TENS of thousands of people from around the world will descend on the Granite City today for the Offshore Europe oil show.
With just over 82,000sqft of stand space sold, the three-day event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre is expected to be the largest in the show’s history.
While leading industry figures debate key issues, millions of pounds’ worth of business will be done.
To cope with the influx of delegates, a numbers of transport arrangements have been put in place.
Those travelling to the conference from the north are asked to use car park 10 in Claymore Drive, while those from the west should leave their cars at the park-and-ride service on the A944 beside the Kingswells roundabout.
The provisions will not affect the regularity of the number 40 bus service, which will operate from Ellon Road, near the Parkway, for those not attending the event.
Alternative parking has also been arranged at Seaton Park for the duration of the conference.
The measures have been put in place to avoid a situation similar to 2009, when dozens of parking tickets were handed out to motorists who, finding the car park full, parked on grass verges.
As a result, more than 130 parking tickets were handed out, which Aberdeen City Council later had to withdraw after motorists appealed.
This year’s event, which will welcome delegations from around the world, including Brazil, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Malaysia, is nearly 10% larger than in 2009.
It will also feature more oil and gas operating firms than before, including majors such as Shell, BP, Petrobras, ExxonMobil and Chevron.