The commitment to accelerate the energy transition is gathering pace, as operators and technology developers at SPE Offshore Europe 2019 said they would invest in a more sustainable energy mix
In another encouraging sign that the energy industry continues to emerge from the downturn, more than 38,000 visitors attended the show.
The industry’s entire exploration and production supply chain was showcased at OE19, with 950 exhibitors, including 125 new names from small innovators to global service companies, on the exhibition floor.
Michael Borrell, senior vice-president the North Sea and Russia at Total, and chair of SPE Offshore Europe, said, “Offshore Europe 2019 has been a great success. We’ve had some great debates about our future, especially about the energy transition and our license to operate. I think the energy and ideas of the conference will carry on into our work in the future.”
The conference included 12 keynote sessions and 86 technical papers, which attracted thousands of delegates.
Phil Chandler, director, Europe and Caspian events at SPE, added, “Across the conference programme we have heard that the oil and gas, and renewables sectors are developing and delivering strategies responding to key challenges in terms of not only the transition; but also late life and decommissioning; decarbonisation; standardisation; digitisation and diversity.
“Encouraging the next generation is a crucial element of Offshore Europe and, through SPE Inspire and OPITO’s Energise Your Future programme the show has also provided vital opportunities for young people to visualise the options available to them as they consider a career in this exciting industry,” he added.
Delegates represented 119 countries, with 37 countries among the exhibitors on the show floor, including Singapore, China, Nigeria, Guyana and Brazil. There were 14 international pavilions, including Canada, the US, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and Italy.
Some 16 per cent of the visitors to the show represented independent companies, both national and international.
Fraser Collis, general manager at UCS, an Ashtead Technology company and OE exhibitor, commented, “OE came at a great time for underwater cutting solutions as we announced the company’s acquisition by Ashtead Technology at the show. Completing the deal during the show provided us with a great platform to discuss our combined capabilities as we grow our inspection, maintenance and repair, and decommissioning capabilities globally.”
Neil Slater, head of external relations at DNV GL – oil and gas, which launched its ‘Probabilistic Digital Twin’ concept at the show, concluded, “Given the industry’s push towards a low-carbon future, it was encouraging to see such a prominent focus on the energy transition.”
