KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, January 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Global gas and energy leaders from around the world will gather to attend the prestigious 25th World Gas Conference (WGC2012) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 4-8 June 2012. Hosted by PETRONAS and organised by the International Gas Union (IGU), the conference and exhibition will seek to address the seismic shifts and developments in the energy sector, with a prime focus on the global gas industry.

Themed "Gas: Sustaining Future Global Growth", WGC2012 will showcase major achievements and milestones accomplished by the global gas industry. It will also draw on critical inputs from an array of global gas professionals to chart new strategies for the natural gas industry.

"Natural Gas has a key role in achieving a low carbon economy. The credentials of natural gas are indisputable. Supply security is no longer an issue with the abundance of both conventional and unconventional gas and globalisation of the LNG trade. Yet, natural gas faces challenges and obstacles in positioning itself as a key energy source, particularly in the policy arena. As the spokesperson for the gas industry, IGU has initiated efforts towards advocating for natural gas, so that it will regain its appropriate policy voice, consistent with its merits and potential," said Datuk (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, President, IGU.

The WGC2012 technical programme has been structured along critical themes for each day. Beginning with "Foundation for Growth," the conference progresses with "Securing Gas Supply," then "Enhancing Gas Demand," building up to "A Sustainable Future," on the final day.

Strategic panels will represent topics of current significance to the gas industry including three special projects: "Building Strategic Human Capital", "Nurturing Future Generations" and "Geopolitics and Natural Gas." Besides these three special study projects, key topics such as unconventional gas, gas advocacy, LNG, natural gas for transport, innovation and research and renewable energy will also play a pivotal role in the WGC2012 conference programme.

WGC2012 keynote speakers will comprise the top CEOs and captains of industry associations, International Oil Companies and National Oil Companies. These highly respected individuals from around the world represent a cross-section of the industry from upstream, midstream and downstream.

The latest reconfiguration of exhibition space, up to 10,800 sqm due to overwhelming demand, will bring together major players and suppliers to the gas industry where their latest products, services and area of expertise will be showcased directly to the most influential gathering of international gas professionals.

WGC2012 is sponsored and supported by the likes of Royal Dutch Shell, Qatargas, TOTAL, ExxonMobil, RasGas, GDF Suez, KOGAS and BP, and is set to feature over 5,000 industry professionals, 500 international speakers, 250 local and international media, more than 200 exhibitors and 10,000 trade visitors.

Register online before 31 December 2011 to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and save USD 500. Alternatively, official online registrations close 30 April 2012. For further information, or to register, please visit http://www.wgc2012.com or join the LinkedIn group at http://ow.ly/73nMx.

About WGC2012

Since 1931, the International Gas Union has been organising the World Gas Conference once every three years; the triennial World Gas Conference and Exhibition is the biggest and most important global gas industry event, attracting 5,000 industry professionals from all over the world and showcasing the latest developments, with information on policies, strategies technologies, challenges and opportunities. The 25th World Gas Conference will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 4-8 June 2012 with the theme "Gas: Sustaining Future Global Growth."

About IGU

The International Gas Union was founded in 1931. It is a worldwide non-profit organisation whose objective is to promote the technical and economic progress of the global gas industry.

The members of the IGU are associations and entities of the gas industries in 77 countries which account for over 95% of the natural gas traded around the world, and maintain very close ties with many other international energy organisations. It consists a total of 118 members, of which 78 are charter members and 40 are associate members.

WGC2012 Conference Secretariat
Level 20, Tower 1, Etiqa Twins
11, Jalan Pinang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +60-3-2171-3477 / +60-3-2171-3575
Fax: +60-3-2171-3535
Email: media@wgc2012.com

SOURCE WGC