Russian Ministry of Energy had a meeting about preparations for Neftegaz 2016 and the National Oil and Gas Forum

On November 13 the Russian Ministry of Energy hosted a meeting moderated by Russian Deputy Minister of Energy Kirill Molodtsov devoted to preparations for the two key events of the oil and gas industry, the 16th edition of the Neftegaz International Exhibition and the 3rd edition of the National Oil and Gas Forum. The meeting participants included heads of more than 100 leading Russian petroleum companies who saw a detailed presentation of Neftegaz 2016 and the National Oil and Gas Forum.

Deputy Minister of Energy Kirill Molodtsov said that the Ministry intended to make the National Oil and Gas Industry Forum the main event of the industry. He also emphasized that it would be the first time that the forum would be co-located with the Neftegaz International Exhibition. Deputy Minister believes that these major events will complement each other and have a perfect synergy effect.

“I confirm that our aim is to make the forum a real nationwide event to better evaluate the current situation in the industry. It is essential to make it a platform to exchange experience, evaluate results and set clear tasks to facilitate the industry’s development,” said Mr Molodtsov.

As for the Neftegaz product sectors, Mr Molodtsov encouraged the organizers to focus on high technologies. “It is important to understand the high technologies should be a priority for both the exhibition and forum,” summed up Deputy Minister.

President of the Union of Oil and Gas Producers of Russia Genadiy Shmal addressed the meeting to say that the decision to co-locate the National Oil and Gas Forum and Neftegaz was definitely the right one. “It will give us the best opportunity to assess the state of the industry,” said Mr Shmal.

He also drew attention to the most relevant problems of oil and gas industry. Mr Shmal believes that Russia should not rely on oil and gas production as the dominating driver of its economy. Now the precedence should be given to petrochemistry like it has already happened in China and the USA.

Deputy General Director of Expocentre ZAO Mikhail Tolkachev told about preparations for the Neftegaz International Exhibition.

“The 16th edition of Neftegaz will run in three largest pavilions of Expocentre Fairgrounds. We are working to attract about 1,000 exhibitors from 33 countries to occupy at least 56,000 sq m. We expect to see 30,000 professional visitors at the very least,” said Mr Tolkachev.

As of today several major companies have confirmed their participation. They are Tatneft, Transneft, Zarubezhneft, Gazprom Neft, and Gazprom Avtomatizatsiya. Gazprom, Bashneft, Lukoil, and Surgutneftegaz are also invited.

As for foreign participants, the majority of exhibitors come from Germany, the USA, and the UK. Companies from China are especially active.  Companies from the Czech Republic and Finland are also interested in participating.

After the presentation, representatives of oil and gas companies suggested topics to be discussed during associated events of Neftegaz and the forum.

Neftegaz 2016 and the 3rd National Oil and Gas Congress will run at Expocentre Fairgrounds on 18-21 April and 19-20 April 2016 respectively.