The World Economic Forum Study Highlights Energy Security Infrastructure Concerns in the MENA Region

DUBAI, UAE, November 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy security is a key risk for growth and development in the MENA region, according to a corporate risk study by the World Economic Forum. The report, conducted in collaboration with Oliver Wyman Management Consultancy, identifies the region's highly energy intensive growth and underinvestment in infrastructure as mutually reinforcing chronic risks. It recommends integrated management strategies for businesses and governments within the MENA countries to increase their system's resilience.

"There are around 30 new refinery projects to be completed by 2013 (50% of them are in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran). With oil prices showing signs of revival, the security market has never been more critical. Moreover, in line with the UAE Government's vision of generating 7% of electricity from renewable sources, huge investments are planned in the area of alternative energy and therefore forming a critical target to terrorists," according to Sasidharan Chandran, Civil Security Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

The International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC) is hosting the 5th Annual Security for Energy Infrastructure Summit that will take place at Le Royal Meridien in Abu Dhabi from 12 to 15 December 2010. The conference will focus exclusively on advanced strategies to optimize security for energy infrastructure and to mitigate threats in the MENA region. Participants include key experts from leading oil and gas operators, solution providers, government bodies and authorities, including: Dubai Petroleum, Bahrain Ministry of Electricity and Water, Reliance Industries Ltd, GASCO, ENOC and National Security Institute amongst others.

The summit will address the latest threats and define the capabilities needed to enhance security for energy infrastructure through a series of country briefings and industry updates. Samir Raslan, Former General Manager Industrial Security at Saudi Aramco will be providing an overview of the MENA region's latest security threats. H.S. Pannu, Group President, Corporate Security & Vigilance at Reliance Industries Ltd., will be delivering a case study on the successful implementation of security planning and vigilance in India.

Fatma Ismail, Security Team Leader at Dubai Petroleum and one of the expert speakers at the summit, stressed the importance of the topic: "Security used to be low profile in an organization, due to the stability in the Middle East. After the events of 9/11, security awareness has raised worldwide and particularly in the Middle East. As an organization we have to protect our assets to the highest level in a manner that it will not hamper our daily operations."

Furthermore, the summit will discuss industry standards and highlight the important role government authorities play in providing security for the energy infrastructure. Accordingly, Peter Darcy, Head of National Security Institute at The Ministry of Interior in Abu Dhabi, will deliver a paper on the regulatory advances the UAE has made in getting private security recognized by the UN.

About IQPC Middle East:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a formidable reputation for quality and value. During this time, the Middle East's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has connected international expertise with regional and local leaders.

About Oil & Gas IQ:

Oil & Gas IQ provides over 100 technical and strategic events across Europe, Asia, the US and the Middle East every year, educating almost 5,000 high-level executives annually. Through our website, e-newsletter and conferences we seek to keep the industry in the know about the latest issues that affect your bottom line. Our members and delegates benefit from a culmination of 100% industry research and practical information and tools that solve critical everyday business problems.

For more details regarding the event contact [email protected], call Olivia Modisakeng, +971-4-364-2975 or visit the website at http://www.energysecurityme.com

SOURCE IQPC Middle East