Abu Dhabi, UAE – 12 October, 2015 – Scores of officials and industry leaders from the Gulf and other countries will meet in Bahrain during November 25-26 for the 2015 Middle East Heavy Oil Congress that will focus on the latest developments in the industry.

The event will be held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Abdul Hussein bin Ali Mirza, Bahrain’s Energy Minister and Chairman of the Bahrain Petroleum and Gas Authority.

DMG Global Events, the event organizers said the event constitutes a platform for the participants to exchange views on the latest developments in the heavy oil sector.

Bapco’s Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Al Shiryan welcomed the participants in this important event which comes amidst an increasing tendency to exploit heavy oil resources. He said the event represents a “major regional gathering” to discuss the industry and the developments that will determine the future of this vital sector.

The conference will include an evaluation of heavy oil resources and development technologies as well as the latest techniques in exploration and production with a minimum effect on the environment.

It will cover studies on the sector presented by delegates from Kuwait on refinery updating and improvement and diversification of heavy oil production besides studies from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.

In an interview MEHOC, Aamer Al Balushi, reservoir engineering advisor at Tatweer Petroleum, said the company had made progress in the EOR techniques to extract heavy oil.

He said this involved testing CSS, using high-pressure steam injection and low-pressure production, which was found to be successful in mobilizing oil from the low-permeability Rubble reservoir.

He said that based on the initial technical success, the CSS pilot was expanded to 17 additional wells drilled on three different well-pads located in different parts of the field with different reservoir properties.

Subsequently, continuous steam injection and offset oil production was attempted in two of the steam pilot pads, he added.

A survey conducted by MEHOC revealed the participants include national oil companies (NOC), international oil companies (IOC), service providers, technology firms and other companies. Sector-wise, they are involved in hydrocarbon exploration and production, transportation and storage, wholesale marketing of crude oil and crude refining.

It also showed the majority of those surveyed agreed to attend a technical two-day heavy oil conference to address the many pressing issues the industry faces.

Key topics to be discussed by the participants cover:

–        Strategies that are being implemented in existing and upcoming heavy oil projects including case studies from Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,

–        Evaluating a holistic approach to extending the reservoir lifecycle,

–        Reshaping refineries for better conversion of heavy oil,

–       Innovations that are being used to maximize heavy oil recovery with minimal environmental impact.

During the Congress a number of industry leaders will exhibit their companies’ products & services. The congress will be attended by His Excellency Dr. Abdul Hussain Mirza, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), Emad Sultan, Deputy CEO, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) NORTH, Dr Peter Bartlett, CEO, Bahrein Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Andrew Kershaw, CEO, Tatweer Petroleum, Paul Sanders, Vice President, Business Development, Petrospec Engineering, Chandra Sekhar, Process Specialist FCCU, Scott Smith, Head of Bahrain Reservoir Management Team.