Offshore Europe 2015: Inspiring the next generation

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Offshore Europe 2015 quick facts:

• OE celebrates 41 years in Aberdeen
• Introducing the new “Inspire” program
• Most recent event, in 2013, drew more than 63,000 attendees
• More than 1,500 exhibitors scheduled 

Although the upstream industry is mired in tough market conditions, its future depends on drawing and retaining the proper people, as well as developing more advanced technologies, both of which can be a challenge. That is why this year’s SPE Offshore Europe (OE) conference continues to draw attention to the future with the theme, “Inspiring the Next Generation.”

OE, the largest E&P event outside of the U.S., is set to take place in Aberdeen, Scotland, Sept. 8-11. To be held once again at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, this year marks 41 years for the event at this location. More than 63,000 energy professionals are expected to gather here to learn, network, and share ideas to more effectively navigate the choppy waters of the global oil and gas market.

Fig. 1. At OE 2013, keynote sessions, technical sessions, poster presentations, breakfast briefings, topical lunches, training courses, and seminars took on the theme of “The Next 50 Years,” which has fittingly allowed the matter of the future to carry on into 2015.

Over those four days, there will be a series of keynote sessions, technical sessions, topical lunches and breakfast briefings, Fig. 1. The keynote program will focus on the basic challenge of meeting energy demand, while still balancing climate change concerns, security of supply, and consumer affordability. Other topics, including health, environmental risks, and security of upstream assets will be explored as well. Through interactive panel discussions, attendees can learn about some of the latest developments in the sector.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the show’s exhibition hall (Fig. 2), “Deep Water Zone,” and an investment workshop, where more than 1,500 E&P companies will present the industry’s latest technologies and case studies, and investors can connect with technology providers.

KEYNOTE SESSIONS

Led by Keynote Committee Chairman Michael Engell-Jensen, executive director, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, 11 confirmed, free-to-attend keynote sessions are set to take place over the course of the four-day conference.

Fig. 2. The last OE conference and exhibition, held in 2013, was a truly global event, with professionals from more than 150 countries attending.

The first keynote session, “The challenge of our generation (I),” is very much in keeping with the event’s theme. The session’s purpose is to inspire the audience to rise to the challenges placed before them, as they operate in the industry. The panel, comprised of key stakeholders, will address industry challenges, including the balance of security of supply and affordability, while mitigating climate change and managing environmental and social risks.

The second session of the day, “Health Keynote,” is intended to give an overall picture of health management, from prevention, through medical personnel and equipment, to emergency management and implementation of new technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to question panelists about health in offshore operations.

On Sept. 9, the second portion of “The Challenge of our Generation” will be presented. Two security sessions, “Security of Personnel and Assets” and “IT and Cyber Security,” will then explore the many threats facing the industry, as well as methods, systems, policies and protocols that can be used by authorities to protect central systems and information.

The “Safety” session will also take place Sept. 9, revealing current initiatives in the field of prevention, including research on human factors, as well as where and how they interact with safety systems and procedures already in place. How to reduce costs without compromising safe operations also will be discussed.

Attendees can learn about what the industry has achieved as a result of collaborative projects following the Montara and Macondo oil spills at the “Subsea Well Response” and “Oil Spill Response” sessions on Sept. 10. The panel for the “Subsea Well Response” session will comprise industry experts, ranging from operators to response organizations. Panelists will cover a variety of topics, including the use of Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA), the industry’s newly developed model for tiered response preparedness; the use of technology to provide effective mobilization of assets into a spill; and an ongoing program of education and
outreach initiatives.

“Financing Investments in the Oil and Gas Industry in an Uncertain Global Environment” and “Securing Energy Supply for Europe” will also take place on Sept. 10. “Securing Energy Supply for Europe” will allow attendees to explore the many challenges and opportunities facing Europe. They will then be invited to join panelists to debate what the future holds for energy-driven Europe.

The finance session will discuss how capital costs and financing risks are increasing, as reserves are developed in challenging or remote regions of the world. It also will examine how creative techniques and new sources of finance will be necessary to manage the allocation of risks, and to ensure sufficient funding is available to the industry.

On the final day of the conference, Sept. 11, a keynote presentation will examine the current economic climate, and the next generation’s perception of the industry. “Careers in Oil and Gas: Perception vs. Reality” will showcase the need to reach the next generation, as well as the demand for fresh talent and intelligent minds to move the industry forward.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS & “INSPIRE”-ATION FOR A YOUNGER AUDIENCE

In addition to keynote sessions offered, OE 2015 will feature a variety of free technical sessions. Led by OE’s technical chairman and Expro CEO, Charles Woodburn, these technical sessions will cover topics including:

• Developing talent to meet demand
• Subsea risers and subsea equipment
• Process safety
• Field development
• Tight gas and shale gas
• Maximizing recovery
• Subsea processing and operations
• Decommissioning of wells and pipelines
• Managing well integrity
• Application of advanced techniques
• Managing and maintaining offshore assets

As these panel sessions provide a forum for debate among industry frontrunners on the growth of today’s oil and gas business and technologies, SPE has organized the new “Inspire” program to take place throughout the week, as well.

Appropriate to this year’s theme, Inspire is a brand-new program designed to give the next generation of workers an opportunity to get involved. Over the course of the four-day conference, a wide range of events and workshops is scheduled to occur, targeting a much younger audience. The program, supported by OPITO, is intended to allow students to learn more about the business, and to engage with industry leaders
face-to-face.

The SPE Student Development Summit will include a program of lectures, games and networking at the opening plenary and keynote session, where television scientist Professor Brian Cox will be speaking. Additionally, schoolchildren will be invited each day to participate in activities arranged by the SPE Aberdeen Section Young Professionals.

“Whilst we continue to push the boundaries of technology and innovation, we must find better ways to attract and encourage the next generation of talent into our industry,” Woodburn said. “For the first time we are including papers based on both people and technical challenges, to address both aspects in parallel. By embedding this approach within the fabric of SPE Offshore Europe 2015, we will deliver a conference that ensures continued progress within our industry.”

These are challenging times for the industry, but OE 2015 seems confident in the future and is focusing on inspiring, recruiting and retaining the “next generation.”

For more information, visit www.offshore-europe.co.uk