Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Uzbekistan International Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (OGU), the best-attended industry event in Uzbekistan, returns for its 17th edition on 14 - 16 May 2013 in Tashkent.

OGU provides a senior-level business platform for international oil and gas companies as well as service providers to converge with the local operators and establish new business opportunities.

Chairperson of the board of national holding company Uzbekneftegaz Shokir Fayzullaev underlined that 86% of OGU-2012 participants positively rated the event and 81% were able to establish business contacts with partners, while 78% conformed their participation at OGU-2013.

Shokir Fayzullaev said that industry changed significantly for last year. He said that industry increased the volume of attracted and used foreign capital to development and modernization of oil and gas sector. Share of used foreign direct investments in the sector in 2012 made up 59.2% from total used investments in 2012, he said.

He said that among OGU-2013 participants are companies, which participate in joint projects in Uzbekistan. Among them are Russian companies Gazprom and Lukoil, CNPC International (China), Petronas Carigali (Malaysia), Korea National Oil Corporation, Korea Gas Corporation (South Korea), PetroVietnam (Vietnam), Sasol (South Africa) Delta Oil Company (Saudi Arabia), Tethys Petroleum Limited (UK), Technip (Italy) and others. Overall, he said, that more than 160 companies from 25 countries have confirmed their participation at the exhibition. About 79% of all exhibitors are from outside Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistani companies make up about 21% of the exhibitors, with 13 domestic exhibitors taking part led by Uzbekneftegaz - Cumulative Business Solutions, Exrogaz, Grand Maxsan Engineering, Mashsanoat, Mega-Mebiko, Oltin Yo\'l Gtl, Uzprista, Ariston Thermo-UTG, Spets Polimer Montaj Sanatsiya, Mexatronika, Promline Group and United Actions Trading.

This year marks 60 years since the first gas field, Setalantepe, was opened in the Kyzyl-Kum desert, and it is also 15 years since the start of operation of the Hojaabad Gas Storage Facility in the Fergana Valley. This will be reflected at the stand of Uzbekneftegaz, where companies within the national holding company will also be represented: Uzgeoburneftegaz, Uzneftegazdobycha, trhe Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex, Uznefteprodukt, Uztrangaz, Uzneftegazmash and Uzneftegazstroyinvest. Russia is strongly represented with exhibitors including Volgaburmash, Energogazpribor, Novye Tekhnologii, Oil and Gas Systems and Tegaz, and Ukrainian and Kazakhstani companies are again taking part.

Germany has also maintained its regular participation, with exhibitors including Geo Sys GMBH, Intereng Meßtechnik, Jumo, Kanex Krohne Anlagen Export, MAN Diesel & Turbo and Samson AG Mess- Und Regeltechnik, and for the fourth time the Italian-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce is supporting an Italian national stand.

China’s national group includes a range of producers such as BGP Inc. - China National Petroleum Corporation, Chu Kong, Haixin Petroleum Equipment, Lilin Group, Nanjing Ocean High Pressure Vessel, Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe, Shandong Kerui Petroleum Equipment, Shanghai Shenkai Petroleum Equipment, and Wenzhou Qiangli High Pressure Cylinder.

14 May 2013 will be Lukoil Day at OGU, with a special event reflecting the company’s growth taking place in the open area of Uzexpocentre.

The conference component of OGU will take place at the International Hotel, with 500 delegates taking part, including sector experts and senior managers of the world’s leading oil and gas companies.

Key topics will include ‘Foreign investment and modern technologies in Uzbekistan’s oil and gas sector’. The management of the International Gas Union and a high-level invitee from the UK parliament are taking part in developing the conference. (Source: UzDaily.com)