Andrew Vaughan, Vice President of Shell for Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Syria, has said that the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC, is one of the leading oil and gas conferences in the world and provides industry leaders, geoscientists and engineers with a unique forum to share best practices and ideas.

In an interview with Emirates News Agency, WAM, ahead of tomorrow's opening, Vaughan said that Shell has supported ADIPEC from its inception, which, he said, "Reflects our commitment and the 76-year partnership we have enjoyed with the UAE, supporting the country's oil and gas sector development through knowledge transfer and training as well as innovative solutions."

The theme of this year's conference, Innovation and Sustainability, refers to key issues such as ensuring that the industry can support the growing energy demands of the world, and, through the application of innovative technologies, do so in a responsible way, says Vaughan.

"Today, we are standing at the cross-roads of a new energy future where rising demand for clean and affordable energy presents us with challenges but also immense opportunities," he said.

Mr Vaughan added that by bringing together professionals from all over the world in Abu Dhabi means that the industry understands the significant role that the region, and Abu Dhabi in particular, plays in global energy.

Speaking on whether Shell will be showcasing new technology at ADIPEC 2015, Shell's VP said that this year, Shell's stand at the exhibition is a true representation of the company's long-term presence in Abu Dhabi.

"We will feature our world-class technologies in integrated gas, smart mobility and WellVantage. One of the main items on our stand is our latest innovative technologies the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Experience, through which you can see Shell's differentiating capabilities for drilling," he said.

The stand will also showcase Shell's long partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology, through the ‘Made in the UAE' fuel-efficient cars designed and built by the college's students, and its partnership with the Emirates Foundation which began in 2005 when the foundation was first established.

On the Bab Gas Development, a 30-year joint venture to develop the major Bab sour gas reservoirs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2013, in which Shell was selected to participate, Mr Vaughan said that as Abu Dhabi's economy continues to grow at an impressive rate, this growth is accompanied by an increase in energy needs, which means that new energy sources need to be found and developed, especially in the application of technologies to unlock 'challenging' gas, including sour gas reserves such as Bab Field.

"A new natural gas development like Bab sour gas will benefit Abu Dhabi in terms of supplying local demand, but will also benefit the entire UAE since the gas network is a single system.

"At a time when energy demand is rising, we recognise how vitally important it is to be at the forefront of innovation along with our partner ADNOC. And that's why a cornerstone of Shell's value proposition is pioneering technological solutions to maximise returns for our partners," he explained.

In conclusion, the VP said that Shell has a strong project and business portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa stretching back over 100 years in some countries, and continue to use its technology leadership to build an even stronger one for the future.

"We've been present in Abu Dhabi since the late 1930's. Shell had a 9.5% shareholding in the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operation for seven decades, and has a 15% shareholding in Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited.

"In Dubai, the world's largest non-disconnectable internal turret was constructed at Dubai Dry Docks as part of the Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas project. We also have a vibrant downstream aviation and lubricants business in Dubai, and supply Liquefied Natural Gas to meet Dubai's rising energy needs," he said.

Vaughan went on to say that the company has joint venture partnerships in many other countries in the region, including Oman, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, as well as in Jordan, where Shell is testing the vast oil shale resources via the Jordan Oil Shale Company, Shell's only shale oil project in the Middle East.

"At Shell we are always looking for and open to new opportunities if they fit within our portfolio," he said.

Source: WAM