GIOGIE 2009 will be held on April 2-3, 2009. More information on this event will be available later.

7th Georgian International Oil, Gas, Energy and Infrastrucure Conference and Showcase took place in Tbilisi, Georgia on 3-4 April 2008. It attracted over 250 delegates from 15 countries. The conference is officially supported by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Ministry of Energy of Georgia , Ministry of Economic Development, Georgian Oil & Gas Corporation (GOGC). Senior level delegations from USA, UK, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Ukraine attended GIOGIE 2008.

Georgia is a strategic crossroad for hydrocarbon transit in the Caspian region. The country has experienced significant growth since the new democratic government came into force. The main directions of the energy policy are energy security, diversification of gas supplies, reconstruction of hydropower plants, construction of underground gas storage facilities, attracting foreign investments and privatization.

The South Caucasus gas pipeline and the BTC (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan) pipeline allow oil and gas to flow from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Europe. Over the last decade, $5 billion has been invested by BP and its partners into development of the major oil and gas pipelines that cross Georgia.

Reconstruction work on the Batumi Oil Terminal is now complete and reconstruction of the Poti port is currently underway. Construction of a new, Kulevi Oil Terminal, operated by SOCAR, will be completed this year.

There has been a great deal of interest in developing Georgia's own oil and gas fields. Oil exploration projects are being conducted in East and South-West Georgia. In 2007 several new license blocks were awarded to international oil companies. Georgia is party to the Kyoto protocol which creates additional opportunities for investors who could be financially rewarded if their projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Conference topics in 2008's programme included:

· Opportunities for foreign investment in Georgia's energy industry.

· Georgia's role as a strategic crossroads for oil & gas

transportation between Asia and Europe. BTC and BTE pipelines - achievements and challenges. Transit via oil terminals.

· Diversification of imported energy resources. Regional energy security. Aiming towards economic independence and sustainability of the energy sector .

· Exploration and Production: developing current fields and the prospects for future development. New license blocks have recently been awarded to international oil companies.

· Rehabilitation and construction of hydropower plants. Georgia has one of the largest undeveloped hydropower potentials in the world (50,000 MW) but is only using 10% of its capacity. Risk assessment and pre feasibility studies are currently being held to determine investment opportunities in greenfield hydrowpower sites.

· Development of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. Completion of metering system.

· Legislative and fiscal regime

Traditional sponsors and participants include:

BP, SOCAR, KazTransGas, Statoil, BOTAS, TPAO, Canargo, Batumi Oil Terminal, Cross Caspian, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Shell Global Solutions, Total , Georgian Int'l Energy Corp. (GIEC), Seacor Environmental Services, Hi-Force, Georgian Steel, Kentech, GeoEngineering, Mannesmann Fuchs Rohr, McDermott, Silk Road Group, Millennium Challenge Georgia (MCG), EBRD, Bank of Georgia, AmCham, Wintershall, Wissol Petroleum, World Bank and many others.

Come to GIOGIE 2009 - learn about business opportunities and enjoy traditional Georgian hospitality, picturesque sights and a wonderful cuisine!