CONFERENCE AGENDA
Monday 13 February 2023
Tuesday 14 February 2023
10:00 10:30
Official Strategic Conference Opening
10:30 11:00
Managing supply and demand in volatile times – supporting global economies and energy security
The geopolitical uncertainty and changing dynamics of the global energy trading system have highlighted the importance of energy security for all global economies. Ministers and CEOs of the world’s largest energy companies have come to recognise energy sources are not equal in terms of the security they offer and that geopolitics no longer affects just emerging and developing markets, but every economy worldwide.
Today, in this unprecedented era of volatility and transition, partnerships between governments and energy companies and between operators and regulators remain critical to ensure open conversation on an agenda that drives regulation, investment, security, transition and innovation.
Attendee insights
A vital discussion that will articulate the importance of embracing an innovation agenda to support partnerships that drive growth across the energy value chain, supporting global economies and energy security.
11:00 12:00
Redrawing the global energy map – fast-tracking delivery and creating new routes to market
The energy trading map continues to be redrawn with a priority spotlight on the EU, providing a window of opportunity for export from Egypt and the East Mediterranean, ahead of alternatives including US LNG reaching international markets.
With abundant discovered and undiscovered natural resources and legacy transit infrastructure, Egypt and East Mediterranean countries can collectively play a decisive role in helping solve the EU’s gas crisis. However, with the gas needed now, the caveat is fast-tracked delivery and routes to market. Can FLNG units be a quick fix to supplement the regions existing infrastructure?
Egypt already has a great track record in delivering Zohr, but speedy delivery requires good will and good partnerships. Can a pandemic and energy crisis be the catalysts that align global governments, international organisations, operators, tech providers and EPCs to deliver against all odds?
Attendee insights
A critical discussion on getting new oil and gas supplies to market, fast. With insights on the mobilisation, infrastructure, technologies and investment levels and agreements needed for operators to ramp up production and plug the supply gap and how economies can safeguard against, and pivot away from reliance on one major supplier.
12:00 13:30
Lunch
13:45 14:30
New beginnings – the race to exploiting East Med gas
The contribution of East Med gas in the context of energy security and decarbonisation efforts continues to grow. In line with expanding current domestic and export potential, the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) continues to take the lead on driving mutual economic prosperity, the reduction of regional carbon footprints, and expanding upon its remit to remain relevant and deliver upon stakeholder engagements.
Attendee insights
A vital discussion on building unity and paving the way for regional importing and exporting countries to become partners and suppliers of choice.
14:30 15:00
The energy transition dialogue – addressing the realities of current converging market dynamics
As regionally Egypt played host to COP27, and the UAE prepares for COP28, the industry is already driving business models to decarbonise the oil and gas value chain. But with no single agreed transition roadmap in place, it’s acknowledged the energy transition will be delivered by multiple energy sources and action plans and will not be cost or complication free
At the same time, current geopolitical constraints have shifted the fundamentals of the energy transition to include renewed focus on energy security and affordability, calling for continued investment in oil and gas, with the provision for climate-conscious sustainable exploration and production and the use of low-carbon tech.
Attendee insights
An important discussion to address the reality of current market dynamics and the critical steps both government and industry are taking to drive actionable outcomes to deliver both energy transition and energy security and affordability in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Her Excellency
Dóra Zombori
Deputy State Secretary for Energy Security
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Hungary
Moustapha Bechir
Director General of Hydrocarbons
Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy
Mauritania
15:00 15:30
Fostering enabling strategies, policies and frameworks – driving energy transition and climate-change actions
Historical policies and frameworks are no longer able to withstand or enable hydrocarbon or clean energy growth. As a result, governments, international energy agencies and organisations, operators, think tanks and coalitions globally are coming together to drive change.
To advance decarbonisation efforts and produce oil and gas resources that are more environmentally friendly, 120 countries, Egypt included, have joined the oil and gas sector Global Methane Pledge to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030.
A low-carbon solution, hydrogen is poised to play a key role in the future global energy mix. However, operator and tech led hydrogen roadmaps and government policies enabling investment and long-term strategies are required to bring infrastructure to scale and support the deployment of technologies.
In supporting energy independence and further adding to the future energy mix, government plans to expand nuclear power are being revisited. However, regulations and funding are required to enable expansion of new nuclear reactors and support infrastructure build-out.
To counteract rising inflation and increasingly weak economies globally, OPEC+ continues to flex its control on oil pricing with its latest production cuts based on the assumption of oil price recovery.
Attendee insights:
An important discussion outlining the work being done to create enabling businesses, policies and frameworks to drive energy transition and climate-change actions. Plus, insights into how future oriented strategies and frameworks can stabilise unexpected energy crises and protect against fluctuating market pricing at times of geopolitical uncertainties.
His Excellency
Haitham Al Ghais
Secretary General
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
10:30 11:15
Global Business Leaders Session
Decarbonising the industry – in building a winning downstream portfolio, where do alternatives such as renewable feedstocks sit?
Contrary to some opinions, the current energy crisis has escalated, not derailed industry efforts to tackle climate change and deliver upon energy transition commitments. Indeed, the challenging geopolitical environment and energy crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of today’s global energy system.
These market disruptions and increasingly demanding consumer behaviours are defining a new downstream
ecosystem, one that is circular, more energy efficient, focused upon decarbonisation and the deployment of
low-carbon technologies across its processes, and evaluating a shift to renewable feedstocks such as solar and wind to reduce costs, cut down on feedstock emissions and free up valuable gas resources for export.
Attendee insights
A valuable discussion detailing how to build a winning downstream portfolio through asset choices that capture hydrocarbons value whilst focused upon decarbonisation and embrace renewables and alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen in the feedstock value chain.
Ibrahim Abdelqader Mekki Mahgoub
President and Chairman
Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM)
11:15 11:45
FEATURE
Fireside chat: African gas
A candid conversation on the opportunity of gas for the African continent. Insights into its potential, the key drivers, the immediate barriers and solutions of developing natural gas value-chains in Africa to address energy poverty and climate change.
The conversation will explore how governments and the African industry can spur development and play a role in delivering a secure and sustainable energy future for the continent, paving the way for a just African energy transition.
11:45 12:30
Global Business Leaders Session
The rise of gas and LNG – the global scramble in a tight market with soaring prices
Gas and LNG flows have shifted significantly since the start of the Ukraine invasion and the West’s unprecedented sanctions against Russia, creating a global scramble for gas and a significantly changed energy trading map across all major markets, not just emerging.
With gas and LNG markets expected to remain tight into 2023, continued soaring global trade prices and 2022/23 winter months approaching, there is renewed urgency to secure affordable supplies. The question is, where is it coming from and how quickly can it be exported?
Attendee insights
A deep dive into the current global trading environment and the likely outcomes in terms of short to mid-term pricing, continued disrupted trade flows and infrastructure and supply chain challenges, plus European vs Asian demands on what is ultimately the same gas and LNG supply pool.
13:30 14:15
Global Business Leaders Session
Pivoting from traditional oil and gas operations to new generation energy solutions – driving change through tough asset portfolio choices
The energy industry is at a moment of change. Energy security is dictating the need for optionality in energy sources to make a practical and successful transition, including in the short-term fossil fuels with natural gas, albeit abated, gaining increased recognition as a bridging fuel to net-zero ambitions.
COP27 in Egypt has been of great significance on how the industry moves forward and decarbonises its operations. At the same time, major economies looking to diversify their energy dependence are building momentum for new generation energy solutions such as the Inflation Reduction Act in the US and the REPowerEU package in Europe. These initiatives are creating positive changes across economies and businesses.
Pivoting from traditional oil and gas operations to new generation energy solutions requires companies to embrace and reinvent their business models, making tough choices on how and where they focus, bringing forward the need for transparent and action-orientated leadership.
Attendee insights
As insightful leadership discussion driven by the need for change. Panelists will share insights on how they are changing their business models and making tough asset portfolio choices to bring forward transition, stability and security amidst global disruptions.
14:15 14:45
FEATURE
Fireside chat: East Med gas
With the recent announcement of a significant gas discovery in the Nargis Block Offshore Egypt, which adds
considerably to the company’s already significant gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, this exclusive
conversation provides the opportunity to gain first-hand insights on the potential of the Nargis discovery.
The conversation will also focus on the importance of natural gas in supporting energy security and its role in the energy transition. Plus how this super major’s lower carbon strategy is helping balance its traditional portfolio with an increasing focus on more climate conscious energies.
14:45 15:30
Global Business Leaders Session
Decarbonising oil and gas sustainably – breaking down barriers through investment, innovation and technology
The compelling reality of the global energy transition is that oil and gas demand will not evaporate anytime soon. However, this makes it no less critical that businesses continue to drive transformation across their operations, adopting an innovative low-carbon agenda that embraces technology to reduce emissions and produce more but with a lower, more sustainable carbon footprint.
CCUS, methane reduction, flare recovery and reinjection, low-carbon hydrogen and energy management and
efficiency are crucial areas where efforts are being expanded to increase momentum and advance decarbonisation across the oil and gas value chain.
To accelerate actions globally, policymakers, operators, service providers and technology developers must ensure access to funding is available and affordable and that supporting infrastructure and build-out are in place.
Attendee insights
An important discussion highlighting the latest innovations and tech being deployed to support decarbonisation efforts and the necessity for access to oil and gas investment. Plus, panel reactions to the question – what more can be done to meet the 1.5°C pathway by mid-century?
15:30 16:15
Ministerial Interview
Collaboration, stability, prosperity, sustainability and transition – Egypt, a country transforming at speed
Having gone from a gas importer to exporter in a relatively short period of time, Egypt continues its transformation at speed. At the heart of its success is the unwavering support of its government, plus an ethos of collaboration and strong partnerships to derive stability for its economy, prosperity for its people, sustainability for its oil and gas resources and transition for its energy future.
As hosts of COP27, Egypt drove a unified voice for Africa’s energy transition. Pushing natural gas as the transitional fuel of choice, calling for access to continued investment and funding allocation for oil and gas and championing access to energy for all, to alleviate energy poverty across African continents.
Egypt’s role in the region and industry are significant. This year alone, international partners have signed 16 exploration agreements and another 15 for 2023. Investments and expectations are high. Ability to fast-track from discovery to onstream remains a core component of Egypt’s attractiveness, helping to gain significant market influence globally at a time when energy security uncertainties continue.
Attendee insights:
This key interview will explore how Egypt is transitioning from a regional to international player on the global energy map. Its renewed focus on becoming an energy trading hub, supplying gas to the EU through regional cooperation with EMGF member countries. Its continued voice for Africa’s energy transition and access to funding. And its steadfast commitment to its international partners to collaborate to decarbonise the industry.