Official Publication
SHOW DAILY DAY TWO
Tuesday 13 February
EGYPS OPENING CEREMONY WELCOME TO EGYPT’S GREAT MOMENTUM OF SUCCESS In line with Egypt’s commitment to modernise the oil and gas sector and become a strategic energy hub, Cairo launched the second edition of the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS 2018) under the High Patronage of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and support of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. EGYPS’ Official Opening Ceremony, held on Monday 12 February at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre’s Al Manara Hall, highlighted the country’s keenness to promote a revolution of data and information, guarantee safety and security for all petroleum sector’s employees, empower female participation in the energy industry, and improve the skills of young professionals and future leaders. The Opening Ceremony was attended by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi; Egypt’s Prime Minister, Sherif Ismail; Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla; the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, and a number of ministers, deputies, and executive leaders. During the Opening Ceremony, OPEC’s Sanusi Barkindo delivered a speech in which he praised Egypt’s consistent presence in the oil and gas market. As the secretary general well reminded, when Egypt hosted the first Arab Petroleum Congress in April 1959, key visionary leaders from petroleum producing countries gathered secretly at the Cairo Yacht Club to discuss the foundations of a strong organisation of petroleum exporters, leading to OPEC’s establishment in 1960 – to which Egypt became an observer in 1984. Sanusi Barkindo’s reminder illustrates Egypt’s position as an important driver of insights and a valuable player to unlock prospects and reach new achievements in the oil and gas sector. In this line, OPEC’s secretary general highlighted the strategic importance of EGYPS 2018 in bringing together petroleum experts from all over world, adding that the future of the industry relies on cooperation, with Egypt playing a significant role on the sector’s successful journey. OPEC’s secretary general further thanked the Egyptian president for advancing the development and prosperity of Egypt, extending his gratitude to minister Tarek El Molla for attending the last OPEC meeting in Vienna last November.
IN ORDER TO CONTINUE LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS, THE MINISTER ANNOUNCED FIVE NEW INITIATIVES TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF PERFORMANCE IN OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACT INVESTMENTS IN 2018.
El Molla subsequently praised the president’s high patronage on EGYPS’ editions, stressing the support given by the political leadership to the oil and gas sector and its impact on the achievements recorded during the past four years. The minister further pointed out that the conference is witnessing great momentum and international presence due to the success of the first edition, noting EGYPS 2018’s significant expansion in size, attendees, panels and discussions compared to the previous year. El Molla added that EGYPS is one of the implementation elements of the Ministry of Petroleum's strategy to welcome international cooperation in Egypt’s journey towards becoming an energy hub. In parallel with the government’s daring economic reforms, Egypt’s oil and gas sector has embarked in a new era of strategies to overcome chronic challenges that have been shadowing the industry, which resulted in unprecedented successes in 2017. Achievements included four major natural gas projects coming online - adding 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day, representing 40% of Egypt's production – such as the projects of the first phase of Northern Alexandria, experimental operations at Atoll, and production increase from Nooros. Additionally, the ministry launched a 2D seismic survey at the untested Red Sea waters, which was possible thanks to the demarcation of the maritime border with Saudi Arabia. In order to continue last year’s success, the minister announced five new initiatives to increase the efficiency of performance in oil and gas activities and attract investments in 2018. The first initiative consists of cooperating with international companies engaged in marketing petroleum products, aiming to Continued in page 3