EGYPS 2022 taking place at a vital time ahead of COP27

The Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) is one of the most important events across the oil, gas, and energy sector in North Africa and the Mediterranean region. It will take place next month at a vital time ahead of the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be hosted by Egypt in November.

Amwal Al Ghad Magazine interviewed this week Salman Abou Hamzeh, Vice President Energy of dmg events, the organisers of EGYPS 2022. Below is the transcript of the full interview.

What is the main theme of EGYPS 2022?

The Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) returns to Cairo under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of the Republic of Egypt, and with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, from 14 to 16 February 2022, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC). In its fifth edition, EGYPS marks the beginning of an ambitious strategic energy dialogue to shape the shift towards a more sustainable oil, gas and energy industry. Global experts at EGYPS will share their visions to achieve a more inclusive ecosystem on both social and environmental levels.

The main theme of the event is Delivering Energy Today. Held before COP 27, the EGYPS strategic conference convenes in-person at a critical time in the industry’s ongoing recovery and transition.  At this pivotal time of change and opportunity, global leaders from the energy value chain will outline their innovative strategies that continue to develop businesses and worldwide energy markets, that consciously contribute to global clean energy goals, whilst creating commercial partnership opportunities.

This year, the show brings an expanded agenda across its conferences, including the Strategic Conference, Technical Conference, Finance and Investment Summit and Awards, Equality in Energy Conference and Awards, and the HSE In Energy Conference and Awards. During the three Awards Ceremonies we will be honouring and celebrating the achievements of outstanding people and companies in the global energy space.

EGYPS has shown steady growth since its inception in 2017 and is now the leading oil, gas and energy exhibition and conference across Egypt, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region, reflecting on the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources ambitious strategic efforts to unlock the sector’s value chain potential and drive growth and sustainable development across Egypt and the whole region.

Confirmed in-person speakers include five ministers: His Excellency Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt; Her Excellency Natasa Pilides, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Republic of Cyprus; His Excellency Zafer Melhem, Chairman, Palestinian Energy & Natural Resources Authority; Her Excellency Dr Aissatou Sophie Gladima, Minister of Petroleum and Energies, Senegal; His Excellency Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

EGYPS 2022 will open its doors to more than 26,000 visitors.  conferences bring together more than 260 global speakers, energy experts, ministers, CEOs, and decision-makers. Over 16 CEOs and global energy leaders will be participating in the session, including Bernard Looney, CEO, BP; Claudio Descalzi, CEO, ENI; John Christmann, CEO, and President, Apache Corporation; Toufik Hakkar, CEO, Sonatrach; De la Rey Venter, Executive Vice President LNG West & CCUS, Shell; John Ardill, Vice President Exploration, ExxonMobil; Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman, and CEO, Baker Hughes; Jean Sentenac, President and CEO, Axens, Ali Al Jarwan, CEO Dragon oil, Mathios Rigas, CEO, Energean, Vimal Kapur, CEO & President, Honeywell and Andreas Shiamishis, CEO, Hellenic Petroleum.

In addition to the conferences, EGYPS will unite the international oil, gas, and energy community over three days, with more than 450 exhibitors, and recent international country pavilions confirmed, including Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Russia, and the UAE. Participating IOCs include Apache, bp, Chevron, Eni, Kuwait Energy, Total Energies, Capricorn Energy, ExxonMobil, Mubadala Petroleum, Cherion, INA, Wintershell, Dragon Oil, Shell, and TransGlobe Energy.  Technology and Service providers include Axens, AspenTech, Baker Hughes, Enppi, Halliburton, Huawei, NESR, Petrojet, Siemens Energy, Schlumberger, Schneider Electric, Technip Energies, and ESRI.

Is EGYPS 2022 aligned with the Egyptian state’s strategy to become a regional energy hub?

EGYPS is closely aligned with the Egyptian state’s strategy to become a regional energy hub. Shifting regional dynamics have prompted Egypt to step up its role as an energy hub.  Recently Egypt established the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), to progress technical cooperation and commercial integration for all member countries to jointly develop, monetise, and fast-track the regions’ gas market, create an energy trading hub and accelerate regional energy transition studies.

EGYPS 2022 is the primary gateway to one of the most promising oil, gas, and energy markets around the world, the Egyptian market. It offers unparalleled networking opportunities with key decision-makers and tracks the latest industry developments.

EGYPS 2022 will be held at a vital time before “COP27” which is scheduled to take place in Egypt, Will EGYPS 2022 discussion panels discuss any prominent topics in this regard?

EGYPS 2022 is held at a vital time ahead of COP27. At EGYPS global ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders will discuss the industry’s commitment to reducing its global carbon footprint.  As the world looks towards energy transition and net-zero ambitions, the immediate needs for all forms of energy, including hydrocarbons, remains constant.  Our industry experts will therefore showcase the importance of the industry being part of the solution to climate-change and energy transition.

The strategic conference, which is being held for the fifth year in a row, is considered one of the most prominent attractions at EGYPS… What are the main pillars to be discussed during the conference?

The EGYPS Strategic Conference has a track-record of bringing global industry experts to Cairo and this year is no different.  The conference sessions have been created based on three main pillars of utmost importance which are Egypt and the Mediterranean’s Energy Landscape; Energy Market Development; and Energy Transition; and Technical Innovation.

These pillars cover sub-topics, including tackling a gradual successful transition to a new energy mix, the deployment of low-carbon technologies for carbon capture and hydrogen production to avoid an abrupt detachment from the current energy system, fostering energy investments, and driving the global economic development ahead, despite the COVID-19 repercussions on various sectors.

Digitalisation in the oil and gas sector occupies an important place during EGYPS 2022. What is your agenda towards digitalisation in the upcoming edition?

EGYPS 2022 forges a cohesive vision and a holistic approach to digitalise the oil, gas, and energy sector. The Show’s exhibitors will showcase technologies and industry solutions that accelerate oil and gas discoveries and achieve optimal workflow automation.  EGYPS 2022 has dedicated zones that highlight the latest technological developments in the energy sector, in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.

The event is aligned with the state’s strategy towards digital transformation. EGYPS 2022 will also draw on the fully-integrated digital transformation programme adopted by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources that has substantially helped to consolidate the sector, ensuring data-driven decision making, boosting investments, supporting crisis response, and harnessing the global technological evolution.  The ministry will be showcasing achievements including the launch of the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG) which provides geological data to attract in-country investments.

Each year, the conference is concerned with honouring and motivating youth and women to pursue excellence. How does EGYPS 2022 pursues this goal?

EGYPS 2022 will feature awards ceremonies that celebrate outstanding achievements, namely: the HSE Excellence in Energy Awards, Global Equality in Energy Awards, and Global Finance & Investment Awards. In the last 12 months, the awards committees have selected 42 shortlisted finalists across 11 categories.

EGYPS 2022 will also feature the third edition of the Youth Engagement Programme, supported by headline sponsor ExxonMobil and Petrojet. An edutainment agenda providing an onsite learning platform, engaging with high school students within the framework of STEM Education focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, to ultimately encourage them to pursue careers in the oil and gas industry. The programme will feature two trip fields.

Investment in the field of oil, gas and energy is one of the most important topics discussed at the EGYPS 2022 Finance & Investment Summit. What will the discussion panels focus on this year?

The second day of EGYPS will feature the second edition of the EGYPS Finance & Investment Summit gathering global leaders to emphasise the magnitude of developing innovative governance, investment, and cost management models for the energy value chain to overcome future economic turbulences whilst paving the way for a global decarbonised economy.

Tell us about dmg Events and its activities in the field of organising exhibitions and conferences?

dmg events is a leading organiser of face-to-face events and a publisher of trade magazines. We aim to keep businesses informed and connect them with relevant communities to create vibrant marketplaces and to accelerate their business across multiple platforms. dmg events organises more than 80 events across 25 countries, attracting over 425,000 attendees and delegates every year.  The company’s portfolio of products includes many industry leading events such as The Big 5 construction shows, ADIPEC, and Gastech energy events.  Founded in 1989, the company is headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT, www.dmgt.com), one of the largest media companies in the United Kingdom.