Q&A: "The SPT Nordic Conference will be held every two years"

The Scandinavian Petroleum Technic Association (SPT) is organizing the first ever SPT Nordic Conference. Niklas Nagorny, Vice-General Secretary of the association, discusses the new format, the importance of alternative fuels and why professionals from the industry should attend the event.

SPT has been organizing an event for the Swedish forecourt industry for a few years now. What made you change the format in favour of a ‘Nordic Conference’?

Interest in our Swedish-language event “Branschdagarna” has grown over the years, particularly from other Nordic countries and the Baltics. We saw an opportunity to broaden the concept and to create something which would attract a wider audience.

How will this event differ from the previous ones?

The SPT Nordic Conference will be held every two years. Our first event will be held this spring in Stockholm, the next event is likely to be held in either Oslo or Copenhagen. The list of speakers will reflect the unique opportunities and challenges that we face in the Nordic region. At each event we plan to schedule at least one speaker who will address local market issues in the local language. All other speakers will use English. In addition to the speakers and panel discussions we also integrate a small exhibition. Each event ends with a gala dinner.

Is this an event aimed exclusively at professionals from Nordic countries or are you also expecting attendants from other European countries? What value would it have for them?

We expect that the majority of our attendants will be professionals from the Nordic countries, but we also welcome attendants from the rest of Europe. One example is APEA from the United Kingdom who will attend the event and participate in the exhibition. Participants from countries outside the Nordic region have much to gain from visiting the event. Especially those who plan to enter the Nordic market, those who want to learn more about biofuels or learn more about how the Scandinavian countries are taking action to cope with and combat climate challenge.

The event consists of a conference program, a small exhibition and a dinner. What will the key topics of the event be?

The key topic is climate challenge and the ambitious goals to cope with it in the different Scandinavian countries. These goals will have a major impact on the petroleum industry in the near future, with bonus malus systems for cars and biofuel quotas for petrol and diesel on the horizon. Attendants will also get to know more about future cars fleets in the Nordic market as well as a demographic outlook in the development of the Nordic countries.

What type of companies will attendants find at the exhibition?

We expect that professionals from the entire Nordic forecourt industry will be joining us for event. This means that suppliers and oil companies will be in attendance as well as engineering companies and nearby energy alternative companies, such as biogas.

Sweden, and the Nordic countries in general, are known for their conscious approach to environmental issues and for being proactive in tackling them. Renewable diesel has become widely used while ambitious targets have been set to reduce the use of fossil fuels. What are the main reasons behind this attitude and how does it translate into the fuels industry?

The Nordic countries are blessed with beautiful nature and people from these countries are learning from an early age that it is important to protect their environment. These countries are taking a leading role as forerunners to implement solutions that reduce emissions. The local oil companies share these views and are adapting their fuels.

Will this event be a ‘one-off’ or will you be hoping to establish SPT Nordic Conference as the main event for the Nordic forecourt industry?

The aim is to establish this event as a bi-annual, well-known event for the Nordic forecourt industry taking place in a different Nordic country every two years.