Distinquished Participants,

It is my great pleasure to invite you to the “Black Sea 2nd Oil and Gas Summit” (BSOGS 2010) which will be held in İstanbul, Turkey on May 13-14, 2010 under the Honorary Presidency of H.E. Taner Yıldız, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey.

The strategic role of energy, especially the fossil fuels, is inevitably becoming more crucial every day, regarding the national economies and international politics for sustainable developments of all countries.

Rise in oil prices, being in parallel with the developing offshore technology, together with the decreasing production costs, have taken the attention of oil companies to Black Sea Basin. The Basin is known to contain significant amount of natural gas reserves as well as oil. The recent discoveries in the region are proofs of the high hydrocarbon potential of the Black Sea. As you well know, the Black Sea deep offshore drilling has aready been started in the beginning of this year, following an intense seismic programme.

Turkey is an Energy Hub in between the suppliers and the consumers. The international 'Black Sea 2nd Oil and Gas Summit 2010' certainly will speed up the exposure of the the resources and cooperation opportunities. The annual meeting of the 'Ad Hoc Working Group on the Exploration and Exploitation of the Hydrocarbon Resources in the Black Sea' which is a subgroup of the 'Black Sea Economic Corporation (BSEC)' will be held just after the Summit, and will have the opportunity to discuss new cooperation issues with the information provided during the event.

I strongly believe that this event will provide an efficient and effective communication platform for the institutions and companies already operating in the Black Sea Region as well as many others who are planning to enter and invest in that promising region. BSOGS 2010 will bring together the Ministers, high level officials, experts and representatives of the energy sector; presenting an opportunity to discuss political, economic and scientific developments for cooperation and contribute to creating an investment base for national and international companies with BSEC Countries.

Many national and international participants are expected to join this Summit. The presentations by the senior key note speakers, will address interesting topics about exploration, development, production, drilling, transportation, refining, environment, and economic / political issues. These keynote speeches will provide the participants to get first hand information.

It will be great pleasure to see you in the European Capital of Culture 2010, Istanbul in the 'Black Sea 2nd Oil and Gas Summit'.

Mehmet Uysal
Chairman of the Organisation Committee