Advancing the role of gas and LNG in the global energy mix

G. Sutcliffe,Head of Conference & Governing Body, Gastech

Gastech is the largest and most important business and technology event for the natural gas and LNG sector, creating a global platform to address and discuss the latest challenges faced in Asia and on a wider international scale. The 2015 Gastech event was held in Singapore, the center of technical and commercial excellence of Southeast Asia. While many key emerging markets from Southeast Asia are now seeking more natural gas and LNG infrastructure and capacity, North Asia continues to dominate global gas and LNG demand.

The 2017 Gastech Exhibition & Conference, the largest global gas and LNG event of the year, is moving to Japan for the first time. The event will be held April 4–7 in Chiba/Tokyo (FIG. 1), and is being hosted by the Japan Gastech Consortium. Leading the examination and debate around the future for gas and LNG, the consortium comprises leading representation of the entire gas and LNG value chain, from upstream investors, project engineers, shipbuilders, traders, technology leaders and lawyers, through to end-users and consumers.

FIG. 1. The Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex, the site of Gastech 2017, is located in the Chiba Prefecture along the shores of Tokyo Bay.

“It is incredibly exciting to be bringing Gastech to Japan—the world’s largest LNG customer—because there are so many unknowns at play as we move into 2017,” says Gavin Sutcliffe, Head of Conference & Governing Body, Gastech. “We don’t quite know what bounce we might see with LNG pricing in the short to medium term, and everyone is keen to see how major Japanese buyers, such as JERA and Tokyo Gas, are going to develop new buying partnerships. The way LNG is being traded as a global commodity is also evolving the industry in ways we have not seen before. Gastech is going to be the epicenter for so many people to come together and drive these changes in our industry.”

The Japan Gastech Consortium is made up of 10 of Japan’s leading energy companies, including: Tokyo Gas, JERA, Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsui & Co., INPEX, ITOCHU, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (JAPEX), JX Nippon Oil & Energy, Marubeni Corp. and Sumitomo Corp.

The consortium is being joined by renowned IOCs; NOCs; governments; legal, banking and financial institutions; marketing and trading organizations; EPCs; shipping and technology companies; trade bodies and associations; and many others.

“Having 10 major Japanese energy stakeholders hosting Gastech is truly unique. The collective investment these companies make across the natural gas and LNG value chain is just mind-boggling, and our international clients and stakeholders are thrilled to be arriving in Japan for Gastech 2017,” Mr. Sutcliffe says. “This country is one of the true ‘founding nations’ behind the entire LNG trade as we know it. Without Japan, LNG would not have become the trillion-dollar global industry it is today.”

Bringing the international energy ecosystem to the world’s number-one consumer of LNG and leading global technology hub is an exciting and unique opportunity for the gas market. Japan’s future energy security is a matter of national priority, and the challenging decisions regarding the fuels the country chooses are essential.

The need to reengage and renegotiate major, long-term LNG and gas contracts over the next few years will help Japanese customers drive better value and flexibility in the future. As Japan tackles its own energy challenges and future (FIG. 2), the Gastech Exhibition & Conference will provide the international gas market with the perfect backdrop to discuss wider commercial and technical energy issues. These issues include energy security, risk management, technological advancements, joint venture collaboration, emerging technologies, investments, succession planning, contracting, project financing, management and other business-critical issues that will advance the path for greater gas advocacy.

FIG. 2. Neon signs light up downtown Tokyo. Japan is on the cutting edge of technology and innovation.

The event’s multi-faceted program will cater to the full energy ecosystem’s needs, from C-level and government, marketing and trading, to engineers, operations and asset teams. The Conference, Gas Leaders’ Summit, VIP Programme, LNG Procurement Forum, Women In Energy, Youth Programmes and the newly expanded Technical Programme—combined with the Exhibition and multiple business networking events—present a vital opportunity to gather with industry leaders and colleagues to learn, exchange ideas and collaborate.

The four-day, multi-streamed Gastech conference reflects the business-critical needs of the international gas and LNG markets. The agenda encompasses highly original commercial and technical content, unrivaled networking opportunities with more than 25,000 commercial and technical industry professionals, the open exchange of ideas, and a showcase for the latest innovations, technologies and developments across the complete value chain.

Companies confirmed to exhibit include the Japan Gastech Consortium companies, Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, KOGAS, GAIL, Gazprom, Total, Qatar Petroleum, KBR, Bechtel, Chevron, ADNOC, Samsung Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, MI LNG, DSME, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and many others.

Attendees include decisionmakers and stakeholders at all levels and disciplines from the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. Every major international oil and gas company is represented, in addition to a multitude of national oil and gas companies, global utility companies, engineering contractors, shipbuilders, manufacturers, distributors and service providers.

“Gastech’s broad, diverse program is shaped by energy professionals to deliver outstanding insight and create exceptional networking and new business opportunities, while ensuring a robust return on investment,” says Nobuo Tanaka, Chairman of the Japan Gastech Consortium and former Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.

“You will interact with international government ministers, policymakers and business leaders that are driving global investments, project financing and partnerships, as well as key executives involved in the contracting, procurement, trading and delivery of natural gas and LNG.

“Major engineering, procurement and construction companies tendering global gas and LNG projects, as well as leading shipbuilders, shipowners, brokers and fleet management currently delivering LNG to world markets, take advantage of the world’s largest and most important meeting place for the global gas and LNG industry. We look forward to hosting this prestigious international event and to bringing the international energy industry to Japan with your support.” GP