It is not foreseen for projects to be implemented outside of China.
Exhibition at ME-TECH 2020
However, it should be noted that the Middle East can accommodate the growing demand for petrochemicals thanks to its complex refineries. During the Keynote Session at ME-TECH 2022, panellists will discuss how the Middle Eastern region can compete with Asian project timelines and CAPEX.
Today, the downstream industry is faced with many new challenges and opprotunities, with changing markets and a clear drive towards greater sustainability and decarbonisation. There is an increased pressure to provide cleaner energy and all refiners are involved in the transition now, however, refined products will still have a role to play even with the new emerging energy sources such as hydrogen and LNG.
During ME-TECH 2022 we will have the opportunity to hear from Richard Charlesworth, Executive Director - Oil, Midstream, Downstream & Chemicals, IHS MARKIT, on how decarbonisation targets change the refining and petrochemical landscape. We will also have the privilege to have SABIC and TOTALENERGIES share insight on their decarbonisation journey.
The Oil and Gas industry needs to remain flexible, efficient and reliable. Fossil fuels will continue to play an important role in the energy mix for the foreseeable future notably in the production of Synthetic fuels, Hydrogen as well as Bio.
Due to the abundance of solar and wind energy in the Middle East, the region will undoubtedly become a strong player globally in the Hydrogen market. The terms ‘Blue’ and ‘Green Hydrogen’ were relatively new terms for many in 2019 – 2020, but by the end of 2021, hydrogen is positioned in possibly becoming the Middle East’s new black gold.
Interactive Panel Discussion at ME-TECH 2020
It is safe to say that refiners have officially begun the long journey of “reinventing” their business; Whether it is by using Biofuels from waste; CCUS; COTC (through key technology components such as resid hydrocracking, hydrocracking, hydrotreating and steam/thermal cracking) or Hydrogen.
ME TECH 2022 closing panel, will discuss the role of producers, licensors and technology providers in this decarbonisation path to 2030 & beyond.
Lots to look forward to so join us at ME-TECH 2022 where leading refining and petrochemical professionals will discuss and share their valuable knowledge on the very latest industry innovations, market trends, challenges and the continued importance of integration for competitive advantage.
ME-TECH 2022 will also play host on the 10th May to pre-conference seminars hosted by two downstream key players and technology providers: ‘Unlocking the Sustainable Growth Potential of the Middle East: A Catalyst for a Low-carbon Future’ hosted by WOOD; and ‘Integration, Optimization and Lifecycle Solutions for a Competitive, Profitable and Sustainable Future’ hosted by HONEYWELL UOP.
The main forum will be on 11th & 12th of May with keynotes, market overview, technical and solution provider presentations as well as interactive panel discussions on the key trending industry topics - KNPC, KIPIC, OQ, Q8 RESEARCH, SABIC, SATORP, TOTALENERGIES, IHS MARKIT, WOOD, AXENS, CLG, ELESSENT CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, SULZER CHEMTECH, SHELL CATALYSTS & TECHNOLOGIES, GRACE, BASF, LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY, LYONDELLBASELL, BECHT and many more.
For more information about ME-TECH, please visit metech.europetro.com or contact the organisers at events@europetro-me.com
