Organisers of the inaugural Unconventional Gas conference held in Aberdeen last week have revealed it will become an annual event.
The two-day gathering attracted more than 270 delegates, who heard about the potential of a sector which is expected to boost the north-east, Scottish and UK economies.
The conference focused on the opportunities to produce shale gas, tight gas and coal-bed methane, and there are hopes the event could grow to the same size as one of the city’s other business shows, All-Energy.
Event organiser Aberdeen City Council is already looking at how to expand next year’s conference and is considering incorporating an exhibition into the event.
Gerry Brough, the local authority’s economic development project director, said: “The feedback from delegates and speakers has been excellent and the conference really got the debate started on how best to fund and commercialise unconventional gas.
“We want to build on this success and will be speaking to industry about growing the conference and exhibition next time around.
“Through events such as All-Energy and Offshore Europe, we have cemented the region’s reputation as being at the forefront of global energy development, and unconventional gas is another sector that deserves attention.”
Last year’s All-Energy show, the UK’s largest renewable-energy exhibition, attracted more than 6,900 people.
More than 450 companies from 16 countries around the world exhibited during the two-day event held in Aberdeen in May.
Bill Tinapple, executive director of the petroleum division of Western Australia’s department of mines and petroleum, has highlighted the international opportunities that unconventional gas presented to Scottish companies.
After the Unconventional Gas event, he said: “The enthusiasm being expressed at the conference reflects the enterprise that makes Aberdeen a world-class energy centre.
“The city is taking a lead on the debate and positively encouraging North Sea companies to move into other fields and regions.”
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