By Dipo Olowookere
Leading oil and gas industry executives and experts from across the East Mediterranean will gather in Beirut this May, to gain invaluable insight to the newly presented opportunities in Lebanon’s energy sector, the challenges and the road ahead for companies and investors in the field.
Organizers of the Lebanon International Oil & Gas (LIOG) Summit have confirmed that the event will return 9 -10 May 2017 for its third edition, at the prestigious Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand Hotel, under the high patronage of Cesar Abi Khalil, Lebanon’s minister of energy and water, and in collaboration with the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA).
The summit will highlight the recent progress by Lebanon’s new government to advance its vast oil and gas potential after developing highly advanced world-class regulatory and operational frameworks for this nascent industry.
Launched in 2012 to support Lebanon’s initial findings and to explore the potential of the country’s hydrocarbon resources, LIOG 2017 will build on the success of its previous editions which attracted hundreds of delegates and dozens of high-calibre speakers from over 30 countries representing over 150 local and international companies and organizations, including major international oil companies (IOCs).
Held under the theme ‘Lebanon – Moving Forward’, LIOG 2017 will cover key areas with over 30 Lebanese, regional and international expert speakers who will share their insight on Lebanon’s position as a key hydrocarbons player in the Mediterranean, highlighting recent achievements, showing the new potential of the country and providing delegates with an overview of the legal, financial and technical frameworks.
Also, they will share insight on current and expected market conditions and regional geopolitics, along with their impact on Lebanon. In-depth discussions will cover issues like providing return on investment even with low hydrocarbon prices and drawing on international experiences, particularly in terms of turning such challenges into opportunities for all stakeholders and the many benefits that Lebanon has to offer and how has the country restated itself as an attractive destination for oil and gas investments.
All the above subjects will be presented in a well-structured, rich programme, held over two consecutive days.
In addition to the prequalified companies for Lebanon’s first licensing round, participants will include a wide range of service providers including drilling and well servicing contractors; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors; banks and insurers; specialized law firms; HSE consultants and suppliers, and more.
Paul Gilbert, Managing Director organising company, Global Events Partners Ltd (GEP), said, “Following the recent approval by Lebanon’s council of ministers of the two crucial decrees and the official launch of the sector, everything is now in place for the Lebanese government to go ahead with the long-awaited first licensing round. We strongly believe that LIOG 2017 Summit has a pivotal role in this exercise, particularly in terms of promoting the country’s potentials and drawing investors.”
Dory Renno, Managing Director of the co-organising company, Planners and Partners S.A.L. added, “We believe in Lebanon and in its business climate, which makes it a great place for the conferences and exhibitions industry, We also strongly believe that successful conferences like LIOG reflect a positive image about Lebanon as an attractive investment arena, and highlight the many achievements by the government in terms of creating the right operational frameworks and promoting transparency in a sustainable manner.”
Renno added; “The Summit will also boast an international exhibition showcasing the latest products and services available by local, regional and international companies and organizations, and provide a unique branding opportunity for exhibitors.”
Lebanon, which is believed to have sizable hydrocarbon resources, has recently announced that five offshore blocks will be on offer in its first licensing round which is expected to take place during 2017.
Over 46 international companies were prequalified in 2013, and a new prequalification round is expected to take place in March 2017.
The 3rd LIOG-2017 Summit is organised by UK-based Global Events Partners Ltd (GEP) and Lebanese partner, Planners and Partners sal. Global Event Partners Ltd is affiliated to the dmg::events network.
Adedapo Adesanya