In fiscal 2023, COVID-19 finally subsided and led to an increase in personal interactions in relation to JCCP’s HRD Programs, Technical Cooperation Programs, and International Cooperation Projects. However, as the situation has taken on a slightly different perspective than from before the pandemic, a combination of virtual and in-person formats was used to ensure efficient operations.

The prices of crude oil and natural gas have been rising since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but as said prices are showing significant fluctuations, future price trends warrant close monitoring. This situation has led us to reaffirm the importance of stabilizing the crude oil and natural gas markets to ensure both a stable global and Japanese economy. Furthermore, as an organization assuming a role in securing a stable supply of energy for Japan, we have become more acutely aware of the need to further deepen our cooperative relationships with oil- and gas-producing countries through JCCP activities.

In fiscal 2023, all regular courses were held in in-person format following the downgrading of COVID-19 to a Category 5 infectious disease. Twenty-one regular courses were implemented directly by JCCP. They included three courses on strategic management and financial management, two on human resources, three on project management, one on carbon neutrality, one on supply chain management, three on instrumentation and DX for refinery, four on refinery facilities and LNG utilization technology, one on environment, quality, and safety management, and three on maintenance.

Although the courses were held in person as before, their quality was enhanced by effectively utilizing the infrastructure and expertise gained from conducting online courses to create a comprehensive design, from pre-program learning to information provision during the program and post-program review. Participatory activities, implemented in the form of gamification and workshops to promote interaction among participants, were also improved by reviewing the activities held in the previous year. As a result, they garnered greater participant level of satisfaction than ever before. Further upgrades were made by evolving our 3D virtual reality resources, introducing an AI platform, and utilizing other advanced DX technologies.

The researcher exchange (invitation/dispatch) program is offered with the aim of developing researchers for the development of advanced technologies in the oil downstream sector in the future, through mutually dispatching and receiving researchers between oil- and gas-producing countries and Japan.

In fiscal 2023, one researcher each from Aramco Research and Development Center and Petroleum Research & Development Center, Ministry of Oil (PRDC) was received by two university research laboratories through the researcher invitation program implemented on commission by The Japan Petroleum Institute (JPI).

JCCP supports oil- and gas-producing countries in solving technical challenges mainly in their oil downstream sector through the transfer of Japan’s technologies and expertise and the joint development and study of technologies in the form of technical cooperation projects. These projects are classified into three stages and implemented while carefully confirming their validity at each stage.

In fiscal 2023, one first-stage project finding survey (basic survey) was implemented in one country; along with eight second-stage feasibility studies (project formation study) in six countries and 14 third-stage joint projects with oil-producing countries in eight countries.

International cooperation programs aim to promote and strengthen information sharing, technical transfers, and human exchanges through direct dialogue with top management, by organizing international conferences, networking meetings, and other such activities.

[JCCP International Symposium]

The JCCP International Symposium has been held annually since JCCP’s founding, inviting leaders from oil- and gas-producing countries to deliver presentations along with executives of oil companies in Japan. The participants primarily consist of executives at the minister and vice-minister level from government agencies, management executives from national oil companies, and energy experts. Through the exchange of views and sharing of information among the leaders, the symposium casts light on issues that need to be addressed cooperatively toward Japan’s goal of securing stable supplies of oil and natural gas. It also provides a forum for human exchanges toward maintaining and strengthening Japan’s relations with oil- and gas-producing countries.

Discussion themes focus on timely topics that take into consideration the environment and circumstances surrounding the oil and gas industries in that specific year. For example, past themes have included demand-supply changes brought about by sharp increases or decreases in population, the nationalization of core human resources in oil-producing countries, the shale oil and gas revolution, the falling prices of crude oil, and the need for further responses to geopolitical and environmental issues. More recent themes have included carbon neutrality, DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion), DX (digital transformation), SX (sustainability transformation), AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the development of next-generation leaders.

The fiscal 2020 and 2021 symposiums were held in remote format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in-person interactions had been difficult during this time, participants engaged in discussions and information exchanges online.

[FCW Forum]

The Friendship Committee for Women Career Development (FCW) was established in 2015 to promote women’s empowerment and career development in the oil industries in UAE and Japan. As one of its activities, the FCW Forum is held annually to promote information exchanges.

In fiscal 2023, the 17th FCW Forum was held on October 18, 2023, in Tokyo under the main theme of “Ensuring the Future of the Sustainable Energy Industry: Our Initiatives for Diversity, Innovation and Value Creation.” Held in an in-person format, it attracted the attendance of some 120 people.

In the presence of H.E. Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates and member of the FCW board, Ms. Tayba Al Hashimi, CEO of ADNOC Offshore, gave a leader’s speech, and Ms. Shimada Yuka, co-founder and CEO of YeeY Inc., gave an inspiring talk. Both speakers provided hints and advice on the capabilities and attitudes required of female leaders.

A workshop followed the forum under the theme of “What we can do towards carbon neutrality.” Participants from

JCCP has overseas offices in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia (Al-Khobar Office) and Abu Dhabi, UAE (Middle East Office). Each office oversees a group of Middle East countries, with the Al-Khobar office in charge of affairs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain, and the Middle East office in charge of affairs in UAE, Qatar, Oman and Iran.
The principal roles of these overseas offices are to provide local support and to collect local information to enable JCCP projects to be implemented in a smooth and safe manner in the countries under their charge.