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International Downstream Week 2018

PETROLEUM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD MET AT IDW 2018

IDW 2018 - International Downstream Week, incorporating IDTC 2018 (International Downstream Technology & Strategy Conference) and BBTC 2018 (Bottom of the Barrel Technology Conference), was held from 22-25 May in Prague, the beautiful capital of Czech Republic. The event was proudly co-hosted by UNIPETROL, Czech Republic's crude oil processor and main petrochemical producer, and a major industry player in Central and Eastern Europe.

This prestigious and long-established event attracted over 250 high-level delegates from over 25 different countries across 4 continents and provided a platform for all industry parties to review the current challenges, exchange opinions on the future outlook of the industry and discuss opportunities for future growth and partnerships, especially in the context of current pressing regulations and the decreasing margins refiners face. New achievements, exciting projects, as well as the importance of innovation and technology advances were also among the main themes of the conference. IDW 2018 once again offered access to unrivalled industry knowledge, a unique atmosphere, relaxed premium networking opportunities and memorable social functions.

The first event of International Downstream Week, IDTC 2018 took place on 22-23 May. The 18th edition of IDTC commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Miroslav Vrba, Energy Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Industry & Trade of Czech Republic, and a keynote speech by Mr. Krzysztof Zdziarski, CEO & Chairman of the Board of UNIPETROL.

The conference programme covered important downstream industry trends and offered to its audience innovative strategies for remaining competitive in the challenging market environment. Speakers from MOL GROUP, TOTAL ZEELAND REFINERY, ROLAND BERGER STRATEGY CONSULTANTS, PETROCHEMICALS EUROPE, UKPIA, WOOD, AXENS, HONEYWELL UOP, GTC TECHNOLOGIES, EURO PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS (EPC), NESTE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, HOERBIGER, ALFA LAVAL, MC DERMOTT, EVONIK, JOHNSON MATTHEY, PETROCONTROL, PSE, ASE, VGM contributed greatly to an informative and stimulating dialogue.

A key highlight of IDTC 2018 was a Live Interactive Discussion session between the audience and leading industry experts. The discussion revolved around the current main challenges facing the refining industry including the impact of Electric Vehicles and the rising competition between different regions of the world. By using an Interactive Voting System, the delegates were able to express their views on these pressing subjects.

BBTC 2018, the second event of International Downstream Week, took place on 24-25 May, marking the event’s 16th edition. The programme started with a welcome address and keynote speech by Mr. Ivan Soucek, Director of SCHP CR (Association of Chemical Industry of Czech Republic).

BBTC 2018, the only conference focused solely on maximising the bottom of the barrel included presentations by EUROFUEL, THE EUROPEAN HEATING OIL ASSOCIATION, NIS PANCEVO OIL REFINERY, UNIPETROL UNICRE, EURO PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS (EPC), AXENS, HTI, CRITERION CATALYSTS & TECHNOLOGIES, ENI, WOOD, IPCO, CHEVRON LUMMUS GLOBAL, KBR TECHNOLOGY & CONSULTING, HONEYWELL UOP, SINOPEC EUROPE, QUADRISE FUELS, SAINT-GOBAIN NORPRO, FLUOR, GULFTRONIC ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATORS, ALFA LAVAL, WIKA GAYESCO, MOGAS and once again proved the growing importance of residue upgrading for refiners.

One of the highlights of BBTC 2018 was the Exhibitor Showcase – a new and innovative conference session held in the Exhibition Area itself, facilitating interaction and information exchange between attendees and exhibitors. During the Exhibitor Showcase, exhibitors had the opportunity to demonstrate their products and services and impress all attendees in a fresh and interactive way.