The 20th World Petroleum Congress Meetings Kick Off

Doha, December 05 (QNA) - The meetings of the 20th World Petroleum Congress kicked off at Qatar National Convention Center on Monday with presence of more than 5000 participants from around the world, including more than 900 participants from Qatar, and 35 ministers from countries active in the petroleum industry. The conference will hold 18 ministerial sessions in addition to 11 main sessions to be held twice a day and attended by all participants. They will addressed by heads of major petroleum firms. 16 special session will also be held to discuss emerging topics like shale gas, which techniques and uses have been developed recently, as well as the global financial crisis and others. More 11 special sessions dealing with best practices in the oil sector will also be held by companies which have better practices than others, or of successful experiences both in the administration or the technical aspects. The conference will witness an important session between the International Energy Agency as a representative of consumers, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as a representative of the producers. The session will tackle the concerns of both sides. Some 100 out of 2000 paper were selected to be presented to the Conference and to be reviewed during the seminars that will be organized through five axes. There will also be about 14 round tables that will witness discussions between corporations leaders on the petroleum industry. Other 186 were also selected in order to be used in the form of posters in the exhibition provided their owners. The 20th World Petroleum Congress, held regularly every three years, is considered the largest event and the most diverse in the field of oil for the level of the participants and decision-makers. It is also the largest in light of its accompanying exhibition. It is hosted by the Middle East for the first time in its history. (QNA)