Russian Energy Minister to Host Russian Day at Gastech, UK

The Russian Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, has confirmed that he will host a special ‘Russian Day’ at one of the world’s leading gas industry events in London this October.

The role of Russia as a key global supplier of natural gas will be examined during the day-long session, which also welcomes Novak’s Deputy, Pavel Fedorov, plus chief executives from petrochemical giant SIBUR and liquefied natural gas exporter, Sakhalin Energy.

Other leading government and state energy executives will also be present to explore future investment and financing issues in Russian energy and project development.

Mr Novak said: “I look forward to welcoming delegates and guests to the Gastech Conference and Exhibition in London. I believe that Gastech is an ideal opportunity and platform to assist international partners to co-operate more effectively, allowing the launch of new joint projects within the energy sector.

“This opportunity to come together will also help create favourable conditions for greater innovation and for the development of energy-saving technologies, in a safe environment in Europe and internationally. To every participant at Gastech, I wish great success in the energy sector.”

The ‘Russian Day’ is being developed in collaboration with the Energy Ministry amid growing political will in Russia to diversify the customer base and drive forwards liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to increase business with Asian gas consumers. President Vladimir Putin has reiterated commitments to making investment and private ownership of energy interests in Russia more accessible, pledging his administration will “not stand in the way” of opportunities for foreign investors to buy stakes in the national energy industry.

The Russian government is also currently closely involved in discussions with the European Commission in a bid to cement energy ties until 2050, with Russia the EU’s single largest natural gas supplier – but appreciates that growing demand from Asia means a commitment to delivering LNG export potential is also now a top priority.

With attention keenly focused on developments within Russia, Minister Novak’s leading role at the Gastech Conference & Exhibition (8 to 11 October in London) is certain to spark major interest among those attending.

Head of Content for Gastech, Gavin Sutcliffe, said: “The involvement of so many senior Russian energy figures, including Minister Novak, indicates how seriously the Russian government is responding to the growing demands for natural gas and LNG from other consumer regions outside the EU. Russia’s shift towards the potential privatisation of large swathes of state-owned energy assets has struck a global chord – opportunities such as those currently being discussed present enormous potential for private investors and foreign organisations alike.

“The attendance of some of the world’s most influential industry figures – including a wealth of international energy ministers, and chief executives of international and national oil companies – highlights the desire to engage in this debate. Gastech has long provided the platform for the global gas industry to shape and influence the direction the industry takes, and this year will prove no exception with an unprecedented line-up of speakers and VIPs.”

The Gastech exhibition and conference, to be held at the ExCeL, London, celebrates innovation and shares technological advances and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the energy industry calendar.

Mr Novak will be among a number of major energy industry figures speaking at the event, and will be joined by: Sir Frank Chapman, Chief Executive of BG Group, Helge Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer of Statoil, Dr Young-Myang Yang, Executive Vice President at KOGAS, Shigeru Muraki, Managing Executive Officer at Tokyo Gas Company, Abdelhamid Zerguine, Chief Executive of Sonatrach and Bill Dudley, President of Bechtel Corporation.

Around 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the conference and a further 10,000 visitors will visit the exhibition – all of which takes place at the Excel Centre in London’s Docklands, the leading venue for the London 2012 Olympics.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, October 01, 2012