Top experts to converge for Pipeline Conference

Manama: The Pipeline Operations and Management Middle East (POMME) Conference and Exhibition will be held in Bahrain from April 11 to April 14, 2016, it was announced yesterday.

A conference programme featuring 75 papers from 17 countries has been announced for the event, which will be held under the patronage of Minister of Energy Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza. Dr. Mirza will formally open the event at a Plenary Session on April 12.

Established as a definitive congress on pipeline technology and management in the Gulf, the  conference has simultaneous tracks of technical programme which include: Planning, design, construction and materials, Operations and maintenance best practices, repair and rehabilitation, Asset integrity management, inspection and cathodic protection and Automation and control, leak detection.

“We expect to have the new pipeline network opened in the first quarter of 2018, and dismantling of the existing pipelines is expected to begin in the second half of 2018, which will depend on contractors selected,” Dr. Mirza said while updating the Parliament.

Dr. Mirza said engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project would be awarded in August.

With this development in context, the pipeline conference is being held in Bahrain from April 11 to 14, 2016, bringing experts together from within and outside the region to discuss the latest technologies and concepts for maintaining and operating oil and gas pipelines in the most efficient, cost-effective, and professional manner. This, however, is done taking account the environmental and other community concerns.

The conference will begin on April 11 with six topical workshops requiring separate registration. The main conference programme will begin on April 12. 

An associated technical exhibition will feature leading service and solutions providers, who will showcase and promote best practices in pipeline operations and management.

The exhibition will open at 10am on April 12 and will be held until 1.30pm on April 14, and will host the latest developments in the oil and gas sector.

The three-and-a-half-day conference, held at Bahrain’s Gulf Convention Centre, has previously drawn more than 1,100 industry professionals from 33 countries.

Saudi Aramco Pipelines Department’s general manager Mohammad Sultan Al-Qahtani said the event provided a great opportunity for pipeliners to gather and share knowledge, who should overcome the many challenges collaboratively.

POMME Conference and Exhibition is organised by Tiratsoo Technical (a division of Great Southern Press) and Clarion Technical Conferences, in association with Global Webb Energy Consultants.

Platinum Elite Sponsor Saudi Aramco, and Silver Sponsors Rosen, ClockSpring, Bapco and Al Qaryan Group support the event.