16–18 May 2023
Dubai, UAE
13th Middle East Technology Forum for Refining & Petrochemicals
Register NowWelcome to ME-TECH
ME-TECH is delighted to announce its 13th edition – in May 2023 the Premier Technical Downstream event in the Middle East will once again connect the refining & petrochemical community to address, exchange and identify solutions to the pressing questions and challenges being faced by the Global and Regional downstream sector.
The ME-TECH 2023 programme will be tailored by our expert downstream consultants and our esteemed Advisory Committee to address the key industry challenges and to present the latest technologies, case studies and best practices to help the region’s refiners & petrochemical producers as they adapt to new market and industry conditions.

What to Expect at ME-TECH 2023
2 Seminars
14+ Hours of Content
10 Hours Of
Networking
300+ Registered Delegates
150+ Pre-arranged
in-person meetings
40+ Speakers &
Panellists
Key Discussion Topics
We are calling for abstracts in the following topic areas:
Refinery Projects, Modernisations and Developments
- Evaluating risk hot points & implementation of best practices
- Increasing legislation transparency for attracting investors
- Approaches for securing conventional projects financing during markets volatility
Business Strategies for Downstream Competitiveness
- How to take advantage of the current downstream market conditions
- Strategies for maintaining high margins and meeting quarter milestones
- Feedstock flexibility and availability, benchmarking and supply chain management
Energy Efficiency & Emissions Reduction
- Latest trends and improvements in fired heaters
- Minimising effects from corrosion and fouling
- Energy conservation, waste heat recovery and co-generation
Downstream Evolution and Sustainability
- Circularity
- Depolymerisation and processing of secondary feedstock
- Catalyst Handling, Regeneration and Recycling
- Re-refining of spent motor oils
- Carbon Capture and SNOx treatment
- Production and utilisation of Blue Hydrogen
- Options for bio-refining – delusion or reality in Middle East
Versatility of Conventional Downstream
- State-of-the-art refining technologies
- Debottlenecking and optimisation of existing units
- Revamp options for crude distillation units
Production Integration with Petrochemical Blocks
- Achieving higher yields of light-ends – Naphta & LPG
- PDH, Ethane to Ethylene and C4’s value chain
- Mega trends – Crude Oil to Chemicals (COTC)
Standard and Advanced Transportation Fuels
- Gasoline and light cuts – minimizing Octane loss and aromatic content
- Middle distillates – production of higher Cetane Diesel
- Aviation Fuels – Focus on JET
Digitalisation Solutions
- Monitoring, controlling and reporting systems
- Bridges between legacy SCADA, modern DCS and Industry 4.0
- Digital twins and real-time data evaluation
Join our Esteemed Speaker Panel
Speaking slots are available for companies who provide technologies and services in the above areas
Submit Your Abstract
SPECIAL FEATURE: Pre-Conference Seminars
Tuesday, 16th May 2023
Latest Insights
Exclusive first-hand insights, reports and interviews at the pulse of the global oil and gas downstream industry
BLOG ARTICLE
January 2023
Middle East Downstream: Taking The Most Adapted Route(s)

Downstream is transitioning, but it’s not abandoning hydrocarbons, at least, not in the short term. What does this mean for the Middle ...
Read ArticlePRESS RELEASE
June 2022
COLLABORATION: The True Catalyst For Net-Zero…

Event Review: ME-TECH 2022, Dubai
Published by Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East (RPME)
Middle East Downstream: Taking The Most Adapted Route(s)
Does the Middle East downstream industry need to stay focused on only processing conventional hydrocarbons? Or does it need to evolve, like other regions, to stay relevant? This is one of the key issues facing the downstream sector in the region: choosing the best route to ensure continued growth and security.
How can we reconcile both routes so that the industry remains competitive and resilient?

The Middle East stands today, as a major hydrocarbon resources producer. The industry has been monetizing these resources, commercializing them and putting them into the market to meet demand.
The reality today, is that these regulatory changes and frameworks, especially in the developed world (and especially in places like Europe or specific states in the United States or maybe Japan and South Korea) are moving towards a position whereby the use of these liquid fuels, at least in their pure fossil-based hydrocarbon form, is being phased out.
How can we reconcile both routes so that the industry remains competitive and resilient? Does it make sense to start introducing bio-based feedstocks into the refining systems in the Middle East?
There is a famous quote from Admiral McRaven that says if you want to change the world then start by making your bed in the morning. This can be applied to the downstream sector in the Middle East where small incremental steps can make a big difference down the line.
If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. -Admiral McRaven
In order to be competitive, the first step should be achieving the first quartile of energy intensity index. Many refineries in the region are new and, therefore, have been designed in order to stay in the first quartile but there remain some that are not in that position. And when you add to this problematic the new environmental regulations then achieving first quartile of energy intensity index becomes increasingly more difficult.
Digitalization is definitely a tool that can be used to improve existing assets by reaching those low hanging fruit and helping asset owners. When implemented correctly, digitalization can really help asset owners in maximizing profits, through optimized operation and efficiency. Traditionally, conventional refining is seen as a game of small margins and this is where digitalization tools add value – with relatively small upfront investment, clients actually reap the benefits in months rather than years.
The tools are available. It is now a question of applying them correctly and efficiently and, looking at what can be done to existing assets to reduce the carbon footprint, reduce emissions and be more energy efficient.
There is a lot of talk about bio-fuels and bio-refineries, but what are the real merits of going down this route? In Europe, certain refineries have been transformed into bio-refineries. But what constitutes a bio-refinery? In a number of cases this means that a few units are modified to be able to process some bio material feedstock which in most cases is then blended into the diesel product. The supply chain, feedstock availability, process, and product distribution is far from straight forward and is not viewed as a potential solution for the Middle East.
From a financing standpoint, the issue we are seeing is that as many financial institutions are global companies - they want the projects in which they invest to be compliant with international principles and standards. For this reason, the Middle East has to look at the traditional processes and find different solutions to reduce CO2, to reduce emissions, and to have a lower environmental impact as an industry.
Many ME downstream producers are working on enabling and implementing circularity programs into their operations. For instance, we are seeing a number of initiatives with regard to products - looking to improve the life cycle assessment including increased waste recycling and incorporating chemical recycling processes, etc.
The renewable polymers market is growing and these polymers are based on bio-based feedstock. So clearly we see that there is activity and this trend is likely to continue.

The Advisors: Mathew George, Indian Oil Corporation - Gaetano De Santis, Bapco - Olli Nissinen, Borealis - Gil Morieras, Borouge - Khalid Al Asmi, OQ - Dimitrios Orfanidis, Saudi Aramco - Julien Mathonnière, Energy Intelligence - Samir Al-Jishi, Sipchem - David Marion, Total Energies - Suhail Akram, Thyssenkrupp - Uwe Zwiefelhofer, Linde Engineering Middle East - Moosa AL Moosa-Moosa, Dow Saudi Arabia
This article is part of the ME-TECH Advisory Committee Report. If you have enjoyed the piece and wish to read more, downlad the full report here.
Event Review: ME-TECH 2022, Dubai
Published by Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East (RPME) - June 2022
Starved of the in-person conference platform for over two years, the Refining and Petrochemical industry was expectant, and once again, ME-TECH 2022 (Middle East Technology Forum for Refining & Petrochemicals), the region’s premier technical event for the downstream industry, delivered.
‘It demonstrated to me that there simply is no replacement for face-to-face interaction’, said Stefan Chapman, Vice President, Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC).
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Figure 1 - Stefan Chapman (EPC) opening remarks at ME-TECH 2022
Reduced demand, excess capacity and the decarbonisation mandate are forcing the Downstream industry to embrace a new journey of reinvention, so ME-TECH 2022, drawing from an established tradition of tackling the most demanding challenges and the most promising opportunities head-on, discussed and debated the Energy Transition, Refining-Petrochemical Integration, Asset Configuration and Conversion Technologies, Production Flexibility, Diversification, Reliability & Efficiency, Petrochemical Production & Chemical Recycling, Feedstock Availability and Supply Chain Management, Low Carbon and Emission Reduction Technologies, IMO Regulations, Catalyst Technologies, incorporating Renewables, Biofuels and maximising co-processing Strategies, Projects Financing post-COVID and Digital Tools & Technology Shaping Smart Refining & Petrochemicals Production.
‘It demonstrated to me that there simply is no replacement for face-to-face interaction’, said Stefan Chapman, Vice President, Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC).
Reduced demand, excess capacity and the decarbonisation mandate are forcing the Downstream industry to embrace a new journey of reinvention, so ME-TECH 2022, drawing from an established tradition of tackling the most demanding challenges and the most promising opportunities head-on, discussed and debated the Energy Transition, Refining-Petrochemical Integration, Asset Configuration and Conversion Technologies, Production Flexibility, Diversification, Reliability & Efficiency, Petrochemical Production & Chemical Recycling, Feedstock Availability and Supply Chain Management, Low Carbon and Emission Reduction Technologies, IMO Regulations, Catalyst Technologies, incorporating Renewables, Biofuels and maximising co-processing Strategies, Projects Financing post-COVID and Digital Tools & Technology Shaping Smart Refining & Petrochemicals Production.
Colin Chapman, President, Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC) said:
-and-gurminder-singh-(shell-catalysts-and-technologies.jpg)
Figure 2 - left, Colin Chapman (EPC), right, Gurminder Singh (Shell Catalysts & Technologies) during the networking break
‘The conference covered a large scope of topics focusing on the future trends and challenges for our industry, especially the need for decarbonisation which requires genuine collaboration and a willingness to share knowledge and ideas, across the entire value chain, if we are to meet the ambitious net-zero goals set by regional governments’.
Figure 2 - left, Colin Chapman (EPC), right, Gurminder Singh (Shell Catalysts & Technologies) during the networking break
Following the tried and tested format that has served the downstream industry so well for the past 12 years, ME-TECH 2022 opened proceedings with two highly engaging and insightful pre-conference seminars. The first, hosted by Wood, focused on ‘Unlocking the Sustainable Growth Potential of the Middle East: A Catalyst for a Low-carbon Future’, while the second, hosted by Honeywell UOP, focused on ‘Integration, Optimization and Lifecycle Solutions for a Competitive, Profitable and Sustainable Future’.

Figure 3 - Afternoon Seminar hosted by Honeywell UOP
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Figure 4 - Hernando Salgado (BASF) presenting on FCC/RFCC units as key enablers in maximising conversion of crude oil to chemicals
The two day conference then sought to address the greatest challenges and opportunities faced by the downstream industry with compelling contributions from an esteemed and influential group of Thought Leaders and Domain Experts, notably; Richard Charlesworth (IHS Markit), Damon Hill (Wood), David Marion (TotalEnergies), Laura Leonard (Honeywell UOP), Franky Smisaert (TotalEnergies), Uthman A. Al-Zahrani (SABIC), Praveen Dadhwal (Albemarle), Chuck Ekeocha (W. R. Grace & Co), Hernando Salgado (BASF), Florian Knaus (ILF Consulting Engineers), Pedro Santos (Chevron Lummus Global), Gurminder Singh (Shell Catalysts & Technologies), Sophie Babusiaux (Axens), Jay Jeong (Alfa Laval), Sanjay Lodha (Tubacex Group), Dalal Ali Abdulwahab Alqallaf and Abdulrahman Al-Sumaie (KNPC), Jean-Paul Sacy (Lummus Digital), Mahmood Alawi (Lummus Technology), Sridhar Srinivasan (Becht), Sachin Joshi (Sulzer Chemtech), Manish Chandra Saraswat (LyondellBasell), Enrico Lorenz (hte GmbH), Islam Heikal (Daily Thermetrics), Guillaume Vincent (Evonik) and Xander de Jong (Q8 Research).
In addition to the impressive Speaker line-up, the conference also benefitted from the expert moderation of Jean-Paul Sacy (Lummus Digital), Jean-Gaël Le Floc’h (Becht), Richard Charlesworth (IHS Markit), Fabien Lundy (Axens) and Scott Kendrick (Crystaphase).
As is so often the case with EPC conferences globally, it was standing room only for the two interactive panel discussions. Daniel Carter (Wood) took the helm of the Producer Panel which explored Strategies for Future Sustainability. The panel, consisting of Abdullah Fahad Al Osaimi (KIPIC), Khalid Al Asmi (OQ), Mohammed Al Hazmi (SABIC), Saeed Al-Hajri (SATORP) and David Marion (TotalEnergies) discussed adapting to the future challenges in the Downstream sector, the role of Refining & Petrochemicals integration and Crude Oil to Chemicals, the market outlook for Transport fuels and the role of alternate fuels, meeting targets for decarbonisation and sustainability and the role of partnerships.
Husain Aldailami, Senior Reliability Engineer, Bapco said:
‘ME-TECH is a great avenue to have an in-depth understanding of what the future holds in terms of having a sustainable approach, sustainable products and a sustainable refinery.’

Figure 5 - Panel discussion about Sustainability, joined by major Producers in the region
Stefan Chapman was on hand to conclude proceedings with the final act of the conference, the Closing Panel, which sought to Look Ahead to 2030 and Beyond. Stefan was joined in this captivating discussion by industry stalwarts, Fabien Lundy (Axens), Keith Couch (Honeywell UOP), Goutam Biswas (Chevron Lummus Global), Gurminder Singh (Shell Catalysts Technologies), Manu Van Leuvenhaege (Sulzer Chemtech) and Daniel Carter (Wood) who explored, what might the 2030 “Smart, Green” producer look like - a look at possible big-ticket technology items, they discussed strategies being put in place by GCC producers to address demands for greater diversification, increased competitiveness and greater decarbonisation, they took a look at the role of Licensors - what we might see in the next 10-15 years, the importance of R&D and the close collaboration with Producers and wrapped up proceedings with a deeper dive into key technology enablers - what technologies can be deployed to diversify operations, improve profitability and decarbonise processes and assets?
'It is crucial that we stay very connected with our customers and provide them the best solutions and tools so they can deploy and overcome current industry challenges and turn them into opportunities,’
Nathan Ergonul, VP Marketing, FCC, W. R. Grace & Co, asked about the role of technology providers and licensors in the next 10 years.

Figure 6 - Members of the closing panel discussion

Figure 7 - Networking at ME-TECH 2022
The ME-TECH 2022 community - speakers, moderators, panellists, delegates, sponsors and exhibitors - rekindled old acquaintances and made new connections, networked and exchanged knowledge and ideas and most importantly, played their own invaluable part in ensuring the Downstream industry continues on the path towards greater efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC) would like to thank its ME-TECH 2022 Sponsors: Albemarle, ART Hydroprocessing, Axens, Alfa Laval, Becht, BASF, Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), Elessent Clean Technologies, Evonik Catalysts, W. R. Grace & Co, Honeywell UOP, hte GmbH, ILF Consulting Engineers, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, Sulzer Chemtech, Tubacex Group, Wood and Exhibitors: Alfa Laval, Avantium Catalysis, Bauer Kompressoren, Crystaphase, Daily Thermetrics, Moxba Metrex, WIKA-Gayesco and ZymeFlow.
Highlights from ME-TECH 2022
2 seminars
14+ Hours
of Content
10 Hours
of networking
opportunities
220+ Delegates
70 Pre-arranged
in-person meetings
40 Speakers &
Panellists
The 12th edition of our prestigious Middle East technology forum took place ‘in-person’ from 10-12 May at the Address Dubai Marina Hotel, Dubai, UAE, gathering over 200 refining and petrochemicals professionals in the Middle East region.
Designed especially for the region’s downstream industry, coupled with an excellent networking platform, the two day conference then sought to address the greatest challenges and opportunities faced by the downstream industry with compelling contributions from an esteemed and influential group of thought leaders and domain experts.