Argus Base Oils Middle East Conference

• Learn how prices have trended across the Mideast Gulf and Asia in 2023 and what the driving market fundamentals are in this region.
• What are the latest supply-side developments impacting base oils in the region such as new builds and turnarounds, and are they sufficient to balance the market in the mid- to long-term?
• What impact do Group I, II and III arbitrages, spreads and margins have on spot market prices in the region?

• Asia’s two largest importers – India and China – have increased their self-sufficiency because of decreased demand during the pandemic and the availability of discounted Russian crude.
• With global demand recovering from pandemic lows, is this trend sustainable in the long-term?
• What is the big picture for Asia-MEG trade in the future?

Speakers:

• Chen Yinshuai, Senior Business Director, Wuchan Zhongda Chemical Group

• In response to the outbreak of conflict in Europe, sanctions were placed on the trading of Russian origin crude, base oils and their products.
• Learn about the fall in base oil exports from Russia and behaviour of prices for Russian supplies after implementation of sanctions.
• Considering rail data from within Russia and what we know of current domestic flows, what can we interpret about the Russian market and where we are seeing their base oils appear in the rest of the world?

• What are re-refined base oils and how do they compare to virgin base oils in terms of quality and performance?
• Why are re-refined base oils so important in meeting sustainability targets?
• What lessons can be learned from increasing adoption of re-refined base oils across other regions such as Europe to make this a successful adoption in other regions?

Speaker:

• Mario Majic, Head of Strategic Business Development, Marketing & Corporate Governance, Avista Oil AG

• What is the big picture for lubricant blenders and traders across the region? What are the key challenges and opportunities facing this sector and how can companies ensure they are leading the market?
• How are blenders and traders across the Mideast Gulf adapting their strategies to hit decarbonisation targets and maintain high performance?
• How are the panel preparing for future fuels and are there plans to diversify production to include lubricants for fuels such as renewable diesel, hydrogen, ammonia etc?

Speakers:

• Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, Globestar Energy FZE

Almost two-thirds of EV owners worldwide still own an ICE vehicle, including over 70% of the UAE. Hear from a research expert about what the Mideast fleet is likely to look like in the coming years, and the impact these engine changes will have on lubricant manufacturing and demand.

• What role will EVs play in the future of the Mideast Gulf’s fleet? What can we expect to see from the region’s uptake of EVs compared to ICE vehicles in the next few years based on current buying patterns?
• How are other renewable fuel engines such as ammonia, hydrogen, and renewable diesel developing?
• Is there any incoming legislation or driver incentives that could affect the choice of engine in the region?

• Understand how changing engine technology, environmental legislation, and the specific needs of vehicles and machinery in the Mideast Gulf are driving changes in lubricants formulations and additive packages.
• How are PCMO and HDDEO formulations changing in the Mideast Gulf, and what is the impact this will have on base oil supplies for the region?
• What opportunities do renewable fuels and new engines across automotive and industrial uses create for blenders and additive manufacturers?

• What is the scale of grease production in the Middle East Gulf?
• How is the grease industry responding to challenges such as lessened availability of lithium – a common thickener for automotive and industrial greases?
• What initiatives is the industry looking at to reduce its carbon footprint and increase its sustainability?

• Discover what factors are supporting and pressuring global base oil prices in 2H2023
• With persistent downward pressure on pricing in the first half of the year, has the region experienced the predicted second-half recovery?
• Explore the impact of rising supply on arbitrages and pricing relationships alongside evolving crude flow, prices, and the repercussions on base oils

• Learn why Africa is an emerging market of interest across the globe with heavy industry on the rise, automotive production booming, and increased demand for lubricants year on year.
• How much has African demand for base oils and lubricants increased in the last few years?
• What can we expect from African demand in the coming years?

• What is the size of the opportunity?
• What are the driving factors of African industry’s success - legislation, economy growth, favourable raw material costs and more.
• What needs do different African countries have for base oils and lubricants, and how can this be met to enable continued growth?

• The Mideast Gulf and Africa have the potential to establish a mutually beneficial trade flow - how can producers and distributors best capitalise on the opportunities across the continent and what will make them appealing to African buyers?
• How can the Mideast Gulf help support Africa’s lubricants industry?
• What still needs to be done to facilitate better trade between the two regions?

Speakers include:

• Ali Al-Ganzory, Senior Base Oil Trader, BGN INT DMCC
• Samer Akram, Director - Operations, Unichem
• Sudip Shyam, Global Head Base Oils, Mocoh