World Gas Conference on the horizon

Between 1 - 5 June this year, Paris will host the global gas community at the 26^th World Gas Conference. The gathering has already attracted participation from more than 70 countries and expects to welcome over 4000 senior delegates attending 70 conference sessions spanning all aspects of this critically important industry.

At a pivotal point for the global energy sector, the conference will address the major gas industry challenges facing the world today, including sustainability of supplies, the role of gas as a transition fuel, the development and application of new technologies and progress towards a comprehensive global energy mix. The triennial event has already drawn a significant following for 2015, with a record number of abstracts received (more than doubling those gathered for the 2012 World Gas Conference), and support from the highest ranks of the gas industry.

More than 500 speakers have already been confirmed and the conference programme continues to develop to ensure that it addresses the most pressing issues. Confirmed speakers include: Patrick Pouyanne, Chief Executive Officer, TOTAL; Gerard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of GDF SUEZ; Sheikh Khalid Khalifa Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer, Qatargas; Ben Van Beurden, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell plc; Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, Chief Executive Officer, RasGas Company Limited; and Alexey Miller, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gazprom.

The event will set in context the industry's challenges and opportunities both in the global energy mix and across wider social and economic development issues. This is especially important given the increasing demand for cleaner energy and the crucial importance of natural gas not only as a transition fuel but the foundation for stable, long-term energy security.

Jerome Ferrier, President of the IGU, said: "2015 will be an unprecedented year for the global gas industry and for the French energy sector.
The World Gas Conference represents a rare opportunity for the global sector leadership to set out its ambitions for the gas industry and, more crucially, the role it can play in meeting the world's most urgent development issues.

"Natural gas can increase energy market stability, reduce CO2 emissions and enhance the sustainability of supplies for communities around the world. But achieving this requires investment, innovation and public support. In 2015, through the World Gas Conference and COP 21, we have the opportunity to make progress against all of these crucial objectives."

The conference will feature discussions and debates on some of the most pressing issues and solutions within the gas industry today, including:

• Natural gas as a core pillar for a sustainable future of the planet.
• Gas, renewables and electricity.
• Natural gas as a growth factor for new economies.
• Human Capital for the future of the gas industry.

Sponsors of the event include Total, GDF SUEZ, Qatar Gas, Shell, RasGas, Gazprom and Chevron.

With a comprehensive 45000 m² exhibition space, the 26^th World Gas Conference will showcase exhibitors and sponsors from across the industry, bringing together the latest technologies, industry solutions and lessons learned from tried and tested practices.

As the event draws closer, the early registration discount comes to an end on 16 January. The early discount is €480 per delegate place and bookings can be made on the official event website.

Edited from various sources by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/16012015/world-gas-conference-on-the-horizon-059/