OAPEC Activities
16
Volume
45
Issue
3
petrochemical products to international markets.
The Secretary General also underscored the
important developments in the petrochemicals
industry in the member countries in the past
two decades. He pointed out to the keenness
of OAPEC members on cooperating with global
international companies with advanced technology
by establishing joint ventures and cooperating in
scientific research and development.
He concluded his speech by thanking their
excellencies the ministers of petroleum, oil, and
energy in OAPEC member countries for responding
to the invitation by participating with large
numbers of technical specialists in this conference.
Al Naqi also extended thanks to all participating
authorities, institutions, speakers and participants,
for their presence and contributions. He lauded and
thanked all members of the organising committee
at OAPEC Secretariat General, JCCP, and KISR for
their efforts in preparing for and organising this
conference.
At the end of the opening ceremony, HE Al Naqi
handed out trophies to HE Sheikh Talal Al Athbi, Oil
Ministry’s ActingUndersecretary and theMinister’s
representative, HE Takashi Ashiki, Ambassador of
Japan to the State of Kuwait; HE Tsuyoshi Nakai,
CEO of Japan Cooperation Centre Petroleum
(JCCP); and Dr Abdul Atheem Maarafi on behalf
of Dr Mina Maarafi the Head of KISR’s Petroleum
Research and Studies Centre, in recognition of
their efforts in organising and supporting the
conference activities. Also, souvenirs have been
exchanged between the conference organisers
and sponsors.
Conference Key Topics
The conference consisted of 5 sessions spread
over 2 days. Day 3 was allocated for field visit at
KISR’s Petroleum Research and Studies Centre. 20
specialised papers were presented at the technical
sessions on:
• Overview on the refining industry in the Arab
countries and the world
• Downstream industry challenges in the Arab
countries and the world
• Measures
for
improving
operational
performance in downstream industries
• Success factors for projects on improving
operational performance in downstream
industries
• Role of scientific research in improving
operational performance and profitability in
downstream industries
• Practical examples on achieving operational
excellence in downstream industries
• Role of scientific research in improving the
performanceof the refining andpetrochemicals
industries
• Case studies of successful refining and
petrochemicals development projects
Technical Papers
Dr Samir Al Kareish, Director of OAPEC’s
Technical Affairs Department, opened the first
technical session by summing up the conference
goals, importance, and key topics. OAPEC presented
3 technical papers, the first by Dr Al Kareish on
the status quo of the refining and petrochemicals
industry in the Arab countries in terms of refining