Almost 60 Scottish firms set to forge partnerships at OTC

Houston: Event still considered the ‘most important industry gathering’

Houston’s annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) kicks off on Monday, with more than 90,000 delegates from in excess of 90 countries expected to attend.

While attendance has broken through the 100,000 barrier in the past, this year’s exhibition has still proven attractive to a number of Scottish firms who will be flying to Houston in the coming days.

Almost 60 companies will join the Scotland pavilion, which is organised and managed by trade agency Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Enterprise.

Of these, 41 are companies or organisations with either a base or headquarters in the north-east.

Returners to the pavilion include Ace Winches, Centrifuges Un-limited and Reactive Downhole Tools, while newcomers include the newly-established Ardyne.

Gavin Cowie, managing director of Dyce-based subsea engineering firm Interventek, said: “We have had a very busy 12 months since our last visit to OTC, with significant commercial achievements and two major revolution valve product developments which we will be showcasing at this event.”

Another attendee, Andrew Mosley, managing director of AS Mosley, said: “OTC is one of the biggest energy industry events of the year and we are keen to raise our profile to delegates and make them aware of what we can offer.

“We’re delighted to be supported by SDI and are keen to make the most of this opportunity to develop new links across the global energy industry.”

David Rennie, head of oil and gas at Scottish Enterprise, said: “This year we have 59 Scottish companies joining the Scotland pavilion at OTC, clearly demonstrating the continuing importance companies are placing on internationalisation to deliver their longterm growth ambition.

“Some are joining us for the first time while others are returning to maximise even more opportunities from this global event. We wish them all a successful and productive week and hope that lots of business will be done as a result.”

Jim Milne, chairman and managing director of Balmoral Group, will be making this year’s event his 43rd.

He previously said: “Regardless of recent political events on both sides of the Atlantic, business will continue.

“In fact, business may be the only constant that keeps the necessary checks and balances in place.

“This will be my 43rd OTC and I maintain my view that this is the most important industry gathering in the world.

“I would not have committed such a huge resource to the event over the years if we felt we did not get a return on our investment.”

Last year OTC attracted 2,600 oil and gas exhibitors and 68,000 delegates from 120 countries around the world.

The conference takes place at NRG Park in Houston on May 1-4. ramping up of production from its multibillion-pound Laggan-Tormore project west of Shetland had contributed to the increase.

First gas from Laggan-Tormore was achieved in 2016, with supplies being delivered to the onshore Shetland Gas Plant via pipeline.

The company also confirmed it would move the 800 onshore workers it employs in Aberdeen into Subsea 7’s old west campus building in Westhill.

In yesterday’s results announcement, Total said it would still look to cut costs as part of its £2.7billion savings target for 2017 while looking to “take advantage of opportunities offered by the current oil cycle".

SHOWCASE: The Offshore Technology Conference will host more than 90,000 delegates from over 90 countries and runs for four days

Balmoral Group’s Jim Milne has visited OTC 43 times