ISA Automation Conference Opens in Doha

Doha, December 09 (QNA) - Under the patronage of HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP), the International Society of Automation (ISA) opens today the ISA Automation Conference 2012 in Doha, marking the first time ever that the event is held in the Middle East region. The two-day conference was inaugurated today at the Radisson Blu Hotel by Ahmad Saif Ahmad Al-Sulaiti, Operations Manager-Dukhan Fields, on behalf of Said Mubarak Said Al-Mohannadi, Director Operations of QP. Also present during the inauguration ceremony were top ISA officials, including Patrick Gouhi, Executive Director and CEO; Leo Staples, ISA President 2011; and Jean Pierre Hauet, Vice President. In his keynote address, Al-Sulaiti said: "I am proud that the State of Qatar has been selected to host this year s ISA Automation Conference. In view of Qatar's fast-growing economy and the ongoing major developments in the use of automation systems in the oil & gas, petrochemical and energy industries, it is certainly fitting that this regional event for automation professionals in Europe, Africa and the Middle East is being held for the first time here in Doha." This year's ISA Automation Conference has attracted the participation of over 300 delegates from within Qatar and other parts of the world, including France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Ireland, UK, the US, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The local delegates represent a wide range of major companies, including QP, RasGas, Qatargas, Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO), Qatar Fuel Additives Company (QAFAC), Qatar Chemical Company (Q-Chem), Oryx GTL, Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO), Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC), Dolphin Energy and Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum). Founded in 1945, the ISA is a non-profit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping its over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in North Carolina, USA, the ISA is primarily involved in developing standards, certifying industry professionals, and providing education and training for automation professionals. (QNA)