Not since William Murdoch lit the first gas lamps in England, in the late 18th Century, has the gas industry faced greater challenges or more rewarding opportunities.

Both the opportunities and the challenges will be discussed at one of the biggest energy conferences in the world at this year's Gastech Conference & Exhibition (www.gastech.co.uk), which will be taking place at ExCeL, London, 8 - 11 October.
Now in its 40th year, Gastech, the global meeting place for the gas industry, will again feature the Centres of Technical Excellence (CoTEs) - a specialist technical seminar programme on the exhibition floor.

The gas industry has a strong track record and reputation for health, safety and environmental practices. But regulatory frameworks must stay up to date as renewables -including bio methane and unconventional resources like shale gas and coal bed methane -come online within international markets.

Carbon emission reduction targets, the potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS), and interest in supplying hydrogen to homes and businesses through domestic gas networks will change the industry and supply chains in myriad ways.

That is why the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) will promote the continuing importance of health, safety and environmental best practice at the Gastech Exhibition by presenting the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) CoTE stream, from 10:30-14:50 on Thursday 11 October.

David Morgan, President, IGEM, and managing director of Synthotech Ltd, who will speak at the HSE CoTE stream said: "Our goal is to ensure that the legislative and regulatory environments promote world class health, safety and environmental practice, but also foster and stimulate innovation. Gas has a bright future as governments back new energy sources and move to decarbonise economies, but technical advances, like greater efficiencies and breakthroughs in CCS technology, will be essential for its long term health."

The HSE CoTE stream will be chaired by Peter Hardy, IGEM's Head of Technical Services, and the speaker line-up also includes: John Baldwin (MD, CNG Services Ltd), Gary Tomlin and Mike Johnson (Principal Consultants, GL Noble Denton), Melinda Truskowksi (Global Unconventional Gas Leader, Golder Associates), John M. Gilmore Jr (Director, Invensys Operations Management) and Boma L.A Wilcox Jr (University of Salford).

Attendees are welcome to join IGEM and these speakers at an exclusive networking reception immediately following the seminars, from 14:50-16:00.

Created to deliver knowledge, education and awareness of new innovations and developments in gas technology on the show floor, the CoTEs, are free-to-attend seminars designed to provide a platform for many of the world's most-respected industry associations and organisations.

Utilising high-level speakers throughout the four days of the show, the seminars will focus on specific areas of interest to those working in the global gas industry, encouraging thought-provoking discussion.

The CoTEs comprise a series of streams focused on specific interest areas, from Gas Processing and Unconventional Gas to Floating LNG.

Amanda Basi, the producer of the CoTEs, said: "The impressive speaker line-up is a real testament to the level of interest in Gastech this year. It is one of the most anticipated events on the industry calendar and we are looking to welcome delegates and visitors from around the world."

To register for the Gastech Exhibition and to reserve a free place at the CoTEs please visit www.gastech.co.uk/cotes.