AIPN Hosts Conference on The Middle East and Global Energy – A Fresh Perspective

September 26-29, Doha, Qatar

HOUSTON, Monday, July 12th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global energy developments, as well as developments in the Middle East, will be discussed by industry leaders, experts and advisors at the AIPN International Conference September 26-29 in Doha, Qatar. The two and one-half day program will include top oil and gas executives from NOCs and IOCs including Qatar Petroleum, Statoil, ConocoPhillips ExxonMobil and Shell who will provide a fresh perspective of this dynamic, growing and diversified region as well as discuss how the recovering global economy and unconventional resources are changing the energy industry.

“Oil prices are 'perfect' or try 'ideal,' -- not my words but adjectives used by Saudi Arabian Energy and Mines Minister Ali al-Naimi whenever he is asked to comment on oil prices,” said Kate Dourian, Middle East Editor of Platts. “But while a range of $70-$80 per barrel might be ideal for the Saudis, is it enough for Iran, Nigeria or Venezuela? How much control do producers really have over oil prices? And is it speculation that is driving prices or is it a market looking into the future and seeing a less-than-perfect energy picture of supply shortages and a possible new price spike?”

Issues related to the role of the Middle East as global energy supplier, challenges facing the gas sector, and other timely topics such as open-sea piracy and role of Iraq as energy supplier, will be discussed by Dourian and other globally-recognized speakers including Marina Chiarugi and Professor Daniele Archibugi, Italian National Research Council and Valérie Marcel, Chatham House.

“The international community's struggle against piracy at sea has shown that massive military efforts are rather unfruitful and a common strategy needs to be developed to assure the prosecution of suspected pirates,” said Chiarugi. Experts in this field will discuss the determinants of the increase in piracy, how this is affecting navigation in a key area such as the Gulf of Aden, and the responses that the business community and policy makers can provide to improve the security of trade.

The much-anticipated event, organized by the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), is held under the patronage of His Excellency Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry.

With Doha, the 2010 Arab Cultural Capital of the World, as its backdrop, the conference promises to be an insightful and productive event for international negotiators, bankers, attorneys and deal makers.

For additional information and online registration, please visit www.aipn.org.

About AIPN (http://www.aipn.org)

The AIPN is a not-for-profit association founded in 1981 to enhance the professionalism of international energy negotiators by providing valuable tools, educational programs and networking opportunities to its 2,800 members, located in more than 80 countries.

For media enquiries, please contact:

AIPN
Angelique Vesey,

+1-281-558-7715 x 105
Executive Director
angelique@aipn.org