Recap: Mediterranean Offshore Conference
All the Way From Australia to Egypt
Pre-Conference: Conor Cyprus Visit
As we prepared for MOC 2024, it felt essential to make the most of the proximity between Cyprus and Egypt, especially since our presenter, Conor Sherrard, was journeying all the way from Australia. It seemed a perfect opportunity to bring him to Cyprus beforehand and connect with our Pontem Analytics team there. The prospect of having everyone together, even briefly, added an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming conference.
Wasting no time, we picked up Conor straight from the airport and headed directly to the University of Nicosia, where the SPE Cyprus Section was hosting an event on CO2-EOR and Sequestration: Challenges on Pore Scale, presented by Dr. Erdal Ozkan from the Colorado School of Mines. The talk, focusing on the technical and environmental aspects of CO2-enhanced oil recovery and sequestration, was a rare chance to dive into high-level discussions around one of the industry’s most pressing topics. The event set a collaborative tone for the days ahead, and we wrapped up the evening with a spirited dinner in Nicosia.
With Conor’s visit spanning the working week, Monday through Friday, we were determined to balance work commitments with a quick introduction to Cyprus. While time was limited, we managed to give Conor a glimpse of Limassol, one of Cyprus’s coastal gems. The evening included a stroll along the Marina, where the bustling port and serene views made for an ideal setting, and a visit to the Beach Volleyball courts—a favorite local spot that gives a taste of Cyprus’s active lifestyle. We capped it off with a Georgian cuisine experience, a delightful way to highlight the island’s blend of cultures and tastes.
One particularly exciting part of Conor’s visit was a meeting with Nicolas Drousiotis from CHC. Nicolas’s presence allowed us to share our vision in person, showcasing Pontem’s unique capabilities and ambitions. This was a meaningful milestone for us as a team, as it offered an opportunity to introduce our office to an external partner and engage in discussions about future collaborative efforts. As an added note, we’re thrilled to share that we’re moving into a larger office soon, expanding our capacity to support our growing team and host more partners.
These few days were a whirlwind of activity, with work commitments blending seamlessly with small moments of exploration and exchange. Conor’s enthusiasm, despite the packed schedule and his recent travels, added to the energy. Every meeting and casual interaction seemed to reinforce the sense of shared purpose and anticipation for MOC, underlining how far we had come as a team and setting high expectations for what lay ahead in Egypt.
Before we knew it, our time in Cyprus had come to an end. The days had flown by, filled with discussions, laughter, and meaningful exchanges. As we packed up and made our way to the airport, there was a sense of accomplishment—having connected as a team, introduced Conor to the Cyprus office, and laid the groundwork for our participation in MOC. We left Cyprus with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to dive into the conference with fresh insights and a strengthened team dynamic.
Egypt: MOC24
This was our first time visiting Egypt, and the quick flight from Cyprus made it feel like we’d arrived in a new world in no time. Egypt’s rich history and dynamic atmosphere were immediately captivating. There’s a palpable energy to the place—a country that balances ancient wonders with a bustling modern energy. Although our schedule was packed, we managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the Pyramids while driving, promising ourselves to make time for a proper visit next time.
The MOC24 conference itself was impressive, drawing an enormous crowd. From a quick estimate, the opening ceremony alone hosted over 2,000 attendees, underscoring the event’s significance in the Mediterranean energy sector. The sheer scale and enthusiasm were inspiring, reinforcing how vital collaboration and innovation are to the future of our industry.
We had the honor of presenting our latest work on risk-based hydrate management, a project that represents significant effort from our team. Conor Sherrard, as always, delivered the presentation flawlessly, bringing our research to life on stage and engaging the audience with his expertise. Our paper on this topic is now publicly available, and for those interested in a deeper dive, we’ve linked it below.
No Risk, No Reward: A New Era of Risk-Based Hydrate Management for Gas-condensate Developments
One of the highlights of being in Egypt was reconnecting with old friends and respected colleagues. It was a pleasure to meet up with my friend Shady Shaker and catch up on his latest endeavors—hoping for more chances to collaborate in the future. A special part of this experience was meeting Kostas’s professor, Dr. Gaganis, who was also attending MOC. Alongside him was Mr. Ismail from HEREMA, who delivered an insightful presentation on carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives in Greece. Both are vibrant, passionate people with a contagious enthusiasm for the future of energy.
Another memorable encounter was with Dr. Mohamed Kamal, whom we initially met at EMC in Cyprus (see story below). Dr. Kamal also shared an engaging presentation on innovative solutions for mitigating flaring in oil fields—a testament to the forward-thinking technology emerging in the field. For anyone interested in this topic, Dr. Kamal is an excellent resource and advocate.
Dr. Kamal further extended an invitation to visit Petrojet’s headquarters in New Cairo, giving us the chance to introduce Pontem Analytics to one of Egypt’s most prominent energy companies. Meeting the Petrojet team was a significant milestone for us, highlighting the potential for future partnerships and underscoring the reach and impact that Pontem Analytics is aiming to achieve in the region.
All in all, MOC24 proved to be a dynamic and invaluable conference, one where we met a host of new people and reconnected with old friends, enriching both our personal and professional lives. With so much to take away, there’s no question we’ll be returning to MOC in the future, ready to continue this journey of collaboration and innovation.
Key Takeaways and Future Directions
Reflecting on our time in Cyprus and Egypt, this trip has been both professionally enriching and personally fulfilling. From insightful conferences and industry presentations to reconnecting with old colleagues and making new connections, each moment emphasized the power of collaboration and the global nature of the energy industry. Here are some of our top takeaways from this memorable journey:
While visiting Cyprus, we realized we need an uninterrupted weekend to truly enjoy its unique beauty and vibrant culture.
Egypt’s proximity to Cyprus highlights its appeal, not only geographically but also in terms of its established expertise in the oil and gas sector.
The world may be vast, but our industry feels incredibly close-knit. It was a pleasure reconnecting with old friends and building relationships with new colleagues.
Risk-based hydrate management is an evolving field, and presenting our latest work at MOC24 highlighted Pontem Analytics’ role in advancing innovative solutions in this area.
Despite being at the conference, the work never stopped—late nights of catching up on tasks became part of the routine, reflecting the commitment required to keep pace in this fast-moving industry.
Meeting the Petrojet team was a standout experience, and we’re enthusiastic about exploring future collaborations.
Looking ahead, we’re already anticipating our next visit to Egypt for the EGYPES 2025 conference early next year. This event will provide a valuable opportunity to reconnect with industry peers, delve into emerging trends, and strengthen partnerships, including our growing relationship with Petrojet. We’re excited to continue building on the insights gained from this trip and to further Pontem’s role in advancing sustainable and impactful solutions within the energy sector.
