Azerbaijan, Baku, June 5 / Trend E. Tariverdiyeva /
British Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the opening of the 19th Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"On behalf of Her Majesty's Government, I would like to congratulate His Excellency President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 19th Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference," he said.
"Azerbaijan is at the heart of a region whose energy resources will play a vital role in the world economy in the years to come," he added. "Azerbaijan has been playing a central and active part in unlocking those resources for the benefit of all. The landmark Inter Governmental Agreement negotiated late last year, coupled with the announcement of work towards the Trans Anatolian Pipeline for the transport of Shah Deniz gas to Europe, will help make the Southern Gas Corridor a reality. This marks a step change in the diversification of European energy supplies. It is also important to enabling development of the region's hydrocarbon reserves. We are delighted that BP, the largest single foreign investor in Azerbaijan, has been so closely involved."
"There is still much hard work to do on this project, and many others waiting in the wings. I wish all those involved success in their efforts to provide a stable source of energy for the future. I wish all participants in this year's Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition a successful week.''
The 19th Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference, the Caspian Region's largest oil and gas exhibition, will take place from June 5 to 8, 2012 at the Baku Expo Centre in Azerbaijan, Iteca Caspian company said Monday in a statement.
High-profiled leaders in attendance will include Alexander Khetaguri, Ministry of Energy of Georgia; Arvidas Sekmokas, Minister of Energy of Lithuania; and Rostan Ghasemi, Minister of Petroleum of Iran. 304 companies from 34 countries have confirmed their participation, including national groups from the UK, Germany, China and Russia. 30% of this year's exhibitors are first time participants, including a host of Vietnamese companies. 60% of the exhibition space will be taken up by international exhibitors.
Exhibitors will showcase the latest developments in oil and gas equipment and innovative extraction, transportation technology and storage systems. Current and future local and international oil and gas projects will also be presented.
The 19th Caspian Oil & Gas Conference will also take place alongside the exhibition on 6 June 2012. 550 delegates are expected to attend. Key topics will include regional cooperation, ensuring energy supply, the development of local and international oil and gas infrastructure projects as well as alternative energy.
Senior managers from SOCAR, BP, RWE and OMV are among the esteemed list of conference speakers.
A business programme will also form part of Caspian Oil and Gas. It will feature a series of seminars focusing on relevant issues for oil and gas companies, such as analysis technology and leading pump and generator technology.
For up-to-date information, visit www.cog.az and www.oilgasconference.az.
Caspian Oil & Gas is officially supported by the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event is organised by ITE Group plc and Iteca Caspian, with support from ITE's international partners - ITE Moscow, EUF (Turkey), GiMA (Germany), ITE China and ITE Gulf (Dubai).
Sponsors for the Caspian Oil and Gas include: BP Azerbaijan (General Sponsor), State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and Andrade Gutierrez (Gold Sponsors), Caspian Geophysical, Conoco Phillips, Cross Caspian Oil and Gas Logistics, Det Norske Veritas, Ernst & Young, IGI POSEIDON S.A., Inpex Corporation, McDermott Caspian Contractors, MESC, Nobel Oil LTD, OMV Aktiengesellschaft, RWE, Statoil, Salans, TAP, Total E&P Azerbaijan, Velosi and Vietnam Oil & Gas Group (Petrovietnam).
Partners of Caspian Oil and Gas include Azerfon LLC, AZAL, Greenwich Travel Club, Hilton Baku and Caucas Point Hotel.