Eight key industry trends to drive Gastech 2019 programme

The event will attract over 35 000 attendees, including 3500 conference delegates. Given that energy consumption is set to increase by a minimum of 25% by 2040, the gas industry is on the cusp of an exciting new period. No one energy source can meet this increased consumption, and the ‘dash for gas’ is set to continue as policy makers and end-users alike look to clean energy solutions to meet demand.

The eight key trends that are being put at the forefront of the conference programme are as follows:

• The new geopolitics of energy: the numerous and rapid changes in the energy sector mean organisations across the value chain are having to overcome challenges arising at the nexus of energy and geopolitics, such as the 2020 IMO Emissions Cap and the North American Shale Revolution.
• Security of demand: if the industry of old used to only compete for access to resources, the sector of the future will need to compete for access to customers. What are the new business models for a new energy landscape?
• Downstream evolving: with gas playing an increasingly strategic role as a fuel for industrial processes, it is certain to become a new era of technical partnerships and joint ventures. CO₂ recycling, the future energy supplier landscape and meeting the growing demand of ethane are just some of the topics that will be discussed in Houston.
• The emerging role of the trading houses: the recent rise in flexible supplies means more trading opportunities, as uncontracted cargoes need a home. In 2017, the number of LNG spot cargoes sold reached 1100 for the first time. Contracts, trading and pricing will all be put under the spotlight at Gastech 2019.
• Future proofing the operating model: companies need to innovate at scale to create intelligent organisations capable of competing for future customers. The technical programme will study advances in equipment and technology that can improve predictability, productivity and efficiency at all stages of the upstream value chain.
• Implementing a workforce and talent model fit for the future: workforce strategies to recruit, develop and retain the right talent will be analysed to support employees needing to work in new ways, develop new skills and work with a wider range of technologies.
• New commercial constructs to promote investment: the development of destination free and gas indexed US LNG exports challenges the traditional features of fixed delivery, oil-indexed supply agreements. Sellers need lasting agreements, but buyers now want shorter, flexible deals. What new business models can help, and what does the future energy supplier landscape look like?
• Greater industry wide collaboration: whilst the industry has been conservative in its approach and pace of adoption of partnership concepts that are widely proven elsewhere, the pivot to the 'new' in the industry will provide plenty of opportunities for greater industry wide collaboration when it comes to local content, HSSE and CSR.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/15012019/eight-key-industry-trends-to-drive-gastech-2019-programme/