From the Chief Executive: the new energy landscape

We launch this issue of Energy Focus at ADIPEC 2017, where once again the EIC will be hosting the UK pavilion. During the twenty-plus years we’ve taken part in the event, we’ve seen first-hand how it’s grown to become the Middle East’s premier oil and gas conference and exhibition.

Likewise, our involvement has grown year upon year, and it’s now one of the largest UK pavilions that we manage at energy events around the world. At this year’s ADIPEC we’re hosting over 50 companies that will be showcasing the innovative products and services that the UK oil and gas industry is renowned for worldwide. Taking our cue from ADIPEC, we’ve used this issue of Energy Focus to put the spotlight on the Middle East with a range of articles charting developments throughout the region.

In 2016 one of the region’s biggest players, ADNOC, undertook a significant restructuring programme. The managerial re-shuffle made headlines around the world, with high-profile appointments including Abdulaziz Alhajri’s nomination as Director of its Downstream Directorate.

In an exclusive interview for Energy Focus, he reveals the truth behind the rumours of an ADNOC IPO as well as plans for the company’s petrochemical and refinery portfolio.

What’s really interesting about our interview with Abdulaziz Alhajri is how it shows that the whole industry, from state-owned giants all the way down to family-run SMEs are recognising the need to adjust to the new energy landscape, which is indeed the theme of this issue of Energy Focus: How can energy companies continue to grow, given the current challenging market conditions?

We put the question to four EIC member companies: Aiken Group, Carpenter & Paterson, ENGIE Fabricom and HR Wallingford, which have each put in place different strategies such as collaboration, diversification and export, to deal with the downturn.

The UK has yet to fulfil its true export potential; in fact, according to government statistics, only 11% of companies (across all sectors) look for an overseas market for their products or services, and unfortunately the energy industry appears to be no different. Indeed, our EIC Survive & Thrive Insight Report found that only 8% of participating companies focused on investing in new export markets as a growth strategy in the downturn. Given the phenomenal results that exporting can achieve, it’s surprising. With Brexit looming, it’s worrying.

Bearing this in mind, we spoke to the new Minister for Investment the Rt Hon Mark Garnier about his thoughts on the future of UK energy exports and how the Department for International Trade can help UK companies reap the rewards of moving beyond our borders.

One company certainly benefitting greatly from moving into a new market is Bridon-Bekaert. We had an interview with Jeferson Leite, the company’s first-ever Brazilian employee, and find out about their incredible South American journey and how it all started at the EIC Rio office using our LaunchPad service.

Our LaunchPad service is just one of the many ways we help our members to grow. On (News & Events) we have provided an update on some of the latest EIC products and services – all of which are designed to help our companies flourish. Perhaps the most exciting development is our newly launched EICAssetMap, the only operations and maintenance (O&M) database to map all major UK energy facilities across all energy sectors. As someone who worked in the global O&M market for over 20 years I can tell you this is a ground-breaking business development tool for anyone involved in, or thinking about moving into, the OPEX market. We’re already planning the next stage of its development, to cover the Middle East region.

To find out about the full range of EIC tools, events and activities, and how they can help companies of any size and sector to broaden their focus, adapt to current market conditions and generate new business, please visit: www.the-eic.com.

Stuart Broadley
EIC CEO
stuart.broadley@the-eic.com