Scottish oil bosses are anticipating another successful time at the world’s top energy show in the US city of Houston.
They are attending the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which starts on Monday.
Aberdeen-based energy industry travel expert Munro’s Travel and the Press and Journal have organised their regular visit to OTC for 300 delegates through a tie-up dating back to 1973.
This large Scottish group began arriving on Wednesday and the last of them will fly in tomorrow.
Munro’s managing director Murray Burnett, who flew out on Thursday, is attending his 15th OTC in a row.
“It’s hard to believe the last 12 months have passed so quickly and here we are back in Houston again,” he said last night.
He added: “It’s exciting to return to this vibrant city, which is so important for the oil and gas business being the US energy capital.
“The North Sea industry may be going through a challenging time at the moment, but the large size of our group highlights the continuing significance of OTC and the substantial international business opportunities it offers.
“Another reflection of the importance of this event is the fact that more than 90% of our delegates this year have been with us to OTC previously.”
More than 100,000 people from all corners of the world are expected to attend the four-day event, which always attracts top figures in the oil industry.
The Munro’s/P&J delegation are once again nearly filling their regular hotel headquarters, the Hilton Houston Post Oak. The party’s allocation of 300 rooms was fully booked several weeks ago.
Mr Burnett said: “We have been using the same hotel for more than 25 years. We all enjoy coming back and seeing the staff, who are like old friends. The Post Oak also offers excellent networking opportunities for our group.”
Special events being held at the hotel include a breakfast on Wednesday, where the results of the first Energy 2050 survey will be unveiled.
The Energy Voice website has teamed up with Robert Gordon University, Burness Paull and Fifth Ring in a research effort polling thought leaders, industry analysts and other experts to learn what’s next for the ever-changing energy industry.
Before then, though, the focus of the Scottish delegates will be on Monday’s opening of OTC. More than 2,600 firms representing 37 countries are exhibiting this year.
Mr Burnett said: “It’s hard to take in the sheer size of the show site – it covers nearly 700,000sq ft, including outdoor exhibits.
“You could spend all week out there and still not manage to see all the stands.
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“Our delegates are looking forward to getting out there to look at the latest technology, catch up with old associates and make new contacts.
“Those with their own stands have told me they are also very positive about what the week could hold.”
In addition to the show, OTC also features hundreds of technical presentations of major interest to North Sea firms. These cover areas such as technology improvements and advances, and collaboration between competitors.
Mr Burnett said: “It’s shaping up to be another successful and informative OTC for our delegates.”
Munro’s has been a dominant player in the travel industry in Aberdeen for more than 100 years and employs 120-plus people at its offices in Union Street.
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