Middle East summit aims to protect energy infrastructure, ensure operation of oil and gas sector

For oil and gas companies, business financing may be the biggest day-to-day concern, but not the most threatening - security risks to the energy sector continually endanger the existence and financial health of oil and gas companies across the globe.

The International Quality & Productivity Center recently announced the 4th Annual Security for Energy Infrastructure Summit, held October 18- 21 in Abu Dhabi, which will aim to find ways to safeguard the energy sector's critical infrastructure and ensure its continued operational well-being.

The Summit will feature panels and discussions by security and energy professionals, presenting the latest strategies and technologies for use in addressing the most pressing security threats to the sector, including terrorism, sabotage, organized crime and piracy.

Confirmed speakers include Nigel Carpenter, former deputy group head of security at BP and current managing director of Global Security Risk Associates; Jos Schiffelers, general vice president of health, safety, security & environment at Taqa, Abu Dhabi's national energy company; David Key, group head of crisis management and business continuity for BG Group; and Graham Rae, vice president of quality, health, safety, environment & security for Dolphin Energy.

With the continued volatility of the Middle East, ensuring the protection of critical energy infrastructure is a crucial issue - in the next five years, more than $20 billion will be spent on the cause, according to the International Quality & Productivity Center.