Addressing a press conference, chairman and managing director of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) MA Pathan said that representatives from over 33 countries would participate in the four-day conference that will cover the full hydrocarbon industry from exploration and production to refining and human resources.

Pathan said that this conference was aimed at bringing together national and international experts in the oil sector who would deliberate on the theme "Oil industry outlook in the 21st century: Challenges and opportunities." The response to this conference has been excellent both at the international as well as at the national level.

Ministerial, plenary and keynote addresses from energy policy makers would be presented to update the participants on the status of ongoing marketchallenges and economic reforms, he said. The IOC chief informed that an exhibition was also being organised at Pragati Maidan that would focus on the state-of-the-art technology, products and services in the hydrocarbon industry besides the burgeoning business opportunities in this sector.

Speaking on the occasion, petroleum secretary T S Vijayaraghavan said, the conference would help in evolving business opportunities and promoting awareness among the oil majors.

The conference would also have three special interactive group sessions where chief executives and heads of delegations would interact with the government and oil company officials on core business areas such as investment opportunities in the petroleum sector, energy cooperation and business initiatives among Asian countries.