Akadémia Sporthotel Balatonfüred ****
8230 Balatonfüred, Horváth Mihály utca 66.
Day
Hour
Minute
Second
Date:
December 8-9, 2026
Venue:
Balatonfüred Congress Center
Welcome
On behalf of MVM Group, we are pleased to welcome you to the 56th International Gas Conference. For decades, the conference has been a key meeting point for the gas industry, bringing together leading experts and decision-makers from Hungary and across the international energy community. Today, it ranks among Hungary’s most prominent energy events and is one of the largest gas conferences in Central and Eastern Europe. Each year, the programme explores the key issues facing the natural gas market and the wider gas industry, while also looking ahead to the global trends and developments that will shape the sector in the years to come.
This year’s conference will focus on the following key topics:
• Gas in the Multipolar Global Order: Markets and Geopolitical Powers
• Role of Natural Gas Beyond 2040: A Transitional or Long-Term Energy Source?
• LNG and New Models for European Security of Supply
• Green Gases (Biomethane, Hydrogen): A Scalable Solution or a Niche Market?
• Dilemmas Reducing Invisible Emissions: Technology in the Gas Industry
Beyond the conference sessions, we place a strong emphasis on networking and informal exchange, making the breaks and social programmes an important part of the overall conference experience.
Meet us in Balatonfüred on 8–9 December 2026! Discover our speakers and stay up to date with the latest programme, registration and conference information.
This year’s conference will focus on the following key topics:
• Gas in the Multipolar Global Order: Markets and Geopolitical Powers
• Role of Natural Gas Beyond 2040: A Transitional or Long-Term Energy Source?
• LNG and New Models for European Security of Supply
• Green Gases (Biomethane, Hydrogen): A Scalable Solution or a Niche Market?
• Dilemmas Reducing Invisible Emissions: Technology in the Gas Industry
Beyond the conference sessions, we place a strong emphasis on networking and informal exchange, making the breaks and social programmes an important part of the overall conference experience.
Meet us in Balatonfüred on 8–9 December 2026! Discover our speakers and stay up to date with the latest programme, registration and conference information.
Recap
News
2026. 10. 16. - 09:58
Early bird ends in 7 days!
Secure your place at a special early bird rate at one of Hungary’s leading gas industry conferences, taking place on 8–9 December 2026 at the Balatonfüred Congress Center.
Early bird registration deadline: 23 October 2026
Don't miss your chance to register at the discounted rate!
Program
Time
Programme
Speakers
08:00 - 09:00
Arrival, coffee and registration
09:00 - 09:20
Patron's welcome speech
09:20 - 09:40
Opening remarks
Speaker to be announced.
09:40 - 10:00
Opening keynote speech
Speaker to be announced.
10:00 - 11:15
Panel discussion 1. - GAS IN A MULTIPOLAR WORLD: GEOPOLITICS REWRITING MARKETS
More speakers to be announced soon.
11:15 - 11:25
Presentation
Speaker to be announced.
11:25 - 12:40
Panel discussion 2. - DOES GAS HAVE A FUTURE AFTER 2040 in EU
Focus: Natural Gas vs. Renewables vs. Regulation. - Participants to be announced.
12:40 - 13:40
LUNCH & NETWORKING
13:40 - 14:55
Panel discussion 3. - GAS WITHOUT BORDERS? THE FUTURE OF LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES
Key Question: Can Gas Remain Competitive Without Access to the Sea?
14:55 - 16:10
Panel discussion 4. - LNG: EUROPE’S LIFELINE OF A TEMPORARY FIX?
Key Question: Strategic Pillar or Temporary Necessity? - More speakers to be announced soon.
16:10 - 16:30
Networkig coffee break
16:30 - 17:45
Panel discussion 5. - GREEN GASES: SCALABLE SOLUTION OR NICHE?
Key Question: A Real Alternative or Just a Narrative? - More speakers to be announced soon.
19:00 - 21:00
Conference dinner
21:00 - 01:00
Networking, evening program
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
Arrival, coffee and registration
08:00:00-09:00:00
Patron's welcome speech
09:00:00-09:20:00
Opening remarks
09:20:00-09:40:00
Speakers
Speaker to be announced.
Opening keynote speech
09:40:00-10:00:00
Speakers
Speaker to be announced.
Panel discussion 1. - GAS IN A MULTIPOLAR WORLD: GEOPOLITICS REWRITING MARKETS
10:00:00-11:15:00
More speakers to be announced soon.
Speakers
Presentation
11:15:00-11:25:00
Speakers
Speaker to be announced.
Panel discussion 2. - DOES GAS HAVE A FUTURE AFTER 2040 in EU
11:25:00-12:40:00
Focus: Natural Gas vs. Renewables vs. Regulation. - Participants to be announced.
Speakers
LUNCH & NETWORKING
12:40:00-13:40:00
Panel discussion 3. - GAS WITHOUT BORDERS? THE FUTURE OF LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES
13:40:00-14:55:00
Key Question: Can Gas Remain Competitive Without Access to the Sea?
Speakers
Panel discussion 4. - LNG: EUROPE’S LIFELINE OF A TEMPORARY FIX?
14:55:00-16:10:00
Key Question: Strategic Pillar or Temporary Necessity? - More speakers to be announced soon.
Speakers
Networkig coffee break
16:10:00-16:30:00
Panel discussion 5. - GREEN GASES: SCALABLE SOLUTION OR NICHE?
16:30:00-17:45:00
Key Question: A Real Alternative or Just a Narrative? - More speakers to be announced soon.
Speakers
Conference dinner
19:00:00-21:00:00
Networking, evening program
21:00:00-01:00:00
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
08:30 - 10:00
Arrival, coffee, registration
10:15 - 10:35
Patron’s welcome speech
10:35 - 10:55
Presentation
Ideológia helyett gyakorlat: a földgáz valódi szerepe
Dr. Gábor Czepek
10:55 - 11:15
Presentation
11:15 - 12:15
Panel discussion 1.
Topic for Panel Discussion: New Trading Strategies in Central and Eastern Europe
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
12:15 - 13:25
Lunch break
13:25 - 13:45
Presentation: AI Innovations in the Gas Industry
Future Technologies for Efficiency and Sustainability
(The panel discussion will be held in Hungarian.)
13:45 - 14:45
Panel Discussion 2.
Topic for Panel Discussion: Critical Role of Infrastructure in the Energy Market Transition
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
Szabolcs I. Ferencz
14:45 - 15:45
Panel discussion 3.
Topic for Panel Discussion: From Vision to Reality: Establishing Next-Level Trading Hubs
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
Moderator: Attila Weinhardt
15:45 - 16:15
Coffe break
16:15 - 16:35
Presentation
Title: SOCAR’s Pathway to Energy Transition (The presentation will be held in English.)
16:35 - 17:35
Panel discussion 4.
Topic for Panel Discussion: How to Build a Sustainable Future?
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
17:55 - 19:15
Facultative program
Resting time, preparing for dinner
19:15 - 01:15
Networking, gala dinner, evening programme (DJ)
At the end of the day and after a short break, we warmly welcome you to a pleasant dinner at the Congress Center. During dinner, you will have the opportunity to continue discussing the professional topics of the day in an informal setting, build new relationships, and engage in inspiring conversations—all accompanied by delicious drinks and food. The evening will end with an informal program at Helka Balatonfüred (a 4-minute walk away), but a shuttle service will also be available for participants.
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
Arrival, coffee, registration
08:30:00-10:00:00
Patron’s welcome speech
10:15:00-10:35:00
Presentation
10:35:00-10:55:00
Ideológia helyett gyakorlat: a földgáz valódi szerepe
Speakers
Dr. Gábor Czepek
Presentation
10:55:00-11:15:00
Panel discussion 1.
11:15:00-12:15:00
Topic for Panel Discussion: New Trading Strategies in Central and Eastern Europe
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
Lunch break
12:15:00-13:25:00
Presentation: AI Innovations in the Gas Industry
13:25:00-13:45:00
Future Technologies for Efficiency and Sustainability
(The panel discussion will be held in Hungarian.)
Panel Discussion 2.
13:45:00-14:45:00
Topic for Panel Discussion: Critical Role of Infrastructure in the Energy Market Transition
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
Speakers
Szabolcs I. Ferencz
Panel discussion 3.
14:45:00-15:45:00
Topic for Panel Discussion: From Vision to Reality: Establishing Next-Level Trading Hubs
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
Speakers
Moderator: Attila Weinhardt
Coffe break
15:45:00-16:15:00
Presentation
16:15:00-16:35:00
Title: SOCAR’s Pathway to Energy Transition (The presentation will be held in English.)
Panel discussion 4.
16:35:00-17:35:00
Topic for Panel Discussion: How to Build a Sustainable Future?
(The panel discussion will be held in English.)
Facultative program
17:55:00-19:15:00
Resting time, preparing for dinner
Networking, gala dinner, evening programme (DJ)
19:15:00-01:15:00
At the end of the day and after a short break, we warmly welcome you to a pleasant dinner at the Congress Center. During dinner, you will have the opportunity to continue discussing the professional topics of the day in an informal setting, build new relationships, and engage in inspiring conversations—all accompanied by delicious drinks and food. The evening will end with an informal program at Helka Balatonfüred (a 4-minute walk away), but a shuttle service will also be available for participants.
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
08:30 - 09:05
Arrival, coffee
09:05 - 09:30
Warm-up Speech: Fueling Laughter
A Stand-up on Sustainability
09:30 - 10:30
Panel Discussion
Topic for Panel Discussion: Shifting Consumer Patterns and Market Trends
10:40 - 11:10
Coffee break
11:10 - 11:30
Technical section - Presentation 1.
Hidrogénálló gázátadó állomás létesítése a FLUMEN-II projekt keretében
11:30 - 11:50
Technical section - Presentation 2.
Tárolók villamos hálózati kiegyensúlyozásban való részvételének lehetőségeinek bemutatása
11:50 - 12:10
Technical section - presentation 3.
Metánkibocsátás rendelet elosztói hatásai
12:10 - 12:30
Technical section - Presentation 4.
Topic:The role of natural gas-fired power plants in the electricity system.
(The presentation will be held in Hungarian.)
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch, end of the conference
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
Arrival, coffee
08:30:00-09:05:00
Warm-up Speech: Fueling Laughter
09:05:00-09:30:00
A Stand-up on Sustainability
Panel Discussion
09:30:00-10:30:00
Topic for Panel Discussion: Shifting Consumer Patterns and Market Trends
Coffee break
10:40:00-11:10:00
Technical section - Presentation 1.
11:10:00-11:30:00
Hidrogénálló gázátadó állomás létesítése a FLUMEN-II projekt keretében
Technical section - Presentation 2.
11:30:00-11:50:00
Tárolók villamos hálózati kiegyensúlyozásban való részvételének lehetőségeinek bemutatása
Technical section - presentation 3.
11:50:00-12:10:00
Metánkibocsátás rendelet elosztói hatásai
Technical section - Presentation 4.
12:10:00-12:30:00
Topic:The role of natural gas-fired power plants in the electricity system.
(The presentation will be held in Hungarian.)
Lunch, end of the conference
12:30:00-13:30:00
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
09:30 - 10:00
Arrival, coffee
10:00 - 10:40
Morning warm-up session - The Next Energy Crisis Could Start With a Keyboard
10:40 - 11:00
Smart Gas Networks in Practice – Operation and Experience
Presentation language: Hungarian.
11:00 - 11:20
Hydrogen Storage Projects at Hungarian Gas Storage: Practical Experience and Lessons Learned
Presentation language: Hungarian. An overview of practical experience gained from the development, implementation and operation of projects focused on hydrogen-based energy storage and the preparation for underground hydrogen storage.
Key Focus Areas:
- The role of gas storage operators in electricity system flexibility and balancing services
- Development and implementation of hydrogen-related projects
- Preparatory work towards underground hydrogen storage
- Current developments, operational experience and key lessons learned
11:20 - 11:40
When Data Drives Energy: From Cloud to AI-Powered Decisions. - Presentation language: Hungarian.
What technological capabilities—from data integration and cloud infrastructure to machine learning models—are needed to enable truly data-driven decision-making in an energy company, with a focus on practical lessons learned and common pitfalls.
11:40 - 12:00
Biomethane in practice - Bridging Supply and Demand (english presentation)
Investment decisions, grid integration, technology, and key success factors for a circular value chain.
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch, end of the conference
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
Arrival, coffee
09:30:00-10:00:00
Morning warm-up session - The Next Energy Crisis Could Start With a Keyboard
10:00:00-10:40:00
Speakers
Smart Gas Networks in Practice – Operation and Experience
10:40:00-11:00:00
Presentation language: Hungarian.
Speakers
Hydrogen Storage Projects at Hungarian Gas Storage: Practical Experience and Lessons Learned
11:00:00-11:20:00
Presentation language: Hungarian. An overview of practical experience gained from the development, implementation and operation of projects focused on hydrogen-based energy storage and the preparation for underground hydrogen storage.
Key Focus Areas:
- The role of gas storage operators in electricity system flexibility and balancing services
- Development and implementation of hydrogen-related projects
- Preparatory work towards underground hydrogen storage
- Current developments, operational experience and key lessons learned
Speakers
When Data Drives Energy: From Cloud to AI-Powered Decisions. - Presentation language: Hungarian.
11:20:00-11:40:00
What technological capabilities—from data integration and cloud infrastructure to machine learning models—are needed to enable truly data-driven decision-making in an energy company, with a focus on practical lessons learned and common pitfalls.
Speakers
Biomethane in practice - Bridging Supply and Demand (english presentation)
11:40:00-12:00:00
Investment decisions, grid integration, technology, and key success factors for a circular value chain.
Lunch, end of the conference
12:00:00-13:00:00
The majority of presentations and panel discussions will be held in English. English interpretation will be available for sessions held in Hungarian, with headsets provided at the entrance.
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
The Organisers reserve the right to change the programme! The event is not open to the press!
Speakers
Gábor Orbán
CEO
MVM ONEnergy
László Fritsch
Deputy CEO, CCO
MVM ONEnergy
Fuad Sultanov
General Director
Southern Gas Corridor CJSC
Szabolcs I. Ferencz
Chairman and CEO
FGSZ Ltd.
Zsolt Jamniczky
Deputy CEO, Customer Solutions
E.ON Hungária Zrt.
László Varró
Vice President Strategy Insights & Scenarios
Shell International
Mario Matković
Head of Division
MET Central Europe
Eszter Szekeres
CEO
MET Hungary Ltd., MET Central Europe
Gottfried Steiner
Chief Executive Officer
Central European Gas Hub AG
Menelaos (Mel) Ydreos
Secretary General
International Gas Union
Annamária Fehér
Head of Green Gas Division, Chair of NOC IGRC2027
MVM ONEnergy
Magdolna Tokai
Deputy CEO for International Relations and Corporate Services
Alteo
Romain de La Tournelle
Director LNG Long Term Marketing & Origination
TotalEnergies
Zoltán Jászberényi
CEO
NRGWorks Ltd
Andras Jenei
Partner
Well to wheel Consulting
Borbála Takácsné Tóth
senior research associate
BCE REKK
Maria Olczak
Senior Research Fellow
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
Brendan A'Hearn
CEE gas market specialist
I.C.I.S
Lajos Erdélyi
Head of Corporate Affairs
Hungarian Gas Storage Ltd.
Áron Varga
Head of Data Intelligence
MVM ONEnergy
Tamás Kovács
Head of New Gases Origination Department Chairman of the Renewable Gas Working Committee
MVM ONEnergy Ltd., Hungarian Renewable Energy Association MMESZ (HREA)
Dr. Csaba Krasznay
Cybersecurity expert, lecturer and researcher
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME)
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Sponsors
Exhibitors
Recommended hotels
Hotel Margaréta ****
8230 Balatonfüred, Széchenyi utca 53.
Danubius Hotel Marina *** Superior
8230 Balatonfüred, Széchenyi utca 22.
Hotel Füred Spa & Conference ****
8230 Balatonfüred, Széchenyi utca 20.
Hotel Flamingo Wellness és Konferencia ****
8230 Balatonfüred, Széchenyi utca 16.
Boutique Hotel Annuska
8230 Balatonfüred, Jókai Mór utca 24.
Hotel Golden Lake Resort **** Superior
8230 Balatonfüred, Zákonyi Ferenc utca 4.
BIRGÉS Hotel Lifestyle & View **** Superior
8230 Balatonfüred, Zákonyi Ferenc utca 8.
Danubius Hotel Annabella ****
8230 Balatonfüred, Deák Ferenc utca 25.
Hotel Aura ****
8230 Balatonfüred, Munkácsy Mihály utca 5.
Hotel Vinifera Wine & Spa *****
8230 Balatonfüred, Mikes Kelemen utca 21.
Anna Grand Hotel *****
8230 Balatonfüred, Gyógy tér 1.