Global gas association IGU chooses Oman for its IGRC conference in 2020

The Sultanate of Oman has been selected to host the International Gas Union’s 16th International Gas Research Conference (IGRC) in 2020. The successful bid was won in collaboration with Oman LNG and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC). The IGRC is a triennial event organised by the International Gas Union (IGU) that highlights the research, development and innovation aspects of the international gas industry. Harib Al Kitani, CEO of Oman LNG LLC said: “We are very grateful and humbled by being able to bring such a prestigious event to Oman. IGRC 2020 will bring over 1,000 senior leaders, partners and experts in the gas industry together to share invaluable insights into the role of natural gas today and in the future.” Al Kitani added that the competition for the bid had been very intense before the decisive voting decision by 30 members of the IGU Executive Committee. The Sultanate is a global leader in enhanced recovery technologies, and Al Kitani added that Oman’s application to host IGRC 2020 was also designed to further Oman’s ambition of becoming a knowledge economy and to transform the commodity reliant country into one that helps shape the world’s thinking. Rodney Cox, Events Director of the International Gas Union, stated: “The International Gas Union (IGU) is very pleased to welcome Muscat, Oman as the host of IGRC 2020. IGU Charter Member, Oman LNG, has been an active contributor to IGU and hosting IGRC 2020 builds on this ongoing support. “We look forward to an outstanding conference that supports both IGU’s global objectives as well as a legacy for the natural gas industry in Oman and the region.” Said Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) added: “It is a privilege to be able to showcase Oman and OCEC as the leading venue of choice in the Arabian Gulf and we will be honoured to host the 2020 IGRC Conference. OCEC has now won 22 international and regional conferences that will be hosted in the Sultanate over the next few years contributing over OMR 24.5m (US$63.5m) and we look forward to welcoming the IGRC delegates in April 2020.” The OCEC includes a 3,200-person theatre, 22,000sqm of pillar-less exhibition space, plus 55 other meeting and reception spaces. The centre also offers two ballrooms (including the largest in Oman).