A record turnout of more than 1,000 delegates attended an annual oil and gas industry event in the north-east yesterday.
The 12th Pilot Share Fair featured 20 operators and oil service companies – also a record figure – which presented their forward work plans and activities, representing potential business worth billions of pounds.
Delegates from small and medium supply-chain firms from the UK and abroad attended the event in the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
One of the farthest-travelled was from South Africa.
There were some 300 more delegates than last year, while there were more than 1,100 one-to-one sessions compared with just 800 in 2009.
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil and Gas UK, said: “Current activity levels in our industry are high.
“This year’s share fair has reflected this by breaking all records and setting a new and incredibly high standard for open and constructive dialogue on our industry’s forward investment plans and the work streams and employment which will flow from these.”
Brian Kinkead, the industry body’s supply-chain director, added: “On top of the one-to-one sessions, we had more than 160 presentations delivered by the 20 companies from both the operator and contractor communities.
“The feedback from the delegates has been very positive. Operators have been able to meet a wider-cross section of the supply chain and raise their business profiles with new contractors.
“For the supply chain, it has been an invaluable chance to hear about a huge range of planned activities and the technologies that will be required.”
Aker Solutions was among companies presenting plans for the North Sea.
Managing director Rod Buchan said: “This is an important date in the oil and gas calendar, providing significant insight into the latest initiatives and business development opportunities from the major players in our industry. In light of the recent economic pressures, this year’s event has proved to be particularly important for companies in the supply chain and a good opportunity to gather market intelligence.”
Oil major BP confirmed yesterday that it had received licence interests in seven offshore blocks in the UK’s latest round.
The awards – five blocks operated by BP and two operated by a partner – represent the largest licence award the group has received in the UK for more than a decade.
Trevor Garlick, BP’s North Sea regional president, said: “These licence awards are a significant success for BP and a further boost to the long-term future of our North Sea business.
“With six major projects under way in the UK and Norwegian sectors, BP is investing strongly in the North Sea to develop today’s resource base and we are also building a complementary portfolio of future opportunities.”
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