Convening over oil and gas

One of Asia's largest oil and gas events, Petrotech, will be held in New Delhi between December 5 and 7 this year. 'Hydrocarbons to fuel the future: Choices and challenges' is the theme of the event.
"As the prime showcase of India's hydrocarbon sector, Petrotech-2016 is already attracting technologists, scientists, policy makers, management experts, entrepreneurs, service providers and vendors from countries and companies worldwide," says Verghese Cherian, Director (HR), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), which is organising the event this year. "We aim to put together a spectacular value-added 12th edition, which will be a bigger conference and larger exhibition in Delhi than the previous editions."
Rajesh Ahuja, Executive Director, IOCL, who is also the Convenor of Petrotech-2016, says the event has grown rapidly since its first edition. "When we started in 1995, about 1,500 delegates from a dozen countries participated in the event," he notes. "This time, we are targeting 6,000 delegates from 50 countries."
The Petrotech series of international oil and gas conference and exhibition is a biennial platform for national and international experts in the oil gas industry to exchange views and share knowledge, expertise and experiences. This year's event is being organised by Indian Oil, which alternates with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in staging the mega events.
"India being a booming economy, and with the Prime Minister creating a novel brand image across the globe, it has fascinated many international players," says Cherian. "They are keen to participate and partake in this new edition of Petrotech as we are an emerging nation with strong demands for energy at all levels of our growth, be it the lowly farming sector or the increasing industrial sector."
As the Indian economy flourishes, the country is set to witness an upswing in energy demand. Cherian says that the rising per capita income, the multifarious initiatives to promote economic growth, infrastructure development, and the drive towards 'Make in India' are expected to boost the country's energy demand in a big way.
"The world is indeed taking note and watching with interest as the discourse unfolds on a range of hot topics such as clean energy, rising energy demand, smart cities, etc," he adds. "Solar energy is being projected in a big way across the globe and so is India as this energy from the sun is both sustainable and infinite."
Over the years, Petrotech has garnered an enviable reputation in international circles as one of the most coveted forums for the global hydrocarbon industry. With a plethora of topics and technical sessions, the 2016 edition will sow the seeds of a vibrant future and engage participants in a memorable and eventful conference, adds Cherian.
"India's oil and gas sector is facing a major talent challenge from competing sectors that could potentially affect its ability to operate and grow," he adds. To increase awareness of the challenges in the oil and gas sector among engineering graduates, a special Youth Forum is being organised to showcase opportunities in the sector.
Hike in refining capacity
REFINING has been one of the biggest success stories in the Indian economy. About 15 years ago, India had to import refined products, but today it has become a net exporter.
The country's refining capacity has gone up to 240 million tonnes and the consumption of products - petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc. - is 180 million tonnes. The challenge is in crude oil production; India produces just 40 million tonnes of crude oil.
Says B. Ashok, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL): "GDP and population expansion, coupled with India's low per capita energy consumption, will drive massive fuel growth. Oil will continue to feature prominently in India's energy mix even in 2040, despite rapid growth in renewable sources."
Indian Oil is bullish on its latest high-complexity refinery at Paradip, which will significantly improve the refining competitiveness of the company and India. The chairman of IOCL also foresees a paradigm shift in retailing as competitions shifts to the thriving rural hinterlands.
With all its brownfield expansions in line, Indian Oil would cross 100-million-tonne mark in about six years. It is also planning to set up a world-scale refinery in the west coast and all three state-owned refiners - Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum - will jointly establish the refinery.
Indian Oil is also present in both domestic and overseas exploration and production projects. "Overseas, we have stake in three producing states - one is a gas field at British Columbia where we have a 10 per cent stake. It is a 12-mt LNG project. We have some small production in Venezuela and the US. We have recently acquired stake in Russian assets."
Over the next few years, the company aims to get 10 per cent of its oil from its own resources.
 
 

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