ISLAMABAD: The two-day 29th Annual Technical Conference (ATC) and Exhibition, jointly organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Pakistan Section and the Pakistan Association of Petroleum Geoscientists (PAPG), concluded in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The event’s closing ceremony was honored by the presence of Momin Agha, the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), who served as the Chief Guest. Agha addressed the audience and shared the government’s ambitious plans to attract new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with a special focus on offshore exploration in the Arabian Sea. This strategic move is seen as a potential game-changer for Pakistan’s Exploration and Production (E&P) sector. During the ceremony, Agha presented accolades to the main organizers of the conference.
This year’s conference theme, “Exploring the Unexplored: High-Risk Plays and Economic Challenges,” set the stage for in-depth discussions and presentations. The event was inaugurated by Muhammad Ali, the Federal Minister for Energy, on November 7, 2023. Over the course of the ATC, 36 professional papers were presented, covering a wide array of technologies and case studies related to the oil and gas exploration field. A noteworthy keynote address was delivered by Mohamed Al Marzouqi, Executive Vice President of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Regional Director for SPE Middle East & North Africa.
During the conference, an enlightening session focused on the vital theme of “Diversity & Inclusion in Oilfield.” Furthermore, a panel discussion, skillfully moderated by Zaurayze Tarique, Managing Director of SLB Pakistan & Yemen, revolved around the central theme of the conference.
OGDCL participated in the Exhibition & Oil Show at the Annual Technical Conference (ATC) in Islamabad. The event, themed "Exploring the Unexplored: High-Risk Plays and Economic Challenges," brings together key stakeholders from the Exploration and Production sector. #OGDCL #ATC pic.twitter.com/zCR3FuFhC2
— Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) (@ogdclofficial) November 7, 2023
Participants of Annual Technical Conference
The distinguished panelists, including Muhammad Aamir Salim from OGDCL, Faheem Haider from MPCL, Mausuf Ahmed from United Energy Pakistan, Muhammad Asim Subhani from Prime Pakistan Limited, and Hilal Al Busaidi from SLB, reached a consensus that Pakistan’s potential for indigenous oil and gas resources is yet to be fully harnessed, despite the significant progress achieved so far. They expressed optimism that with the right approach and government support, focused efforts can reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy.
Farrukh Saghir, representing the Pakistan Association of Petroleum Geoscientists, in his address, reflected on the productive two days of the conference. He extended his gratitude to the delegates, sponsors, authors, exhibitors, and all participants for their valuable contributions in making the 29th ATC an unforgettable event.
Saghir emphasized the relevance of the conference theme, shedding light on the “High-Risk Plays” and the associated challenges. The event successfully highlighted the complexities of exploration in frontier areas and offered insights into potential approaches to address these challenges.
The Annual Technical Conference serves as the flagship event for Pakistan’s Upstream Oil & Gas Industry, attracting a diverse range of experts, both domestic and international. It provides a platform for the industry to showcase technology and share successful experiences in technology deployment. The application of new technology is seen as a key driver for enhancing and increasing oil and gas production from Pakistan’s abundant indigenous resources.
