Oil and gas technology showcase hailed a success

November 9, 2011

Hundreds of oil and gas professionals attended ITF's Annual Technology Showcase yesterday to see some of the industry's cutting edge innovations in action.

More than 300 decision makers from operator and service companies attended the one day event at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre organised by ITF and sponsored by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The showcase aimed to highlight new technology solutions from 50 organisations that could solve pressing industry challenges.

Giving the welcome, Bill Cattanach, Head of Industry and Technology, Oil and Gas, at DECC, said: "The importance of technology in the oil and gas industry will only increase and ITF's showcase really demonstrates the innovation coming from Scotland and further afield to conquer the challenges.

"In the last 40 years, 40 billion barrels have been extracted. Some say that was the easy 40 billion and the rest will be more difficult. However, in reality few of those 40 billion barrels were easy. The government sees a long term future in the oil and gas industry and technology development is important to growing the economy."

David Liddle, Director of Strategic Technology at ITF said the success of the showcase would ensure a follow up in 2012. "The event has been a great success at highlighting new technologies to our membership of major oil operator and service companies. Sharing knowledge and collaborating will help to conquer some of the unique challenges facing the industry in the North Sea and around the world.

"We've been impressed with the many local technology companies and those that travelled from as far afield as Malaysia and the US to be here. We will definitely be back next year with an even bigger showcase."

The technologies on show spanned across the industry from subsea instrumentation and deepwater cables to well construction and asset integrity.

Well intervention specialist Interwell was one of the exhibitors receiving a lot of interest. Andrew Louden, Managing Director of Interwell's UK operations said: "The exhibition has been a great opportunity to connect our clients with Interwell's Aberdeen based engineering group. It has allowed developers and operators to showcase emerging technologies and there has been a positive buzz as delegates discuss industry challenges and solutions."

Sandy Adamson, International Sales Manager at oil and gas remote downhole camera and video technology specialist at EV, said: "We have generated a lot of positive leads including someone looking for a specialised camera for a project in Scandanavia where EV is rapidly expanding. ITF's Technology Showcase is a really focused event which attracts a high quality of visitors with a specific agenda so it means we're engaging with our target market. It is also a fantastic arena for networking and making new contacts with industry peers."

Martyn Macdonnell, Business Development Director at Kintore based Paradigm Flow Solutions said: "Sustaining margins and production is becoming increasingly dependent upon the development of new technology systems. The ITF showcase is an excellent opportunity for operators to see first-hand the benefits that can be gained from partnership working."

Dr. Richard Neilson of the school of engineering at the University of Aberdeen was another exhibitor. He said: "Linking with industry is really important and the showcase has enabled us to further engage with oil and gas companies. It has given us the opportunity to promote our new funding and knowledge exchange programme that we are running with other Scottish universities and promote new technologies."

Photo caption: Andrew Louden, Managing Director of Interwell's UK operation (left) with David Liddle, Director of Strategic Technology at ITF.

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