Panel Sessions

Change is the only constant that we all accept in a world that has become predictably unpredictable. Meanwhile, ‘black swan’ events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, or last year’s geopolitical instability, have served to accelerate the pace of change to speeds hitherto considered unimaginable.

As oil and gas markets decouple from an ever-worsening broader economic climate, and renewed demands for ‘energy security’ compete with the long-standing desire to move to cleaner energy resources with minimal environmental impact and reduced carbon footprint, hydrocarbon producers find themselves having to be more agile, versatile and responsive to a fast-evolving operational environment.

In response to these developments our mindset is shifting. Globally, the oil & gas industry has set about transforming its operations by harnessing digital technologies to automate and improve efficiency, sustainability and safety. Indeed, many operating and service companies have been progressing by applying technologies such as AI, machine learning and robotics into their daily operations.

This executive plenary session shall discuss the headline theme of the conference by elaborating on the future of energy industry as stakeholders join forces to adapt to the simultaneous changes taking place around us. The session shall serve as a high-level opener: peeling away the layers that overlay the complexities involved. The outcome of these most topical discussions will be to provide actionable pathways that enable the industry and society at-large to benefit from the changes and upheaval experienced in today’s post-pandemic world. Add to that understanding the dynamic interplay between energy insecurity, the advent of digitalization, and the desire to reduce carbon footprints.