The Global Oil and Gas Industry Now and in the Future

In the past 18 months, global oil and gas prices have crashed and now stand at around a quarter of where they were in mid 2014. This has led to investment in projects being postponed or cancelled, huge staff layoffs and increasing fiscal pressure on oil-producing nations. It has also placed a question mark over the development of unconventional oil and gas reserves, once hailed as the saviour of the industry.

Algeria, the leading natural gas producer in Africa, has not been isolated from this global crisis, with new production and infrastructure projects facing delays, while production from mature fields has declined. At one time Algeria was the second largest natural gas supplier to Europe behind Russia, but is now only using half of its gas pipeline capacity to Europe as it turns its attention to neighbours in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Algeria is also estimated to hold the third-largest technically-recoverable shale gas reserves in the world, after China and Argentina – but can these be developed commercially in the current low oil price environment? The North African Petroleum Exhibition and Conferences will discuss this and many more topics vital to the future of the oil and gas industry

At this year’s NAPEC, attendees will be able to hear from respected industry figures at strategic sessions focusing on – amongst other topics – the future direction of the world oil market, Algeria as an energy partner for the rest of Africa, and prospects for unconventional oil and gas in the current low oil price environment.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Bousenna Sadek, Former Algerian Minister of Energy, Former President of OPEC, Professor, Grenoble University
• Dr Djamel Bekkouche, Consultant, Oil and gas exploration and development - Algeria and North Africa
• Francis Perrin, Chairman, Stratégies et Politiques Energétiques (SPE), and Editor of Arab Oil & Gas and of the OAG Africa Newsletter
• Colin Chapman, Founder and President, Euro Petroleum Consultants Ltd
• Abdelmadjid Attar, Vice President, Algerian Gas Industry Association and CEO, PETROCHEM 2000
• Mourad Preure, President, EMERGY agency
• Professor Chems Chitour, National Polytechnic University, Algiers

The 6th edition of NAPEC, to be held at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in Algiers from 8 to 11 March 2016, is expected to draw 25,000 visitors from over 30 countries. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from senior speakers on the current challenges and opportunities facing both operators and suppliers in North Africa, visit an exhibition showcasing the latest products, services and technologies, and enjoy many opportunities to develop new professional relationships, and strengthen existing ones.