International Oil and Gas Forum opened in Ashgabat

The 22nd International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan-2017” (OGT-2017) has been opened in an Exhibition Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The forum was organized by the State Concern “Turkmennebit” and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the country. 

The OGT-2017 Forum has occupied a firm position and won high prestige in the world business arena, and the representativeness of its participants shows the great interest which is caused by modern Turkmenistan and its potential. The foreign business circles’ trust and desire to invest in the Turkmen economy are growing from year to year. 

The prestigious oil and gas forum has once again brought together scientists and experts, representatives of the government bodies and authoritative organizations, leading world fuel and energy companies and sectoral departments of the country, as well as domestic and foreign media. 

A huge interest in this event is provoked by the colossal energy potential of Turkmenistan, which possesses the world’s largest reserves of hydrocarbon resources. Another good cause in this respect is our country’s open energy policy, as well as the constructive international initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, aimed at ensuring global energy security and unanimously supported by the world community. 

This year the stands at the Exposition Center have been presented by about 40 companies from 16 countries including the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of France, the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Belarus, Ukraine, as well as agencies of the fuel and energy complex of our country. 

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by the Government officials, the leaders of Mejlis, ministries and departments, public organizations, the heads of diplomatic representations and missions accredited to Turkmenistan, specialists in the oil and gas industry, foreign guests and others. 

The main thematic sections of the specialized show included the geology and oil and gas geophysics, the prospecting and exploration of deposits, the development and operation of well, the extraction and processing, the transportation and storage, the oil production, refining and oil-gas chemistry technologies, the equipment for the gas, oil and petrochemical industries, the equipment and tools for drilling and workover of wells, the composite and lubricating materials, the pipeline and shut-off valves and components, the pumps, compressors, pneumatics, engines, hydraulics and drives, the electro-technical equipment for oil and gas complex, the welding equipment, the fire safety and protective equipment, etc. A certain place at the exposition was designated for innovations and promising developments in the field of renewable energy sources, enhancing environmental security at enterprises. 

The exhibition visitors will be certainly attracted by the stands presented by the State Concerns “Turkmengaz” and “Turkmennebit”, the State Corporation “Turkmengeologiya”, the Turkmenbashi Complex of Oil Refineries, which are developing the country’s giant oil and gas fields, as well as producing highly profitable products, as well as several other enterprises. 

The conference is attended by about 500 delegates representing 164 international and governmental organizations, including the Energy Charter, which Conference is chaired by Turkmenistan this year, as well as foreign companies, media and diplomatic missions from almost 40 countries of the world. Many delegations are represented by high-ranking officials, who are at the head of relevant state institutions. Solid information support is provided to the forum by foreign specialized publications, news agencies, printing houses and Internet portals. 

Today, plenary and sectional sessions have been held to discuss the presentations on such an urgent topic as the prospects for development of the international, regional and domestic oil and gas industry - the formation of a future strategy, as well as to provide a general review of trends in the oil, gas and associated commodities markets, the transportation of hydrocarbon resources and the marketing strategies. 

As was noted, over the years of independence Turkmenistan has strengthened its positions among the world’s largest energy powers, and now the country is successfully implementing its energy strategy, where the important aspects are the comprehensive modernization and technical re-equipment of the fuel and energy sector enterprises, strengthening the industry’s raw materials base, including by accelerated industrial development of new oil and gas fields, discovered in the Amudarya basin, the Central Karakum, in the sea shelf and coastal zone of the Caspian Sea, as well as the creation of a diverse system of energy supplies to the world markets. 

A striking example in this respect is the super-giant in terms of international classification Galkynysh field, participating in the development of which are the large foreign companies. The first development phase of this unique field (a complex of commercial gas production plants) has already been put into operation. 

The implementation of this field’s grandiose development project is also relevant in view of commencing the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, for which Galkynysh is to become the main raw materials source. Looking ahead, it should be noted that a panel discussion will be devoted to the TAPI project theme, during which all parties concerned will be able to obtain exhaustive firsthand information. 

A system approach of the experts made it possible to ensure a high level of discussions, and to offer, based on its results, the proposals that are objectively in demand today in forming the energy policy. 

In addition to strategic issues related to development of the oil and gas sector and expanding international cooperation, the participants discussed options for introducing innovative technologies into the industry. 

One of the topics on the forum agenda was, inter alia, the possible ways for the supplies of Turkmen hydrocarbons to international markets. As was noted, Turkmenistan with hydrocarbon resources of planetary importance has been showing and continues to demonstrate a highly responsible and constructive approach to addressing the issues of effective fulfillment of its enormous potential in the interests of the entire world community. 

On November 3, the International Conference “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan-2017” will be continued. 

The main session topics will be the technological innovations and experience of the world oil and gas companies, the foreign investments and international cooperation in the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan with an emphasis on exploration and production, the world experience in launching and managing processing projects and the measures to increase the natural gas monetization efficiency. 

During the scheduled meetings, negotiations and exchange of views, the heads of structural departments of the domestic fuel and energy complex and their potential partners will discuss issues related to the prospects and strategic areas of cooperation in the leading sector of the Turkmen economy. 

An excursion to the natural gas-to-gasoline processing plant construction site in Akhal velayat province has been also planned for the International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan-2017” delegates. 

The forum is to close on November 4.