Downstream Industry Focus: Getting the Balance Right!

The Global Downstream Industry is in an interesting situation – currently faced with a number of challenges and responsibilities but also certain opportunities. Operations need to remain competitive, reliable and profitable – even under volatile market conditions. We are also tasked to deliver energy security and at the same time look to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations – interesting times indeed.

These types of situations call for strong partnerships between all stakeholders, investors, technology suppliers and customers working together to implement sustainable solutions for the downstream sector. Collaboration is key!

At EPC, with our experience as a downstream consulting company, we fully recognize the importance of these collaborations and the need to bring industry professionals together to exchange experiences on these key industry developments. From day one this has been our mission across all our industry-leading events.

Stefan Chapman, Vice President of Euro Petroleum Consultants during ESF North America, June 2022

Based on this, we decided to hold two of our most important regional events (back-to-back) in Bahrain this month (January 2023):

• ESF MENA 2023 - Middle East Energy & Sustainability Forum
  (22–24 January, Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Bahrain) focused on energy transition & decarbonisation.
• BBTC MENA 2023 - Middle East Bottom of the Barrel & Catalyst Technology Conference
  (25–26 January, Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Bahrain) focused on residue upgrading solutions & catalysts.

Building on the success of our ESF events around the globe, the forthcoming second edition of ESF MENA will delve into all key aspects relating to the Decarbonisation of the MENA downstream sector. With the help of interactive panel discussions, technology solutions and trends and industry case studies we will look to cover:

• Decarbonisation pathways & transition strategies
• Building blocks for the low-carbon future
• Decarbonising installed refinery assets
• Transition to a circular economy through waste plastics recycling & conversion technologies
• The latest on green & blue hydrogen technologies & projects
• Technology solutions for carbon capture utilisation & storage

NEOM, one of the most exciting projects in the region, is planning the world’s largest renewable hydrogen project. At this year’s ESF MENA we have the pleasure to welcome Mr. David. R. Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer, NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, for a keynote address on Building the World's Largest Green Hydrogen Plant – a $5 billion world-scale green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy.

Decarbonisation is very much at the forefront of all industry discussions – with each region having its own specifics and implementing various strategies:

• GCC approach to meeting current demand without impacting the needs of future generations
• Importance of Stakeholder engagement to help adopt key enabling technologies & forge strong collaborations
• GCC focus on unlocking the full potential of CCUS - Deployment challenges & opportunities

Our Keynote Technology Panel will look to address these and other points. We are immensely honored to be joined by: Bryan Glover, President & CEO, Honeywell UOP, Leon de Bruyn, President & CEO, Lummus Technology, and Jean Sentenac, President & CEO, Axens.

It is a unique chance for our MENA downstream audience to hear from them on the same panel - they will be providing their expertise, know-how and insight on “The GCC's Path to Net Zero - Decarbonisation Strategies & Enabling Technologies”.

ESF MENA 2023 - Keynote Technology Panel

We will expand our interactive experience at ESF MENA 2023 with a further 3 insightful panels:

• The Sky’s the Limit – Opportunities for Alternative Fuels
• H2 in the GCC: Ready to be the Game Changer
• Circular Economy Strategies: Getting to the next level

ESF attendees will have the chance to hear from industry leaders - sharing their thoughts and experiences – Our distinguished guests include:

• Waleed Al-Shalfan, Vice President, Polymers T&I, SABIC
• Mohammed Al Ruwaidhi, Downstream VP Energy & Aromatic, OQ
• Franky Smisaert, Vice President Manufacturing, TotalEnergies, TotalEnergies
• Suliman Al- Khattaf, Vice President Technology and innovation, Tasnee
• Bashir Dabbousi, Director of Technology Strategy & Planning, Aramco
• Mohamed Al Shehab, VP Corporate Finance & Investor Relations, nogaholding
• Magdy M. Hassan, Principal, Hydrogen Studies, ADNOC
• Amin N. Nasser, Chemicals Business & Technology Strategy Development, Aramco
• Mohammad Abu Zahra, Head of MENA Region, Global CCS Institute
• Richard Charlesworth, Executive Director, S&P Global Commodity Insights
• Vatche Kourkejian, Partner & Head of Energy Practice, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
• Mohamed Al Ghailani, META Regional Lead, Sustainability Policy & Partnerships, Boeing

Technology and technology providers have a key role to play to achieve successful decarbonisation of the downstream sector. Technology licensors have the expertise, skills, R&D and process knowledge to not only support but also help to speed up the transition journey. To gain more insight into the role of technology we are pleased to welcome senior representatives from the following companies:

• Yassir Ghiyati, Managing Director – EMEA region, Topsoe
• Mark Houdek, Director - Sustainability for the Refinery of the Future, Honeywell UOP
• Fadi Mhaini, Managing Director - MENA, Lummus Technology
• Henrik Larsen, Vice President, Technology Solutions, KBR
• Senior representatives from leading solution providers such as KBC, Axens, Shell & AMG Recycling, Becht, Evonik, and Daily Thermetrics.

ESF MENA 2023 will be accompanied by a Pre-Conference Seminar hosted by Honeywell UOP and focusing on "A Path Towards Carbon Neutrality: Innovations for the Refining & Chemicals Industry".

Given all the above, this forum is a “not to be missed” meeting for the MENA Downstream Industry. ESF MENA 2023 will take place on 22-24 January 2023.

BBTC MENA 2023 will follow the ESF event immediately and start on the 25th January.

The 9th edition of BBTC MENA will address the challenges (both current and future) and update MENA region Refiners, on the latest technology solutions to maintain high levels of productivity, competitiveness, resilience, and profitability through upgrading heavier lower value components.

VIPS and Delegates during BBTC MENA

The reality today is that the world remains very much reliant on petroleum products and its derivatives – and this will be the case for the foreseeable future. Petroleum products should be seen as part of the solution and also as an important component of the future energy mix.
From a downstream processing perspective upgrading the bottom of the barrel remains a pressing challenge. There is a real need for refiners to continue upgrading heavier, lower-value components and increasing conversion to curb low-value fuel oil production. With the shift toward petrochemicals and chemicals, there are also new opportunities and new diverse revenue streams.

During this specialised 2-day event we will look to address a number of topics and questions:

• What role for residue upgrading given the changing refining landscape?
• Investing in capital-intensive BoB projects given the acceleration of the energy transition?
• Looking at Profitable Conversion routes: Petrochemical Blocks, Specialty products, etc.
• Catalysts: innovations, management & circularity
• Existing Assets: Revamps, Upgrades & operational improvements

Improvements in Process technologies and innovations in catalyst performance will help to diversify, increase profitability, maximise production, increase integration & develop new revenue streams.
Making the right selection in terms of technology, catalyst management, waste management, and different recovery & regeneration techniques is key when deciding on the best operational strategy for the coming years.

BBTC MENA attendees will have the opportunity to hear from major regional Producers: ADNOC Refining, Bapco, Aramco, KIPIC, PARCO and SATORP; as well as from leading consultants and solution providers: NexantECA, Albemarle, ART Hydroprocessing, ART-Envi, Axens, Becht, Bechtel, CalGavin, Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), Crystaphase, Daily Thermetrics, Hoover CS, KBR, Shell Catalysts & Technologies and Topsoe.

BBTC MENA Agenda at-a-glance:

• Industry Outlook, Trends & Key Projects
• Hydroprocessing of Heavy Oils and Residual Streams
• Thermal Processing: The continuous advancements of mature DCU technology
• Catalysts: Technologies, project execution, production, management & recycling
• Approaches for improved operations: reliability, flexibility & performance

AXENS exhibiting during BBTC MENA

The BBTC MENA agenda will provide insightful presentations and thought-provoking panel discussions with regional producers and leading technology, catalyst and service providers on such topics as “Bottom of The Barrel – Future Challenges for Producers and Licensors” and “Bottom of the Barrel & Sustainability”

There will also be a number of networking opportunities including pre-arranged 1-2-1 meetings – all making the event a unique meeting place for the downstream BoB specialists aiming to contribute to the long-term success of the Refining Industry.

BBTC MENA 2023 – Middle East Bottom of the Barrel & Catalyst Technology Conference takes place on 25–26 January in Bahrain, directly after the ESF MENA conference held on 22–24 January at the same venue.

For more information about the events, visit:

europetro.com/esfmena
europetro.com/bbtcmena

Or simply email us at events@europetro-me.com