One of the world’s biggest oil and gas shows got under way in the Middle East yesterday, with with a strong line-up of firms flying the flag for Scotland.
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) features more than 1,800 exhibitors and 20 international pavilions showcasing thousands of products
In excess of 60,000 oil and gas professionals from around the world are forecast to attend the show over its three days.
More than 6,500 delegates are expected to sit in on conference sessions featuring 600 speakers from 37 countries.
The Scottish presence includes north-east offshore chemical engineering firm Aubin Group, which yesterday announced a new office in Dubai after “significant” business success in the Middle East.
Ellon-based Aubin said it had enjoyed growth of 52% in the region this year from the sale of its well services and pipeline products, boosting turnover to more than £4.1million during the 12 months to June 30.
Well services and pipelines director Ray Stirton, who heads up the company in the region, said: “We are committed to expanding our local presence in the Middle East and are working with strategic partners in the region to help us realise our ambitious growth strategy.
“Our increased presence will help us manage the demand for our products since introducing and expanding our local production.
“Our growth will help us accelerate the delivery of new products from development to deployment.”
He added: “We will start with a team of four and expect this to grow throughout next year.”
Aubin said its pipeline products were also in growing demand in the Middle East.
Mr Stirton added: “We are working on some very exciting projects to pig (clean) pipelines which have become partially blocked and, therefore, cannot be pigged by conventional techniques.
“We are delighted with our growth and operations in the Middle East, where we have established an excellent reputation for supplying products with a consistent and high quality performance.”
North-east accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael (JC) sees its appearance at Adipec as a “fantastic opportunity” to analyse the market and its potential for clients.
JC, which has 11 Scottish offices at locations including Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin, Fraserburgh, Huntly and Inverurie, said the recent drop in oil prices meant Scottish companies were looking for new countries to expand into.
The United Arab Emirates were a “popular choice”, thanks to their track record and relative stability, it added.
Business development director Craig Yeoman and corporate finance partner Graham Alexander are both at the show.
Mr Alexander said: “By visiting the exhibition and meeting with financial experts on the ground, we can increase our knowledge about the operating frameworks in the region.
“We are also keen to find out how a price of just over $80 per barrel will impact upon investment and operational decisions in this key market, and how this will in turn impact upon the global oil and gas market.”
Scottish businesses at Adipec include Asco, Aberdeen Drilling School, Centrifuges-UN-Limited, Coretrax Technology, Denvir, Flowline Specialists, Global Energy (SCS), Online Electronics Group, Peak Global Consultancy, Reactive Downhole Tools and Aset International Oil and Gas Training Academy
Speakers yesterday included BP chief executive Bob Dudley, who said the recent tumble of oil prices would create discipline in the energy industry’s capital spending. He also said it was hard to predict where oil prices would go next.
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