Energy experts gather to discuss global challenges and showcase the latest petroleum advances under the show theme “Energy for more people.”
Nell L. Benton, Associate Editor
The ONS 2010 petroleum show provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of the political, economic and technological challenges—and solutions—surrounding the international oil and gas industry. From its earlier focus on offshore technology and the Norwegian Continental Shelf (hence the acronym for Offshore Northern Seas), ONS has incorporated broader energy issues while maintaining its focus on the petroleum industry. This year’s show highlights global energy solutions, renewables and the role of young professionals in the industry.
ONS at a glance. Currently in its 35th year, the biennial conference will be held Aug. 24–27 in Stavanger, Norway. ONS 2010 is not a technical conference. The show includes an exhibition, a conference and a cultural festival, and provides heads of government, ministers, senior and middle management, technical specialists and analysts from all over the world the opportunity to participate in discussion forums and combine business with networking.
A new record will be set this year as, for the first time ever, there will be more than 215,300 sq ft of exhibition space. More than 40,000 people from over 100 countries visited ONS 2008, and more than 1,200 international exhibitors are expected at this year’s conference and exhibition, which is themed “Energy for more people.” The theme, proposed by Steinar Våge, ONS international committee chair and managing director at ConocoPhillips Norge, sets the show agenda of energy efficiency and renewable resources.
In addition to the conference and exhibition, the ONS Festival 2010 will offer food and entertainment from around the world. “ONS wants to use culture as an element in housing business,” said Kjell Ursin-Smith, president and CEO of ONS. “Many elements are involved with the conference; Stavanger is a meeting place as much as an exhibition. It’s about the people; we are people driven.”
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Kjell Ursin-Smith, president and chief executive of ONS.
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What’s new. The physical space at ONS has gone through a significant redesign this year. The new CCS Park gives relevant organizations the opportunity to demonstrate the challenges, dilemmas and potential solutions related to carbon capture and storage. “This park is vitally important to the oil and gas industry, and the word needs to get out about this technology,” said Ursin-Smith. “By establishing the CCS Park, we will demonstrate how the global energy community can maintain and consolidate its position in terms of developing the most environmentally friendly means possible for the exploration, production, transport and utilization of oil and gas.”
The Renewable Energy Park has doubled in size since ONS 2008. Renewable energy is a key component of the theme of ONS 2010, Ursin-Smith says, and the increase in space reflects the priorities of the oil and gas industry, in which the environment, security of supply and ever-increasing energy demand present major challenges.
The Space and Energy Park will showcase the technology transfer between the space and energy sectors, especially how technology used in space can be applied to the subsea market.
In addition to the expanded space, ONS 2010 is focused on highlighting innovations in the oil and gas industry. Innovation Park, which was started in 2002, is hosting 20 startup companies that will showcase their newest technologies to the public. In order to exhibit in Innovation Park, companies must be approved by the ONS organizing committee and their products or services must incorporate a significant degree of advancement.
Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards, which highlight industry-leading technological advances, were first presented in 1982. The SME Innovation Award was started in 2004 as a way to allow small and medium-sized companies to be recognized for their new developments.
A new category, the “Special Innovation Award,” will be presented at ONS this year. This new award will be presented to an individual or organization that has played a significant role in the wider energy sector on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Innovation lunch. Norwegian Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Riis-Johansen and Morten Loktu, chair of the Norwegian petroleum task force OG21 board, will speak at the lunch.
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Innovation Park at ONS 2008.
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Young Professional Company Awards. Started in 2002, the Young Professional Company Awards give young leaders in the business an opportunity to express their views on the future of the industry. For companies to participate, they must select one of four or five topics related to the conference program and assemble a group of employees aged under 32 (members of both sexes and an international mix are encouraged). Each group submits a proposal as to how they intend to communicate their ideas in the form of a 15-minute presentation during the conference itself. After reviewing the proposals, the conference committee selects the four best groups. Those groups will then compete during the conference itself.
This year, Statoil ASA, Gazprom Vniigaz, ExxonMobil and Rystad Energy have been selected by the conference committee to make their team presentations on Wednesday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Aug. 26. A pre-appointed jury, consisting of five people, will select the winning team. Announcement of the winning team will be made at a special ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 26.
Themed luncheons. The themed luncheons at ONS 2010 cover the topics of safety, innovative industry advances and energy efficiency, all highlighted in this year’s conference theme. The City of Stavanger lunch, on Tuesday, Aug. 24, is by invitation only. The Innovation lunch, held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, will feature a panel discussion moderated by Siri H. Friedemann, special adviser for the Research Council of Norway, chair of the ONS 2010 Innovation Awards committee.
The safety luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 26, will focus on the worldwide perspective on health, safety and the environment in the oil and gas industry. The panel is hosted by the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) and will be moderated by PSA spokesperson Inger Anda. Speakers at the lunch include PSA Director General Magne Ognedal and University of California, Berkeley business professor Karlene H. Roberts, who will address practices that oil and gas companies and their employees can use to improve major risk management.
The HSE Performance Award will be presented at this year’s safety luncheon. Launched at the 2006 event, this award is presented by a conference jury to the candidate company that makes an impactful contribution toward promoting a healthy environment both at and around its own conference stand. Previous winners include Denmark’s Dong Energy (2008) and Norwegian electricity provider Statkraft (2006).
General sessions. ONS 2010 will feature six general sessions each morning and afternoon of the conference, from 8 a.m. to noon, and from 1:30 to 4 p.m., with the exception of the first session, which takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. and focuses on “Debating energy challenges.” Company executives, government leaders and academics will discuss the implications of a multipolar world, carbon capture and storage, renewable energy sources and new exploration frontiers. 
| TABLE 1. ONS 2010 events at a glance |
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