SPE Offshore Europe looks forward to the next 50 years

Published:  30 July, 2013

Yet challenges drive innovation, and the industry has a deserved international reputation for excellence in engineering, manufacturing and technology allowing it to operate safely and successfully in both frontier and mature basins. ‘The Next 50 Years’ is therefore an appropriate theme for the forthcoming SPE Offshore Europe biennial conference and exhibition to be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from 3-6 September 2013.

More than 48,000 visitors are expected to participate each day in the world’s largest upstream oil and gas exhibition and conference outside North America. The event is organised by the Offshore Europe Partnership, a joint venture between Reed Exhibitions Ltd and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Senior representatives from the global industry, UK and international governments and academia will come together to lead the sessions during the four-day event which is free to attend for all registrants.

Malcolm Webb, SPE Offshore Europe 2013 chairman and chief executive of industry association Oil and Gas UK says: “The conference will be forward looking, extending the far too short a time frame frequently expressed around the offshore oil and gas industry’s potential future. We are extending the producing life of many existing fields and numerous new developments will continue to come on stream in the future. We also have a magnificent supply chain operating both in the UK province and internationally. A huge selection of these goods and services will be on display in the largest exhibition of the show’s history.”

Over the four days of the conference there will be a series of panel sessions, technical sessions, topical lunches and breakfast briefings. The forward-looking panel sessions will feature a mix of senior representatives from international operating companies and contractors, as well as government regulators and politicians. Topics to be covered range from industry progress since Macondo, taking operations to frontier areas and financing through to safety, skills, technology, decommissioning and drilling. Papers presented at the technical sessions will address the technological challenges of field life extension and new frontier exploration and development. Breakfast and lunch briefings will also span a broad range of issues ranging from energy markets and UK energy policy to safety and skills.

The sold-out exhibition halls will be full of exploration and production companies from around the world showcasing their technologies, services and expertise. Over 1500 organisations are expected this year, including over 250 companies exhibiting for the first time at the show. It sees the complete supply chain of companies including operators, drilling contractors and oilfield service companies. With 13 operators taking stands, this is the largest operator presence in the history of the event. Reflective of the global nature of the industry as a whole there is a large international exhibitor presence with participating companies from over 36 countries and 33 international pavilions. Large delegations are expected from Brazil, Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

With so many industry leaders and influencers under one roof, there are ample opportunities to network and catch up with colleagues from around the world. Comments Matthias Bichsel, Shell’s Projects and Technology Director: “Offshore Europe is still one of the world’s premier events for establishing business relationships in the oil & gas industry.”

A new ‘Energy Festival’ is planned for the week of the show, hosted by Aberdeen City Council. It will include a series of exciting evening events and will allow the show to carry on into the evening with plenty more opportunities to network, socialise and enjoy Europe’s energy capital, Aberdeen.

Visit www.offshore-europe.co.uk for more information.