Since its inception in 1984, the ADIPEC series of conferences and exhibitions has been held every two years, and organisers are now gearing up for the latest edition, ADIPEC 2002, which will be held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre from October 13 to 16.

ADIPEC 2000 saw 867 exhibitors, from both local and international oil and gas-related companies, from 41 countries. 13,589 professional visitors, most of them decision makers and high-ranking officials from around the world, attended the event.

Organisers General Exhibitions Corporation expect ADIPEC 2002 to have an exhibition area 50 per cent bigger than the 2000 event, and the number of visitors is expected to be 60 per cent higher.

As in previous years, the international Petroleum & Gas Conference will run parallel to the exhibition. Over the years, this Conference - fully supported by Adnoc and its group of companies, and the Abu Dhabi Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) - has succeeded in emerging as one of the most distinguished conferences of its kind in the region, according to the organisers.

ADIPEC 2000 witnessed 74 technical papers, out of 165 submitted abstracts, authoured by engineers and scientists from 19 countries being presented. In addition, there were three panel discussions covering Health, Safety & Environment, Gas Processing & Refining, and Reservoir Modelling and Management.