The 13^th edition of PETROTECH 2019, International Conference and Exhibition, organized by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC), in association with FIPI, under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was inaugurated on 10 February 2019 by the Hon'ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan. The theme for this year’s event is 'Shaping the New Energy World through innovation and Collaboration’.

Dignitaries lighting the inaugural lamp

Accompanying Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan in lighting the ceremonial lamp were Hon’ble Minister of Mines & Petroleum Ms. Nargis Nehan, Hon’ble Adviser on Energy, Power and Mineral Resources to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mr. Tawfiq – e- Elahi Chouwdhury, Hon’ble Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Kazakhstan Mr. Kanat Bozumbayev, Hon’ble Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mauritius Mr. Ivan Leslie Collendavello, and Minister of Industry Commerce & Supplies, Nepal Mr. Matrika Prasad Yadav. 

Welcoming the dignitaries and distinguishing delegates, during his inaugural address, Mr. Pradhan exhorted that PETROTECH 2019 will serve as a platform to discuss solutions to the challenges that we face not only in India but also in respective countries, in delivering affordable, efficient, clean and assured energy supplies to the masses.

Hon'ble Minister addressing the gathering at the inaugural session

Mr. Pradhan said, “This PETROTECH conference will provide us with the opportunity to look at the future and discuss how government, industry and society can work together to deliver the energy, the world needs today to grow and advance.

Appreciating the contribution of the Oil & Gas Sector, the Hon’ble Minister added, “India is the third largest consumer of crude oil and petroleum products, globally accounting for 4.5% of world’s oil consumption, after US and China.

Acknowledging the global presence of Indian Oil and Gas companies in 28 countries with investments worth approx 38 Billion US Dollars, Mr. Pradhan notified that during the last three years Indian companies have acquired strategic stakes in overseas assets in UAE, Oman, Israel and Russia.

The Hon’ble Minister also highlighted the shift from BS - IV to BS - VI standard, implementation of Ethanol Blended Petrol program and introduction of National Bio-fuel Policy to promote alternate fuels.

Thanking the dignitaries, Mr. Pradhan expressed his gratitude to the World Leaders for assembling at the event to ensure the success of the event.

The first day of the three day PETROTECH – 2019 event, scheduled from 10 – 12, February 2019, will witness two Ministerial Sessions, inauguration of the exhibition by the Hon’ble Minister and the dignitaries and a Plenary Session along with a Technical Session and Digital Poster Session.

Dignitaries at the Dias

The event was also graced by the presence of ONGC CMD & Chairman of Steering Committee PETROTECH 2019 Mr. Shashi Shankar and ONGC Director (Exploration) & Chairman of Organizing Committee for PETROTECH 2019 Mr. A K Dwivedi.