The Energy Workforce Middle East Chapter held its annual meeting in Dubai on October 5, featuring discussions on collaboration regarding MENA region-specific challenges and opportunities during the 2023 ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference.
The event began with opening remarks delivered by Energy Workforce President Molly Determan and Middle East Chapter Chair Daniel Watson, Energy Alloys. U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney gave a welcome address to the attendees.
Regional Outlook for Energy Services
Ambassador Ratney shared insights into the evolving relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the pivotal role of energy in shaping this partnership. He highlighted increasing investments from both government and private sectors in fostering innovation between the two nations.
The audience heard a market outlook from David Rabley, Accenture. Rabley discussed how the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are uniquely positioned to support resilience in the core oil and gas sector while simultaneously driving reinvention in low- and zero-carbon energy initiatives. He pointed out that growth prospects in the oil and gas industry are shifting toward the low- and zero-carbon segments.
Amit Deshpande, Cummins Arabia, M. Belgacem Merad, Weatherford and Nabil Issa, King & Spalding, discussed Regional ICV Programs & Emiratization. The panel deliberated on how in-country value programs serve as essential components of economic diversification in each country, with variations in the sectors of focus. Panelists emphasized the importance of successful partnerships as a critical factor in regional engagement and shared examples with the attendees.
Energy Workforce thanks the chapter meeting supporting organizations, Bilateral Chamber of Commerce and King & Spalding, as well as strategic partners Chevron, NexTier and SLB.
THANK YOU
Golf Tournament & Networking
To conclude the week, the chapter hosted its third annual golf tournament at the Trump Dubai Golf Club, which proved to be a fantastic opportunity for members to connect with peers and customers. Energy Workforce would like to thank DistributionNOW, Cummins Arabia, LoneStar Group, NOV, and SPM Oil & Gas, as well as equipment partners Precision Golf, Callaway and Travis Mathew, for their support in making this event a resounding success.
Teams competed in a four-person scramble with prizes awarded in the putting competition and hole prizes throughout the day. The tournament concluded with a networking dinner and the opportunity for members to connect with peers and their customers.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Maria Suarez-Simmons, Senior Director Energy Policy, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
