Energy Minister opens MEHOC2015

Manama, Nov. 25 (BNA): Energy Minister and National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA)'s Chairman Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza inaugurated today the Middle East Heavy Oil Congress (MEHOC2015) here in Manama in the presence of top executives from leading international and Gulf oil and industrial companies, together with researchers, engineers and experts. The event was organised by DMG Events Company in association with the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), Saudi Aramco, Bapco, Tatweer Petroleum , and other major oil firms. In his opening speech, the minister welcomed the attendees to the conference, expressing his delight at the Kingdom of Bahrain's hosting this Conference/Fair for the first time. Minister Dr. Mirza said over the past three years the Middle East region has witnessed an increase in heavy oil extraction activities estimated at 970 billion barrels mostly in undeveloped areas. There are a host of challenges facing the Middle East region in view of the nature of unharmonious rock whereas technological development remains the key factor to benefiting from unconventional resources, he revealed.