ARABELLA, South Africa, January 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

On the 25^th - 27^th February 2013, the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa, will host GDS International's much-anticipated seventh annual Next Generation Oil and Gas Africa summit (NGO&G Africa 7).

The NG Oil and Gas Africa summit comprises of an expertly researched programme that drills right to the heart of the most pressing end-user challenges, with a world-class delegation to provide critical insight. Expertly combining peer-led panel discussions with working lunches, roundtables and workshops, the NG Oil and Gas Africa summit is set to raise the standard for all other events in the region.

In attendance at this year's summit will be:  Mark Allen, Development Manager for Tullow Oil; Ray Kohut, New Ventures Drilling Manager for PetroSA; Franck Egbon, Engineering, Drilling & Completions Manager for Total; Morris Cooper, Senior Geophysicist for NOCAL; and Julien Folquet, Production Manager for Afren. This stellar line-up will be complemented by the presence of an exciting selection of sponsors, including: Invensys, CGG Veritas, WesternGeco, Mi-Swaco (A Schlumberger Company) and Nalco (an EcoLab Company).

Godwin Sweto, VP of Corporate Strategy & Planning for PetroSA, was a previous Next Generation Oil and Gas attendee. He said: "The NGO&G Summit provides a platform for IOCs, NOCs and service providers to interact and share experiences. The formal and informal sessions are structured for effectiveness. Congratulations for yet another successful summit."

Conflating this, Edward Akhigbe, Manager Environment Protection and Safety for NNPC - NAPIMS, said: "A very well thought out event, with a programme that seeks to unveil the potential of the oil and gas industry in Africa. GDS International has excellent initiative and has really promoted development for Africa and made a difference. The performance of staff was quite outstanding."

Daniel Maggs, NG Oil and Gas Africa Summit Director for GDS International, the global events company behind the event, says: "I'm really excited about the seventh annual Next Generation Oil & Gas Africa Summit. GDS International has managed to secure a superb line-up of decision makers from the majors, independents and NOCs from across the African sub-continent who will gather at the Arabella Western Cape Hotel, Hermanus, to discuss the key challenges currently facing the industry. From Tullow Oil's ambitions in Kenya and Ethiopia, to Sonangol's pre-salt challenges in Angola, the summit will provide the perfect platform for solution providers to help address these key issues. This will be the best summit to date and I look forward to meeting everyone next month in South Africa."

For more information, please visit http://www.ngoafricasummit.com

About GDS International

GDS International is one of the most innovative events and media companies worldwide - and a globally renowned producer of business-to-business summits, conferences, online information and advisory group gatherings. Founded in 1993, GDS International specialises in meeting the B2B marketing needs of our clients. Having a strong presence in mature industrial sectors but a finger on the pulse of emerging markets - as well as up-and-coming B2B business verticals - means we are perfectly placed to capitalise on the exciting developments brought about by the advent of a globalised economy. Our value proposition is simple: we deliver tangible business results from world-class events.

http://www.gdsinternational.com

Contact: Kimberley Hogarth
kimberley.hogarth@gdsinternational.com
+44-1179-261-420

SOURCE GDS International