EMGC 2019 to deliver updates, outlooks from Eastern Mediterranean operators

The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Conference (EMGC) is gearing up for another must-attend event in Cyprus. The conference, now in its sixth year, will be held March 6–7, 2019, in Cyprus’ capital, Nicosia. EMGC provides the most relevant, up-to-date information on the region by operators working in the area.

Attendees. EMGC attendees will get the latest information on the region’s natural gas industry, as well as the ability to gain entry to regional markets and seek potential new business partners through various presentations and networking events. Key players in the energy market will be present. Attendees can expect to hear from major companies and administrations including Eni, Total, IEF, Hellenic Hydrocarbon Resources Management, Hellenic Petroleum, Energean Oil & Gas, Noble Energy and the Lebanese Petroleum Administration.

Last year, EMGC attracted 156 delegates from 19 countries. This year, the conference will attract not only diversity, but a plethora of high-quality attendees, speakers and decision-makers. In 2018, a reported 52% of attendees held a job title at the level of director or higher. Likewise, another 35% reported a job title at a management level. When asked the value of information provided at the conference, 96% of EMGC 2018 attendees rated the conference “very valuable to extremely valuable.”

Day One of the conference will begin with keynote addresses on the state of the Eastern Mediterranean gas sector. Keynotes are scheduled from Alessandro Barberis, managing director of Eni Cyprus; Elias Kassis, V.P. of North Africa, Total E&P; and Yannis Bassias, CEO of Hellenic Hydrocarbon Resources Management.

Following an Oceaneering-sponsored coffee and networking break, Session One will feature talks from Panos Benos, CFO of Energean Oil & Gas; Walid Nasr, chairman of the board for the Lebanese Petroleum Administration; and Tristan Aspray, V.P. of Exploration, Europe, Russia, Caspian and Asia-Pacific/Middle East, ExxonMobil.

In Session Two after lunch, speakers and panelists will discuss E&P challenges of the region. Gerald Butt, Middle East editor for Petroleum Economist will moderate a panel of industry professionals including Bill Alashqar, senior V.P. of global sales and marketing at JP Global Digital; John Charalambides, director of international business development, Oceaneering; and Giuseppe Tese’, project director for the offshore Zohr EPCI fast-track project, Saipem SpA.

Day Two of EMGC 2019 will focus on the future of Eastern Mediterranean oil and gas. Dr. Sun Xiansheng, secretary general of the International Energy Forum will begin the day with a keynote address on international and regional energy cooperation and the emerging role of the Eastern Med. Other speakers will include Elfride Covarrubias Villegas, business development manager for Italy and the Mediterranean, DNV-GL; and Charles Morrison, partner at DLA Piper.

Following another coffee and networking break, Nicos Papakyriacou, partner at Deloitte’s Cyprus Oil & Gas Leader, will moderate a panel discussion on how Cyprus can fulfill its potential to develop into an O&G service center for the Eastern Mediterranean. Panelists will include Alessandro Barberis, V.P., Exploration, Eni; Yannis Grigoriou, CEO, Hellenic Petroleum; Yves Grosjean, general manager of Total E&P Cyprus; L. Gene Kornegay, country manager and V.P. at Noble Energy International; and Varnavas Theodossiou, lead country manager at ExxonMobil.