GDA conference sheds light on downstream challenges, opportunities

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Experts at the ongoing GDA International Downstream Conference and Exhibition yesterday called for building a research centre as they mulled ways to overcome challenges and unlock potential opportunities in the sector at Exhibition World Bahrain.

“It’s a necessity to build a research centre in the area,” said Afaf Zainalabedin, the Acting Deputy Chief Executive of Corporate Support and Chief Financial Officer at BAPCO, while addressing a panel discussion at the GDA International Downstream conference and exhibition.

Zainalabedin also stressed the need for accelerating innovation.

“The majority of young innovators desire to think outside the box,” she said, adding, “They conduct a lot of data-based research.”

“Several high-profile employees in BAPCO, for instance, use robots to detect when an unplanned shutdown occurs in a power plant,” pointed out Zainalabedin.

The three-day conference on the theme “Downstream Turning Points: Capitalizing on Transformations” has the participation of more than 121 world-class speakers and professionals from over 20 nations around the globe.

Topics of discussion include energy, digitization, integration, and innovation and technology.

Downstream processes involve converting oil and gas into the finished product. These include refining crude oil into gasoline, natural gas liquids, diesel, and other energy sources.

The conference that ends today highlights global business challenges, and aims at sharing best practices, and unlocking potential opportunities through collaboration and partnerships.

Yahya A. Abushal, the CEO of Sadara Chemical Company, spoke about boosting collaborations in the sector, saying that companies cannot work in isolation as what happens in China and Europe will also affect them.

“Companies had to alter their strategy after the pandemic, if they wanted to avoid getting caught up in the primary energy sector transformation.”

Meanwhile, Sultan Albigishi, Senior Vice President of Projects and Technical ADNOC Refining, stated that most businesses in the area have a clear strategy for overcoming challenges.

Lummus Technology CEO, Leon de Bruyn, told The Daily Tribune that they have been “working towards these aims since 2017 when the first project was launched in Korea.

“I think the result can be cultivated very soon. “It’s also a fantastic opportunity to network with experts.”

Technical sessions were also held during the conference, allowing experts from various fields to share their knowledge and insights.