EMGC to focus on region’s growth, maturation
Situated in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, just south of Turkey, the island nation of Cyprus will once again host the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Conference (EMGC), now in its fifth year. Shaped by a strong European influence, including that of neighboring Greece and Turkey, the country is bursting with scenic, cultural and historical sights to be seen. The island is home to picturesque white-sand beaches and features a diverse assortment of restaurants and entertainment that visitors can choose from.
The conference will be held March 21–22, 2018, at the Hilton Cyprus, in Nicosia, and will provide attendees with the latest news and information regarding the region’s developing natural gas industry. It is centrally located, allowing easy access to the Old City and the business district.
Throughout the two-day event, a comprehensive technical program will feature speakers from some of the region’s top operators and service companies—including Eni, Cyprus Hydrocarbon Company (CHC), Delek Group, IGI Poseidon, Cygas, Lloyd’s Register, Deloitte and Israel’s Ministry of Energy. Attendees will garner valuable business insight from some of the companies’ top executives, as well as from regional government officials, who assist in determining natural gas policies in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Day 1. Following opening remarks from Catherine Watkins, publisher of World Oil’s sister magazine, Hydrocarbon Processing, the conference will kick off with a keynote address from Eni CEO Luca Bertelli.
Session One, “The State of the Eastern Med—Where are we today?” will include talks presented by industry executives from CHC and The Ministry of Energy, State of Israel. Dr. Michael Gardosh, head of the Geology & Geophysics department of Israel’s Natural Resources Administration, will focus on updates and information regarding the geology and hydrocarbon potential of the Levant basin, as well as the country’s first offshore bid round.
Session One will continue with a presentation from the Lebanese Petroleum Administration’s head of Geology & Geophysics, Wissam Edmond Chbat. Chbat will update attendees on Lebanon’s first offshore licensing round, a significant milestone that took place last October.
Session Two, “Expediting development of the region’s gas finds,” will spotlight progress at some of the region’s chief offshore assets, such as Leviathan, Karish and Tanin fields. Speakers will include Gene Kornegay, country manager and V.P. at Noble Energy; Mathios Rigas, CEO at Energean Oil & Gas; and Yaniv Friedman, deputy CEO at Delek Drilling LP and Avner Oil LP.
Session Three, “Strategies to encourage foreign investment in the Eastern Med,” will highlight investment trends and new natural gas laws in Egypt. Charles Ellinas, CEO at E-C Natural Hydrocarbons Company, will discuss how private-sector participation can help Egypt become a key regional gas hub.
The first day of the conference will conclude with a panel discussion, moderated by Adrienne Blume, editor of Gas Processing and executive editor of Hydrocarbon Processing. The panel will examine Egyptian gas reform and how the country can increase investment, promote activity, and boost the economy.
Day 2. Session Four, “Diversifying Supply Routes for the Eastern Med,” will follow the morning’s keynote address. The session will include presentations from Gulf Publishing Company (parent of World Oil) President and CEO John Royall, and Senior Gas and LNG Analyst Lucas Schmitt of Wood Mackenzie.
Session Five, “Infrastructure Needs: Building for the Future,” will examine the region’s domestic market demand, as well as the management of its supply chain. Speakers include Panayiotis Mitrou, technology & innovation manager for the South Europe Marine & Offshore division of Lloyd’s Register; and Symeon Kassianides, non-executive chairman at The Natural Gas Public Company.
The event will conclude with Session Six, “Technological Advancements—Meeting the Needs and Demands of the Eastern Med.” The closing session will feature a diverse group of industry executives, who will discuss next-generation solutions and technology being developed to optimize exploration and drilling efficiency. Topics of discussion also will include flow assurance, completions, production and digitalization. 
