The 13th Arab Oil and Gas Show (OGS 2006), the Arab world’s premier event for petroleum industry professionals, investors, equipment and technology providers, is looking to cater to a rapidly growing industrial gases sector in the region by hosting exhibitors with lateral and vertical product and process offerings for the sector. The move comes as OGS seeks to explore the growth potential of a global industrial gas industry worth US$36.13 billion in 2003, and expected to exceed US$51.87 billion by 2008.
“Industrial gases play a crucial role in global markets and are becoming increasingly relevant to the Middle East milieu due to rapid growth in manufacturing facilities in the region. This year, OGS will emphasize the industrial gas sector, with prominent exhibitors representing the industry and showcasing state of the art applications both vertically and laterally,” commented Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions, organisers of OGS.
Global markets for industrial gases account for more than $9 trillion of total global GDP, with estimates suggesting that over 50 percent of the entire global economy is serviced by industrial gases and related systems and technologies.
Arabian Industrial Gases Company, an established supplier of industrial and specialty gases, is one of the prominent exhibitors at the OGS. The company is looking to showcase innovative applications of industrial gases and regularly use the OGS platform to raise the profile of the many cutting edge applications of its industrial gases portfolio.
“Industrial gases have a myriad of uses, with a vast number of applications across industrial sectors. Industrial gas use can be considered a barometer for industrial growth much as steel consumption is an indicator for development. The Middle East is rapidly increasing its gas consumption in line with fast paced industrial development. The industrial gases sector is growing at a compound annual growth rate of above 12 percent in the region,” said Walid El-Kouatli, Managing Director, AIGCO.
AIGCO will showcase industrial gas use ranging from everyday applications, such as carbon dioxide shot blasting to remove odors and stains from sensitive fabrics, to specific topical and uses like refining crude oil to lower sulphur content.
“AIGCO will also bring a carbon dioxide sequestering technique to OGS 2006. The technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from factories, etc, and pumps the stored gas into oil wells to drive oil towards the surface while also enriching the hydrocarbon content of the earth. The method promotes ecologically-friendly extraction with the dual advantages of reducing industrial emissions and also replenishing the earth’s hydrocarbon content, leading to a truly sustainable long-term development cycle,” El-Kouatli added.
AIGCO is part of the Hunaidi Group of Companies that boasts an annual turnover in excess of US$ 115 million, holding US$ 300 million in assets and serving 5000 plus industrial customers in over 15 countries.
OGS 2006 will be held from September 10 to 12 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre with support from the UAE Ministry of Energy.
