One of the world's leading oil and gas Scientists has hailed Israel's "budding" energy industry as possessing the potential to match the global success of its technology sector.

Former Chief Scientist at Royal Dutch Shell, Dr. Harold J. Vinegar was today announced as Chair of the Universal Oil & Gas 2014 Dead Sea Conference and Exhibition (UOG 2014), which takes place in Israel later this year. He took this opportunity to urge the international oil and gas industry to take note of the significant potential Israel has to become a major force in the energy market.

“These are very exciting times for Israel’s budding energy industry. The same qualities which made Israel's high-tech sector a global success story could lead its energy sector to similar success.”

Dr. Vinegar is presently Chief Scientist of Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI), Afek Israel Oil & Gas and Genie Oil & Gas. He has been at the forefront of realising the future potential of the unconventional market and has lead a number of pioneering onshore exploration programmes in Israel, including a game-changing oil shale project.

Tags: Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI)