Energy Minister inaugurates NDT Conference/Exhibition

Manama, Sept. 14 (BNA): Minister of Energy Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, opened on Sunday evening, September 13, 2015 the 7th Middle East Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Conference and Exhibition 2015 in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the presence of a number of dignitaries and officials from the oil and gas industry, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) companies. Local and international researchers and engineers participated in the event, which was organized by the Bahrain Society of Engineers in cooperation with the Saudi Arabian section of the American Society for Non-destructive Testing, supported by National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), and sponsored by a number of national, Gulf and international oil companies. In his opening speech, Dr. Mirza urged all participants to take advantage of the wisdom of experts gathered at the event, benefit from the working papers presented during the conference sessions and look closely at the technology available in the fertile area. He said the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain was keen to host more specialized events in the oil sector due to its key role in sharing knowledge and experience among industry equals. The Minister said that non-destructive tests were a key part of oil industry and played a prominent role in ensuring safe and efficient equipment and assets. They helped safe operating of machinery, to detect faults at oil and gas sector facilities, safeguarded reliability, prevented installation failures and helped treatment plants perform in accordance with international standards and procedures. He called the event a unique opportunity to study NDT equipment, methods and procedures for detecting defects, regulations and law amendments and legislation. He said it also provided a chance to compare costs and consider eco-friendly alternative procedures for the oil and gas equipment, which operated in aggressive environments under severe stress conditions, withstanding extreme pressure and temperature variations. He added that according to recent reports by analysts, accident rates due to failures of oil and gas equipment and tools, especially pipes, was considerable, attributed to inability to replace equipment and tools owing to cash crunch, using poor quality tools, lack of effective technologies and technical diagnostics and poor application of available NDT means. He said he was glad that the conference would focus on such concerns. The Minister expressed happiness about the 16 pre-conference workshops this year to help NDT practitioners understand application of tests in various work environments for developing the industry in a sustainable manner. He pointed out that technical papers researchers presented during the conference sessions would help focus on future challenges of the oil and gas sector in the Middle East and pave the way for increasingly profitable exploration activities throughout the region. He said global petroleum industry encountered new market challenges, even as the oil and gas needs escalated with an increased demand for crude oil and gas and the growing market for refined products. These heightened the risks and need to ensure safe exploration, production and transportation. Innovative NDT techniques called for technological upgrades and high levels of professionalism. Stressing the need highly trained inspectors and engineers to take care of extensive networks in oil facilities and exploration fields, he said the promotion of a safety and integrity culture was the key. He said it was encouraging to see a number of service companies, including large companies, were helping in NDT and inspection activities, while regional service providers were capitalizing on special technical services that improved operational and technical capabilities. Dr. Mirza pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain had recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the founding of National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA). He said that the developments in the petroleum industry in Bahrain gained momentum with the establishment of NOGA by Royal Decree No. (63) in 2005, by His Majesty King Hamad in order to restructure the oil and gas sector to achieve higher levels of efficiency and transparency. NOGA was appointed as the only organization responsible for the oil and gas sector, which was a vital arm and key contributor of national economy. NOGA regulates the oil and gas industry and related businesses in Bahrain, and was committed to develop petroleum policies which promoted sustainable oil and gas supplies and global standards in occupational safety, health and environment. The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Conference Chairman Mohammad Al Salih and the event organizers, the Saudi Arabian section of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing and Bahrain Society of Engineers for working diligently to make it a great success. He also congratulated the organizing committee for making it a highly professional event, with wide participation. Terry Clausing, President of the American Society of Non-destructive Testing, Engineer Mas'oud Al Hermi, President Bahrain Society of Engineers and Mr. Mohammad Al-Saleh, Conference Chairman also spoke at the opening session.