The conference brings together the brightest minds and technical experts from across the energy value chain. (Image source: dmg events)

The ADIPEC 2024 Technical Conference has received a record 5,977 submissions, a 16% increase over last year, with major submission growth seen in the AI and Digital Transformation and Energy Transition and Decarbonisation categories, and increased submissions from African and Arab states.

The ADIPEC Technical Conference is a key part of ADIPEC, the world’s largest energy event, which takes place on 4-7 November 2024 in Abu Dhabi. Organised by SPE, the Technical Conference this year will feature 159 sessions across 12 categories, for which energy experts and engineers from around the world submit their work to be considered for presentation.

“As chairman of the ADIPEC Technical Conference, I am immensely proud to announce a historic milestone of 5,977 technical submissions received this year. This unprecedented volume of contributions underscores ADIPEC's vital role as a premier forum for innovative dialogue and exchange within the global energy sector. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all authors – the pioneering experts that continue to drive our industry forward, fostering the advancements and collaborative spirit necessary to meet the evolving demands of our world,” said Dr. Khaled Abdul Monem Al Kindi, Senior Vice President, Upper Zakum, ADNOC Offshore and ADIPEC 2024 Technical Conference Programme Chair.
Continuing its 40-year legacy of energy leadership and innovation, ADIPEC 2024 aims to be a driving force for accelerated energy action. This year, the event sets out a renewed vision, gathering diverse voices from communities, nations, and industries to find collective solutions that can deliver affordable, secure, and sustainable energy for all.

As a key part of ADIPEC’s portfolio of 10 conferences, the ADIPEC Technical Conference brings together the brightest minds and technical experts from across the energy value chain – the changemakers at the forefront of engineering, technology and industry innovation.

The two submission categories that saw the biggest increases were Energy Transition and Decarbonisation and AI and Digital Transformation, with 38% and 32% jumps respectively. These increases reveal the energy industry’s growing focus on emerging digital technologies and efforts to decarbonise in support of the energy transition, which are a major focus of ADIPEC this year, reflected across its dynamic conference and exhibition agenda.

A significant increase was also recorded in the number of submissions from Arab and African countries over last year, rising 50% and 28% respectively. Double-digit growth was also recorded in submissions from the Asia & Pacific Region, North America, and the Middle East. The ADIPEC Technical Conference also saw experts from 25% more companies submit their work for presentation.

Christopher Hudson, president of dmg events, the organiser of ADIPEC, said: "Decarbonisation presents many challenges and opportunities for all sectors. ADIPEC’s focus on platforming low-carbon energy innovations to power industry, empower lives, and accelerate global prosperity makes its Technical Conference a critical forum to advance a sustainable, secure and equitable energy future. This year’s record number of submissions, along with the substantial increases in geographical and category-specific contributions, highlights the alignment of our agenda with the industry's needs and the global commitment to be part of the solution."

NOGC 2023 explored the best strategic roadmap to leverage Namibia's oil and gas investments. (Image source: NOGC)

The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference is all set for a second edition in Windhoek from 20-22 August, following an eventful first edition in 2023 that explored the best strategic roadmap to leverage the region's oil and gas investments, especially from its resource powerhouse – Orange Basin 

This year's theme, Next Steps towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry, will include insights and analyses, specific to Namibia's hydrocarbons sector, also delving into the region's energy revolution in areas such as local content, infrastructure and logistics. National and international stakeholders will be present at the event to speak on Namibia's procurement transparency and the country's role in the global oil and gas markets. Chevon's majority acquisition of the petroleum exploration license 82 (PEL 82) in May shows international interests in the region even beyond Orange Basin. 

“20-22 August 2024 will signify a landmark three days of engagement, empowerment, and energy. The second edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference under the theme, The Next Steps Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry, comes to fruition based on unparalleled demand by industry players (international and local); public, private, academia and civil society stakeholders, as well as the general Namibian public from local entrepreneurs; to professionals across diverse sectors as well as the youth. The message is: Let’s fill the information gap; let’s network; let’s participate,” said Jason Kasuto, chairman, Economic Association of Namibia during the official launch of the second NOGC. This year's edition will be introducing pre-event, dedicated workshop sessions on skills development and capacity building in the oil, gas and energy sectors.

Creating sustainable value chains

Organised by the Economic Association of Namibia, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, NOGC 2024 is backed by the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia and the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy. The Ministry is working on a new, investor-friendly regulatory framework to balance out its 2030 hydrocarbon strategy, with first achieving oil and later getting large-scale green hydrogen projects started. Namibia will also be welcoming the inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S) in Windhoek from 3-5 September this year to provide a platform for the global players in the hydrogen value chain to promote their projects in Africa.

“With over 70 renowned speakers covering relevant topics, panel discussions, masterclasses and exhibitions, the mission of the Economic Association of Namibia is clear – the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2024 has a strong focus on proposing ideas and strategies that will ensure that investments in the sector will not create an enclave around oil and gas production sites, but that investment will lead to the development of an integrated industrial base with backward and forward linkages to the rest of the economy, thus creating sustainable value chains, jobs and uplifting the living standards of Namibia’s people,” said Kasuto.

Maggy Shino will be gracing WAES 24 with first-hand insights on the Luderitz Basin. (Image source: WAES)

Following the world-class Orange Basin discovery in Namibia that includes Shell’s Graff 1, TotalEnergies’ Venus, and Galp’s PEL 83, prospects at the Luderitz Basin will be presented by Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia, at the West Africa Energy Summit 2024 in Ghana

Slated to be held from 3-5 September in Accra, Shino will be gracing WAES 24 with first-hand insights on the Luderitz Basin. Besides Luderitz, she has also spoken to media about the highly prospective Walvis and Namib Basins, which share many characteristics of the Orange Basin yet remain highly underexplored. This will be an incredible opportunity for operators and explorationists seeking to partner with Namibia.

"We are delighted to welcome Ms Maggy Shino to the summit. Her presentation promises to offer unique insights into the Luderitz Basin, further solidifying Namibia’s position as a key player in the African upstream sector," said Dan Hyland, operations director at OGV Group, which is the event co-organiser with the Petroleum Commission, Ghana. "The West Africa Energy Summit will provide a unique platform for participants to gain comprehensive insights into the open acreage and farm-in opportunities in the transform margin," he added. 

West Africa: An investment hub

Hyland expressed his excitement about the participation of industry leaders and government representatives across West Africa, who will share presentations on multiple licenses across the Transform Margin. "The West Africa Energy Summit presents an unparalleled networking opportunity, providing expert insights and strategic discussions that will further business interests in the region,” he said. 

WAES 2024 has been curated with exciting sessions such as New Ventures Forum, National Showcase, Petroleum Data Workshop, and Skills and Training Workshop. 

With West Africa currently resembling a hotbed of deepwater activities as major discoveries come up from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, to name a few, the summit could not have happened at a better time. It will explore West Africa as an investment hub, with discussions on balancing oil, gas, and renewable energy for responsible resource management and energy independence.

Egbert Faibille Jnr, CEO, Petroleum Commission, Ghana. (Image source: WAES)

Following major offshore discoveries such as Calao, Ivory Coast, and Pecan, Ghana, among others, the region is all set to get its first energy summit this year – West African Energy Summit (WAES) 2024

Organised by OGV Group in partnership with the Ministry of Energy for Ghana, the summit will take place from 3-5 September 2024 in Accra, Ghana. 

With spotlight on Offshore West Africa as a preferred investment hub for global operators, industry stakeholders can expect prospective upstream deals, besides deal-making sessions on project development and capital raising. Facilitating discussions on the balance and integration of oil, gas and renewables, energy players can network, collaborate and advance the energy transformation narrative and economic development in West Africa. 

From fleet renovation campaign by Bourbon Mobility or conversion upgrades by Argeo Venture to subsea construction transport and installation by DOF, the region is currently a hotbed of deepwater activities. In a latest development, Amplus VGE and Carbon Cycle have collaborated to launch innovative solutions for easier acces to the lucrative marginal fields of West AfricaAmplus VGE and Carbon Cycle have collaborated to launch innovative solutions for easier acces to the lucrative marginal fields of West Africa. 

These examples will surely come up in the specially curated sessions of the summit – New Ventures Forum, National Showcase, Petroleum Data Workshop, and Skills and Training Workshop. 

Exchanges on the fundamentality of education in the energy sector to practice responsible resource management and energy independence will be dealt with in discussions led by the Scottish Africa Business Association. SABA will look into region-specific skills training as well. 

Attracting investments, driving sustainability 

Egbert Faibille Jnr, CEO of Petroleum Commission of the Republic of Ghana, said, “The West African Energy Summit for me is a groundbreaking event for the energy sector in the region. Within the framework of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), there have been several understandings and several efforts to ensure a certain convergence towards the exploitation and use of West African energy resources. To that extent, the event couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Dan Hyland, operations director of OGV Group, said, “West Africa's energy sector is poised for significant growth, and the West African Energy Summit provides a key platform for industry stakeholders to explore new opportunities and develop strategic partnerships. We believe in the region's potential to attract investment and drive sustainable development, and we are excited to assist discussions that will shape the future of energy in West Africa.”