Welcome
Although the Middle East market has remained resilient through the downturn, this region continues to face challenges around workforce development, drilling efficiency, safety and security, and equipment maintenance.
The 2026 IADC Drilling Middle East Conference & Exhibition will bring together industry leaders and drilling professionals to discuss such challenges and share best practices. Cutting-edge technology advances, including drilling automation, will be featured, as will case studies of relevant technical achievements. The premier event also will highlight evolving approaches to safety and training, providing practical information on new tools and processes that can be used to improve HSE performance.
Photos From Last Event
2025 Event Demographics
Registrants by Job Title
- Company Owner/Corporate Officer
- Completion Engineer
- Complimentary
- Drilling & Completion Engineer
- Drilling & Completion Operations
- Drilling Engineer
- Geologist/Geophysicist
- Library/Miscellaneous
- Management
- Quality, Health, Safety & Environment
- Student
- Training/Education
Delegates
Speakers
Exhibitors
Sponsors
Registrants by Location
- Registrants
Registrants by Company Type
- Equipment Manufacturer
- Land Drilling Contractor
- Land/Offshore Drilling Contractor
- National Oil Company
- Offshore Drilling Contractor
- Oilfield Service/Consultant
- Training
This event is advertised in industry publications media including:
We thank you for your support!
The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) is a non-profit organization. Income from this event will be invested back into other IADC initiatives we develop to serve the drilling industry to connect, share knowledge, tackle common problems and develop solutions to critical issues in different parts of the world. By participating in an IADC event you will be improving and supporting your own industry.
IADC provides web links as a member service. IADC does not warranty or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the information, content, or advertisements contained on websites linked to IADC.org or any of its subsidiary pages.
Venue & Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche
Reservation link will be made available soon.
Address: Corniche Road – Al Bateen – W43 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 681 1900
Negotiated Room Rate: AED 825.00 per room per night, including breakfast.
• Rates are inclusive of all tourism fees & municipality taxes
• Rates are inclusive of 5% VAT applied on Room Rate+ Service charge;
• Any additional taxes, fees, levies and/or surcharges imposed by the Governement authorities, and as and when they are effective, shall be applicable in addition to the rates and any other applicable charges mentioned in this agreement.
WARNING!
Please note that there are several 3rd party companies actively approaching conference delegates and exhibitors by phone and email trying to sell hotel rooms at the contracted hotel for a cheaper rate than the published rate on this conference website. Please note that these companies do not represent IADC or the hotel, nor has IADC or the hotel authorized them to use their names or trademarks on information they send out to exhibitors and delegates.
To avoid being a victim of fraud, please do not give out your credit card details to any other party and be sure to make your hotel reservations exclusively through the contracted hotel.
Venue Details
Registration Information
Registration fee: IADC Member: US $1000.- Non-Member: US $1250.-
NOTE: IADC has updated our wire account. If sending payment via wire, please ensure you use the account listed on the above registration form.
- Federal government employees may be eligible for a 50% discount on conference registration.
- Speakers, sponsors and guests are not eligible for online registration.
(Please contact europe@iadc.org to obtain the correct registration form) - IADC offers discounted registration to full time students not currently employed in industry. Please contact europe@iadc.org for further information.
- For package deals for multiple registrations (excluded speakers, session chairs/moderators, program committee), please contact europe@iadc.org
- No refunds will be made for cancellations 30 days prior to the conference date.
- In order to receive a letter of invitation, IADC requires a completed registration form and advance payment. Please contact europe@iadc.org.
Photographs/Filming at Conference:
While registering for an IADC event you consent to filming, photography and/or live streaming.
We understand that there are situations where you wish to participate in our activities but still want to avoid being in any pictures or videos. Our request to you is that you make your wishes known to our staff at the IADC registration desk upon entering.
Also, we will do our best to inform anyone entering our premises about best practices around taking pictures and videos, but we cannot be held responsible for third party photo/video processing done by other guests and customers.
Press Policy
Complimentary press registration is limited to one (1) person per company. This individual must be a titled editor, writer, reporter or other bona fide editorial representative of a legitimate industry or consumer publication. Publishers and sales and marketing specialists are excluded from this complimentary registration practice and must pay the full conference registration fee to attend an event.
NO UNAUTHORIZED PHOTOS, VIDEOS OR RECORDING ALLOWED.
Recording in any form (audio, video, still photography, etc.) of presentations and/or speakers during sessions, poster presentations, workshops, etc., without the express written consent of IADC and the party to be recorded is strictly prohibited. *Those who do not comply with the Recording Equipment/Photo policy may be asked to leave the premises and barred from receiving complimentary press registration for future IADC events.
Press registration must be received 1 week prior to the event to ensure entrance. Members of the press will be identified with a green press ribbon attached to their name badge.
Need Help? Europe@iadc.org / + 31.24.675.2252
Call for Abstracts (Deadline: 16 March 2026)
Join us for the IADC Drilling Middle East 2026 Conference & Exhibition taking place 29-30 September at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This premier event is designed for drilling professionals across engineering, management, operations, and early-career disciplines. Together, we will catalyze meaningful improvements in the drilling industry’s performance.
The IADC Drilling Middle East 2026 Conference & Exhibition will emphasize both the immediate challenges and opportunities the drilling industry faces today and the long-term issues shaping its future.
IADC invites submission of abstracts for new and practical solutions aimed at improving industry performance. Presentations that focus on lessons learned and how those lessons point toward a way forward will be particularly valued; how the lessons of yesterday and today can shape a vision for tomorrow. Also, presentations that pose thought-provoking questions to stimulate earnest discussion are especially welcome.
General subject themes envisioned for the event include the following:
Energy Expansion
- Drilling in the public eye
- ESG
- Future energy mix (e.g. hydrocarbons, geothermal, CCS)
- Major project collaborations (e.g. green rigs)
- Pathways to a sustainable, low-carbon drilling industry (incl. climate change, regulatory pressure and carbon neutrality)
Near-Term Market Challenges
- Contracts
- Globalization: Learn from other company experiences
- Managing aging rig fleets (life extension, reactivation, digital and decarbonization upgrades)
- Operator/contractor partnership
- Procurement challenges in Drilling & Completions
- Project planning, implementation and development
Longer-Term Industry Challenges
- Energy integration on rigs and in the well construction system
- The Green Rig – what would it look like?
- Industry 4.0
- Preparing for future global events (e.g. another pandemic)
- Reducing environmental impact – lessons learned
- Reinvigorating a new build cycle, capturing lessons
- Utilization of alternative vessels reducing the need for drilling rigs
Local Content
- Barriers
- HSE challenges
- Local compliance & legal issues
- OEM vs. non-OEM
- Regional economic and political drivers
- Regional supplies, repairs and services
- Re-starting rigs
- Rules in regional markets
- VAT, IKTVA, ICV, and other tax related issues and their implications
Quality, Health, Safety, Security & Environment
- Adherence to HSE policies and procedure
- Case histories
- Crew change and movement of people challenges
- Cybersecurity
- Environmental regulations & best practices
- Onshore/offshore rig moves
- Pandemic preparedness
- Process safety
- Regulatory compliance and impact
- Re-starting rigs
- Road safety
Human Resources
- Dealing with difficult people
- Developing, managing and retaining competence
- Diversity
- Hands-on process assurance (OJT) and result measurements
- Human factors
- Knowledge transfer process
- Learning for the future
- Preparing the workforce for automation, remote operations and AI-enabled tools
- Using data analysis to improve competence development
- Utilizing “about to retire” or “retired” expertise
- Workforce nationalization/localization
- Young leaders
Technology & Innovation
- Artificial Intelligence & machine learning
- Assurance of technical integrity of assets
- Automation, mechanization and big data challenges
- Coiled tubing drilling and casing while drilling (CWD)
- Cost-reducing techniques
- Drilling & completions challenges
- Equipment maintenance challenges
- Innovative training and simulation technologies
- Managed pressure drilling
- PLC control systems integration on rigs
- Trend-identification software
- Well control (e.g. risk management, advanced well control, unconventional wells, drilling challenges)
TIPS FOR A GOOD ABSTRACT AND PRESENTATION:
Communicate the strategic value of your proposal. Use Case Studies to the greatest extent possible. Conclude the presentation by summarizing the “Big Idea” encapsulated in your talk and its ultimate impact.
NOTE: Authors are invited to submit proposals for presentations at the conference. Authors of selected presentations may be asked to participate in panel discussions.
Abstracts must be submitted to IADC no later than 16 March 2026. Authors of selected abstracts will receive confirmation and guidelines by mid-April 2026. Please note that additional papers will be accepted and published in the proceedings but are not required for presentation at this conference. Prior to abstract submission, management clearance must be obtained. Any issues concerning clearance should be identified at the time of submission.
We look forward to your participation and hope to see you at this important event!
Conference Program Committee
- Fares Abdullah, Nabors Drilling
- Hilal Al Hinai, Petroleum Development Oman
- Noor Alenezi, Baker Hughes
- Saleh Al-Harbi, Saudi Aramco
- Salah Al-Harthy, Abraj Energy
- Abdulilah Al-Malki, Saudi Aramco
- Ibrahim Al-Meshref, ARO Drilling
- Nezar Altaraif, Bapco Upstream
- Ashley Anderson, Olympus Marine Services
- Billy Arnold, ARM
- Wayne Bauer, Vantage Drilling
- Gary Castell, RigQuip
- Mansur Damiev, Baker Hughes
- Nikolay Dimitrov, H&P
- Amr El Sharkawy, PrimaDrill
- Barnabe Foyan Suriyaprakan, Shelf Drilling
- Nata Franco, SLB
- Chris French, The REACH Group
- Mohamed Housny, Drillmec
- Liban Hussein-Ismail, SANAD
- Farid Khamchane, H&P
- Amira Maza, Noble Corporation
- Doug McEwan, Borr Drilling
- Julio Sala Martin del Campo, Precision Drilling
- Daniel Semerjian, NOV
- Andrew Stratton, IRE
- Salman Yusuf, Ensign Energy Services
- Wael Ziadat, Corva
- Hisham Zebian, IADC
Exhibition Information
Cost for the 3 x 2 meter Space + 2 complimentary registrations is US $ 3.500.
The space will be set with a skirted table, two chairs and access to electricity. With the space, you receive 2 complimentary conference registrations and up to 2 additional registrations at half price (US $ 500).
Exhibitions at IADC events will be limited to showcasing products and services that advance technology, competency or HSE. Exhibitions centered on recruitment or employment should not take space at IADC events. IADC Exhibitions will solely be visited by conference attendees. Non-conference attendees are not allowed to enter the exhibition area.
Please note that IADC Global Membership is required for booking an exhibition space at an IADC event (Chapter membership not eligible for exhibition).
For more information please contact us at europe@iadc.org or phone: +31.24.675.2252.
Exhibition space is being allocated on a first come, first served basis!
Exhibitors
Sponsorship
There are four levels of sponsoring: Diamond sponsors, Platinum Sponsors, Gold Sponsors, and Silver Sponsors. Event sponsorships are also available and will be categorized by monetary contribution with the appropriate level of sponsorship. Please find the benefits of the sponsor packages below. The conference sponsor will receive high profile recognition before, during and after the conference.
Diamond
$25.000
(10 Comps*)
Platinum
$15,000
(5 Comps*)
Gold
$10,000
(3 Comps*)
Silver
$7,500
(2 Comps*)
Event
Reception $10.000
(3 Comps*)
Event
Luncheon $8.000
(2 Comps*)
Event
Conference App $5,000
(1 Comp*)
Event
SOLD OUT
(1 Comp*)
*Comps refer to number of complimentary registration
Note: no refunds for cancellations of sponsorships will be issued.
For more information and sponsor bookings please contact us at europe@iadc.org or phone: +31.24.675.2252
Silver Sponsors
Event Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
Learn more about IADC Conference sponsorship.