The Mediterranean Offshore Conference and Exhibition (MOC) is bracing future leaders and inspiring them to cultivate the oil and gas industry, supporting industry experts and strategic partners to ensure the highest level of operational efficiency, Osama El Bakly, Chairman Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) and Chairman of MOC 2019, said during his opening speech.

El Bakly added that the MOC attracts major national oil companies (NOCs) as well as international oil companies (IOCs) to provide a unique opportunity for participants to exchange experiences, knowledge, and global technologies while studying their application in the oil and gas industry.

For his part, Abdel Aziz Konsowa, Governor of Alexandria, explained that Alexandria seeks to create an investment climate for the petroleum sector, whereas 58% of petroleum and petrochemicals companies exist there.

The governor pointed out that the conference brings the Mediterranean basin countries together with Ravenna, bridging cultures and enhancing cooperation.

“I am delighted to join you in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the MOC, and we are proud to cooperate with the Egyptian petroleum sector,” Innocenzo Titone, Chairman of the Offshore Mediterranean Conference 2019 (OMC), said.

“The Eastern Mediterranean region has become one of the most prominent gas production areas in light of the recent regional discoveries, especially after Egypt’s Zohr was put in the production map, which has helped the country to meet the local demand and export gas once again. It also qualifies Egypt to become a regional gas hub for oil and gas,” Titone added.

Titone concluded in his speech that Ravenna will host the next edition of the OMC conference in March 2021.

On the other hand, Demetris Fessas, Acting General Manager at Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company, expressed his pride in participating and representing his country in MOC, noting that the conference is a great opportunity to connect cultures and exchange views on oil and gas challenges as well as opportunities. The Mediterranean has become an important region for the whole world, he said.

He pointed out that Greece intends to launch the Eastern Mediterranean Offshore Conference & Exhibition (EMC), which will be held in Nicosia in April 2020, as an associate conference for the two Mediterranean conferences organized by Egypt and Italy in order to enrich regional cooperation.