OPIS Seminar

Thursday, April 17 – Dubai

Seats are complimentary and limited

Register for the Seminar

Energy Crossroads: Embracing Fuels and Chemicals Amidst Energy Transition

 

Join us at our upcoming seminar where we will examine the dynamic interplay of the global economy, energy landscape and sustainable chemistry. From the foundations of steel and metal to the frontiers of hydrogen and carbon, our agenda delves into the entire energy and chemical value chain, identifying the critical touchpoints that shape each industry’s trajectory.

OPIS experts will examine supply costs, demand price discovery and outlooks for oil, gas, coal, steel, plastics, carbon, hydrogen, chemicals and more. We will provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of sustainability measures across the energy and chemical markets and how you can maneuver your business through the crossroads.

Join us for a comprehensive analysis of the impact of sustainability measures across the energy and chemical markets and how you can maneuver your business safely through the crossroads.

Date and Venue

Grovesnor House, Dubai

Thursday, 17 April 2025

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (JST)
Lunch, coffee breaks and cocktail reception are included

View agenda

Expert Presenters

Veteran Industry Professionals from OPIS, Chemical Market Analytics and McCloskey

 

View the speaker line-up

Solutions

Price Assessments, Short- and Long-Term Outlooks, Analytics and Insights

Energy & Feedstock – Energy Macro Service, NGL & Naphtha Service (Outlooks, Insights, Price Assessments)

World Analysis – Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), Sodium Sulfate, Nitrile Latex (NBL), Pyrolysis Gasoline (PyGas), Polyacetal (POM Polymers)

Steel Raw Materials Markets & Research

Compliance and Voluntary Carbon Market Reports

Request a demo

Session 1: Energy and Economy

9:00 am
Welcome Remarks

Speaker TBD


9:05 am
The Geopolitical landscape of the Middle East under Trump 2.0

Speaker TBD

Description


9:20 am
Global Energy & Chemicals Future: Emerging to a New World

John Howland, Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS

With the chemical industry continuing to experience a historical over-supply with trough-like margins, the market conditions and competitive landscape in the horizon will be different from the past. Structural changes ranging from national ambitions and regulatory frameworks, international collaborations, new investment optimization rules, to sustainability prioritization affect future financial success.

Key forces affecting this industry structural redesign include:


9:40 am
Dynamics of NGL and Naphtha

Speaker TBD

The cracking economics of naphtha vs propane in Asia and their susceptibility to geopolitical events and economic concerns will be uncovered, and how the Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped naphtha flows into Asia and created tiered markets. Other regional views include how the US and Middle East propane continue to tussle for market share in Asia amid volatile freight rates, and how the Chinese demand will be key in absorbing LPG flows into Asia.


10:00 am
Energy and Feedstocks Trending in Different Directions

Dewey Johnson, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Energy transition means less oil and gas production, altering the traditional model where petrochemical feedstocks were byproducts. Despite increasing demand for petrochemicals, the shift imposes a cost burden on both the petrochemical industry and the end consumer. Balancing this dynamic becomes crucial in navigating the evolving energy landscape.


10:20 am
Networking & Coffee Break

 

Session 2: Energy, Commodities, and Chemicals

10:30 am
The Power Mix – Middle East

Marina Maliushkina, Associate Director of Global Steel, McCloskey by OPIS


10:50 am
Q&A

Question and answer session.


11:00 pm
The Changing Face of Methanol Demand: Supply Versus Demand Growth and Where Grey Meets Green

Mike Nash, Vice President, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Current methanol feedstocks are almost exclusively natural gas and Chinese coal. Methanol also plans an important role at energy transition and sustainability development. Demand growth in the last ten years has been largely driven by MTO, with strong fuels growth. But as growth into MTO declines, future demand will be driven more by traditional chemical derivatives, with methanol into marine fuel and vehicle fuel a constantly growing and topical upside. The industry is beginning its decarbonization journey, with new technologies and feedstocks and some consumers looking to purchase green, not grey methanol. We will discuss the anticipated evolution of the methanol industry over the next decade, the implications for pricing, supply-demand, trade, and the types of companies participating in the market.


11:20 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


11:30 pm
Spotlight: China’s Chemical’s Landscape

Speaker TBD


11:50 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


11:50 pm
Lunch

Session 3: Energy Transition

1:00 pm
Opening Remarks

Speaker TBD


1:05 pm
Solar Market: Lessons Learned from China

Sakura Yamasaki, Founder and CEO 

The global solar market is still largely defined by trends unfold in China and it’s shifting position in the market. China remains the dominant player across global solar installations across the top 5 markets – China, US, EU, India, and Brazil.
But the views inside China also tell another story including a 2024 installation slowdown. Why and What are the trends for solar installations inside China? The U.S. India and other regions are ramping up their industrial capacities. But as Chinese companies expand overseas supply chain capacities attempt to play a wac-a-mole game with the U.S. What insights can the Middle East gain from it’s own rapidly growing solar capacity. Supported by national targets, installations in the Middle East are growing faster than anywhere else. We will evaluate GW scale tenders in the region against a very price-sensitive market with deep forward curves. We’ll also dive into how the ME supply chain has grown exponentially in the past 2 years via partnerships with Chinese companies. Solar is a means to several ends in ME: technological leadership and energy transition. Is solar as a “hedge” against oil dependency, or a real path to global energy leadership?


1:25 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


1:30 pm
The Changing Dynamics of Steel Markets: Green Steel

Dr. James Stevenson, Research Lead, McCloskey by OPIS

The Middle East finds itself at the forefront of Green Steel development. Renewable generation – particularly solar – is growing rapidly in the region, and is a cornerstone of the expectation that the Middle East will become a green hydrogen production hub. With this resource, and access to either local or imported iron ore, the Middle East has the potential to grow to be a major player in the Green Steel supply chain – either as a producer of green DRI/HBI, or potentially taking the additional step of growing as a Green steel producer. Investments are coming rapidly – not only from local entities, but also from steelmakers around the world. But will global hydrogen and green steel markets take off to support such an industry? Or will the cost of green steel and logistical challenges around hydrogen slow the decarbonization of the steel sector?


1:50 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


2:00 pm
Can Hydrogen Live up to the Hype?

Dominic Omusi, Principal Analyst – Hydrogen Markets, OPIS

Hydrogen is gaining serious momentum as a key player in the global energy transition, offering a versatile, clean alternative to fossil fuels. But as with any emerging technology, it faces skepticism and misconceptions. Dive into hydrogen’s growing role in decarbonizing industries like transportation and steel production, and we address common myths surrounding its safety, cost, and efficiency. Discover how hydrogen is shaping the future of clean energy and how its myths are steadily being dispelled.


2:20 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


2:30 pm
The State of the Carbon Markets and What’s Ahead

Stephen Donofrio

Deep dive into the implications of CBAM on Middle Eastern imports to Europe. What are the CORISIA or other Article 6 agreements that the region may want to embrace?


2:50 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


3:00 pm
Networking & Coffee Break

 


3:20 pm
Closing Fireside chat: The Next Decade – Charting a Sustainable Course for the Middle Eastern Energy, Steel and Chemical Industries

John Howland, Dewey Johnson, James Stevenson


3:50 pm
Q&A

Question and answer session.


4:00 pm
Closing Remarks

4:30 pm
Cocktail Reception

 

Registration Form

Complete the form below to register for the OPIS seminar in Dubai, book a meeting, or schedule a demo.

Note that there will be no recordings available for this event.




These offers include recommended content or information on upcoming events. I can unsubscribe at any time.*


Meet Our Speakers

Presented by:

OPIS, A Dow Jones Company

 

Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company                        McCloskey by OPIS, A Dow Jones Compan