by Expo Events Consulting Expo Events Consulting

Ministers from world’s leading energy economies and business leaders discuss role of gas, LNG, and hydrogen in meeting future demand for energy Gastech brings together more than 15,000 global industry professionals in the gas, LNG, hydrogen, and energy sectors to map out journey to net-zero energy

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today opened Gastech, the world’s foremost exhibition and conference supporting the gas, LNG, hydrogen, and energy industry.

Delivering the opening address of Gastech 2021, His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) highlighted the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) leadership in natural gas and said natural gas will support the nation’s vision for economic growth as set out by the Leadership in the ‘Principles of the Fifty’.

“The ‘Principles of the Fifty’ is a mandate for progress driven by 10 guiding principles aimed at making the UAE the most dynamic economy in the world. Gas will play a pivotal role in this blueprint for growth, as the essential fuel stock for our downstream hub in Ruwais and our industrial joint venture,TA’ZIZ,” H.E. Dr. Al Jaber said.

His Excellency explained that the UAE is strengthening its position as a regional leader in natural gas and the emerging blue Hydrogen market. He attributed this leadership position to the foresight of the Founding Founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed, who recognized the enormous potential natural gas offered and the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

H.E. Dr. Al Jaber pointed out that the country was the first in the region to stop flaring and find economic uses for gas, the first to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, the first to produce ultrasour gas at an industrial scale, and the first to store carbon dioxide (CO2) and use it in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to liberate more gas.

His Excellency added that as innovations are helping to make gas even cleaner and more sustainable, the UAE is applying technology to create zero-carbon fuels from gas such as Hydrogen. “Already at ADNOC, we produce about 300,000 tons of hydrogen a year. By leveraging our existing gas infrastructure and commercial-scale CCUS capabilities, the UAE can and will become a major player in the emerging blue hydrogen market.”

H.E. Mohammad Barkindo Sanusi, Secretary-General, OPEC, said: “We congratulate the UAE for hosting a global platform that gathers key industry players to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. The world will continue to consume energy, as by 2045 the demand on oil is expected to grow by 28% and on gas by 26%. The world needs continuous, predictable, and adequate investments in energy, particularly in oil and gas, which is irreplaceable because of the scale of its contribution to the global energy mix. The global economy is expected to double by 2045 and the population will increase by 20%. This will require the investment community to invest in supporting the energy sector as there is no other resources available to cover more than 50% of what the market needs.”

Gastech 2021 marks the first time the global gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry has been able to meet live and in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In keeping with Gastech 2021’s main theme Leading the Net-Zero Agenda, policy makers and business leaders from the global gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry also took part in a series of discussions focused on decarbonisation, investment, hydrogen and technology. Among the topics discussed were how organisations will need to work across multiple sectors to deliver on their low carbon commitments; financing future gas projects during the transition to Net Zero energy; integrating hydrogen into the existing energy ecosystem and how technology can drive the Net-Zero agenda.

Gastech 2021 is co-hosted by ADNOC, Shell, and Venture Global LNG. Before it closes on Thursday, September 23, Gastech 2021 will be attended by more than 15,000 attendees including senior decision-makers and energy industry thought leaders, and 250 exhibiting companies.

Taking place alongside Gastech 2021 is the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) enabling visitors to attend both events’ exhibitions without the need to register twice.