The current situation of the oil and gas industry, the new global geopolitical map, and the analysis of challenges and opportunities for the growth of the sector will be the main topics of the Oil and Gas Conference ARPEL 2015, which will be held April 7-9 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. It will be attended by Presidents and Financial Managers of national and international oil and gas companies as well as internationally renowned specialists who will provide their vision on the prospects for development of the sector given the current situation of prices, as well as the different management strategies. 

Latin America and the Caribbean play a very significant role in the global context of the oil and gas industry. In terms of reserves, they rank second after the Middle East. More than 10 million barrels of oil and 600 million cubic meters of natural gas are produced daily. Investments are expected to exceed 70,000 million dollars per year in order to meet the growing demand for energy. 

In this regard, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regional Association of Oil, Gas and Biofuels Sector Companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARPEL), Benito Piñeiro, stated that "participation in ARPEL Conference is a unique opportunity to have direct contact with the major players of the industry in the region, share experiences and visions, and discuss solutions to promote the progress of the industry in the region". 

The intense schedule of the event includes more than twenty sessions on various topics such as the following: Global and regional perspective of the energy sector; Geopolitics, risks and opportunities; Analysis of the crude oil market and prices in the current situation with a medium- and long-term vision; Development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources in Latin America and the Caribbean; Selection, training and development of the labor force in the industry; and Human rights and business. 

Almost a hundred recognized exhibitors will be part of the Conference ARPEL 2015, including Pierce Riemer, General Director of WPC; Pal Rasmussen, Secretary General of IGU; Ann Louise Hittle, Director of Macro Oils of Wood Mackenzie; Carlos Pascual, Senior Vice President of IHS; Antonio Prado, Deputy Executive Secretary of ECLAC; Miguel Galuccio, President and CEO of YPF; Carlos Ormachea, CEO of Tecpetrol; Steve Crowell,  President and CEO of Pluspetrol; Marcelo Tokman, CEO of ENAP; Luis Ortigas Cuneo, President of Perupetro; Hatem Soliman, President for Latin America of Schlumberger; Krishna Shivran, President for the Western Hemisphere of Weatherford; Guillermo Acha, President of YPFB; and Luis Cabra, Director General of E&P of Repsol. 

In addition to the special dialogue of the CEOs on the current situation of the industry given the new global context, one morning session will be devoted to Hydrocarbons Agencies and entities responsible for calls for bids in the E&P areas, which will present the investment opportunities in the region. 

Also, the Research and Development Centers will share a space where their representatives will present the major technological advances that leverage the growing demand for energy and fuels. The new frontiers of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons, and the reactivation of mature fields are some examples. 

The motto for the fourth edition of ARPEL Conference is "cooperation and innovation for a sustainable energy development", which reflects the most important values of ARPEL throughout its history, and especially in 2015, when the Association celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

"ARPEL Conference represents the commitment to cooperation and innovation that member companies have as a mark from their foundation, which commitments are shown by the increase in mutual assistance occurring year after year as an extraordinary example of solidarity of professionals and entrepreneurs," Piñeiro said. 

Given the relevance of safety for the industry, ARPEL will present four recognition awards for Industrial Safety to its member companies in the framework of the Conference. Awards in recognition of Best Performance will be granted in the Upstream and Refining categories, with two winners in each category according to the size of the workforce of the companies. 

ARPEL is the only organization in Latin America and the Caribbean that brings together national and international oil and gas companies, and goods and service providers. Its membership represents over 90 % of the activities of the sector in the region. 

For more information on the Conference  ARPEL 2015, please visit www.conferenciaarpel.org.