Record Offshore Europe event sets new standard

The premier international oil event Offshore Europe has proven to be a record-breaker once again, achieving a highest ever attendance figure in excess of 35,000 in Aberdeen this month

With an outstanding conference programme featuring a virtual 'Who's Who' of individuals from the upper echelons of the upstream industry, and OE2007 exhibition attracting 1,455 exhibiting companies from around the world, the show held from 4-7 September in Aberdeen has been declared an "outstanding success".

The Offshore Europe Partnership is a joint venture between Reed Spearhead Exhibitions (RSX) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

Event Director Paul Wilson of Reed Spearhead Exhibitions said: "This has been a great show for everyone involved, and we're delighted that it has once again attracted so many delegates and exhibitors from around the world.

Subject to final auditing, the attendance figures set a new all-time record, and we had substantial increases this year both in people pre-registering and onsite.

We have continued since the last show in 2005 to further establish the event focus and reputation as a leading international event in the European oil capital of Aberdeen, and the early feedback we've had back from our exhibitors and delegates has so far been very encouraging.

The success of OE07 is demonstrated by the large number of applications for exhibition space at OE09 we've already received, not just from our current exhibitors but also new companies that want to take part".

The Offshore Europe conference tackled global issues facing the Exploration and Production sector under the general theme 'Rediscovering The Future'.

Leading the debate was Mark Carne, Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Europe and Central Asia for BG Group, who acted as the 2007 Conference Chairman.

He was joined in the opening Plenary Session on Day 1 by Malcolm Brinded, Executive Director E+P, Royal Dutch Shell; David Lesar, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Halliburton; Robert Olsen, Chairman and Production Director, ExxonMobil; Frank Chapman, Chief Executive, BG Group; and the UK Government Scottish Office Minister David Cairns.

Mr Carne commented: "I was delighted with the way the conference and exhibition ran - from start to finish.

The conference attracted some outstanding speakers and as a result, sessions were very well attended and a number were standing room only.

We had wanted a conference that covered a broader range of issues and which created a forum for discussion.

I was therefore particularly pleased that the topic forums and the panel sessions were so successful.

"Under the banner of 'Rediscovering the Future', key issues in the industry, such as the role of IOCs, NOCs and service companies were well covered but it was very striking that climate change and developing human resources also attracted a great deal of attention and debate.

It is clear that the challenges associated with these issues are going to grow, creating both opportunities and threats for the industry.

The theme for Offshore Europe 2009 is not of course yet decided but I am sure that these two topics in particular will continue to feature strongly".

Mr Carne added: "Something that never ceases to surprise me is the sheer scale of this show.

When you come here and see it, it's an amazing event, and although I've worked in the industry for nearly 30 years now, when you walk around and you see the variety of activities that this industry is involved in, it is just awe inspiring.

Every time you walk through these halls you'll find something that will surprise you, something new that you will learn, and that's the great thing about coming to an event like Offshore Europe.

Of course our industry is a very high technology industry, and the technology is changing dramatically fast.

I remember on the first day, one of the speakers saying that 30% of their revenues were generated by technologies that had been in the market for less than 3 years.

That's a staggering achievement in our industry.

So technology changes incredibly quickly.

That's why you have to have these events.

You have to keep up.

If you don't keep up then you're not competitive, and if you're not competitive then you won't last long".

A series of other panel and technical sessions throughout the week were backed up by a comprehensive technical programme featuring papers covering subjects including Reservoir Management, Exploration, Carbon Capture and Storage, Well Technology, Well Completions, Facilities and Infrastructure (Topsides and Subsea) and Drilling.

Val Johnston-Jones, Industry Director - Energy and Marine at Reed Spearhead, added: "OE07 record number of exhibitors and visitors reflects the huge appetite of the oil and gas industry to come together to share ideas and knowledge, to learn about the latest technologies available and to share best practice.

The oil and gas industry is used to adapting to significant changes and to solving technical challenges but those changes and challenges are becoming increasingly complex.

"As the industry faces unprecedented demand for services across the whole supply chain to meet global demand, coupled with renewed exploration in ever more challenging areas, OE is a prime vehicle for players to come together to discuss the key issues and showcase the latest technology which will unlock new resources and ensure security of supply.

By visiting the exhibits, attending the conference, networking in the corridors and aisles - as well as in the Aberdeen restaurants and bars in the evenings - attendees leave the event having had their perceptions challenged and having gained an even deeper knowledge of their industry.

"This year's theme encapsulates the industry's mood: the young people who visited the show on 'Education Day' only needed to look around them to learn of the extraordinary challenges the industry presents and the enormous satisfaction that is derived by those who resolve them".

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