April 2013, Vol. 240 No. 4

Features

2013 Offshore Technology Conference Highlights

More than 80,000 offshore energy professionals are expected May 6-9 to attend OTC 2013 — the world’s largest offshore conference at Houston’s Reliant Center. Some 2,400 of the world’s leading offshore service and manufacturing companies from 110+ countries will participate in the exhibition in Reliant Center, Reliant Arena and the OTC Parkway.

OTC is sponsored by 12 industry organizations and societies which work cooperatively to develop a top technical program each year. OTC also has two endorsing organization and 10 supporting organizations. Collectively, they have put together a 300-paper technical program that will be presented by authors from more than 100 countries.

Key insights by leading experts will be provided along with discussions on emerging technologies, project updates, best practices, safety and environmental issues and the changing regulatory environment. A panel of executives including Petronas, Petrobras and Pemex will discuss NOCs’ increasing responsibilities and role within the global industry. Also on the panel’s agenda is a perspective of China’s offshore industry.

Achievement Awards
The event will kick off at the annual OTC Night at the Ballpark dinner at Reliant Stadium on May 5. This event supports the Offshore Energy Center that is dedicated to expand the awareness of the vast energy resources beneath the oceans and to chronicle the unique heritage and technological accomplishments of the industry that discovers, produces, and delivers these resources in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

Honorees this year are Ken Arnold, senior technical advisor for WorleyParsons, Houston, and Total Exploration and Production. Arnold is being recognized for his leadership and contributions to the E&P industry. His achievements include playing an integral role in the offshore industry’s focus on safety through the development of recommended practices for offshore design and safety management; and developing approaches to both equipment sizing and facility project management that are still in use today.

Total is receiving the corporate award for its Pazflor deep offshore development in Angola. Now 18 months into production, Pazflor is one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated deep offshore developments to date. In addition to the first use of subsea separation and pumping on a wide scale, the project included the construction of the world’s largest FPSO, and one of the most complex subsea networks. The field started up one month ahead of schedule in August 2011.

The Heritage Award will be presented to E. Dendy Sloan, Ph.D., university emeritus professor of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines and James Brill, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Tulsa. Brill is considered a trailblazer in multiphase flow in pipes and wells. His research led to formation of the Tulsa University Fluid Flow Projects. He has been an industry leader, professor and researcher in the area of hydrates for four decades. The modeling and simulation tools resulting from his research are used daily for the design and operation of offshore production systems.

Tickets to the Night at the Ballpark Dinner are $150 each.

New Technology Award
OTC recognizes innovative technologies each year with the Spotlight on New Technology Award. This awards program is exclusively for OTC exhibitors and is designed to showcase the latest and most advanced technologies that are leading the industry into the future.

The 2013 Spotlight on New Technology Award will be presented to the following 15 companies:
• ABB – Onboard DC-Grid
• Baker Hughes – FASTrak™ LWD Fluid Analysis Sampling and Testing Service
• Bayou Wasco Insulation, Dow Oil & Gas, PIH, Trelleborg Offshore – DOW NEPTUNE™ Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System
• FMC Technologies – Condition and Performance Monitoring
• FMC Technologies and Sulzer Pumps – High-speed, Helico-axial Multiphase Subsea Boosting System
• GE Oil & Gas – RamTel™ Plus and ROV Subsea Display Panel
• GE Oil & Gas – Deepwater BOP Blind Shear Ram
• Reelwell as – Reelwell Drilling Method Riserless (RDM-R)
• SBM Offshore – Drilling Riser Trip Saver™
• ShawCor – Mobile Robotic Cutback System
• STATOIL ASA – Remotely Welded Retrofit Subsea Hot Tap Tee
• Superior Energy Services – Complete Automated Technology System (CATS)
• Wärtsilä Corporation – Wärtsilä GasReformer
• Welltec –Well Cutter®
• WeST Drilling Products AS – Continuous Motion Rig (CMR)
The winning technologies were selected based on the following five criteria: New: less than two years old; Innovative: original, groundbreaking, and capable of revolutionizing the offshore E&P industry; Proven: through full-scale application or successful prototype testing; Broad Interest: broad appeal for the industry; and Significant Impact: provides significant benefits beyond existing technologies.

Breakfasts And Luncheons
OTC hosts an array of breakfasts and luncheons all four days of the event that showcase presentations from top executives and technical experts. Tickets are $50 and should be purchased early since seating is limited.

The Next Wave
Attendees can catch The Next Wave on May 6. This event will offer insight on how unconventional and renewable resources will contribute to the energy mix and how it might impact the conventional market. Discussion will include how developing countries are expected to fuel their growing economies from a resource perspective and an infrastructure standpoint.

Keynote speaker Helge Haldorsen, vice president of Strategy, Statoil, along with five panelists will discuss the global energy outlook for oil and gas companies and what it means to be a young professional in the energy industry. Tickets are $50 and include lunch and an evening reception.

R&D Showcase
The OTC University R&D Showcase provides universities an opportunity to share with attendees R&D projects relevant to offshore technology. Attendees can learn more about these projects on level 2 of Reliant Center.

Teacher Workshop
OTC and the U.S. National Energy Education Development project invite Houston-area classroom teachers (grades 4-12) to attend a free, one-day, energy education workshop May 9. Educators will receive comprehensive, objective information about the scientific concepts of energy and its importance while discovering the world of oil and natural gas exploration and production. A variety of free instructional materials will be available for the classroom. The last day to apply for the Energy Education Institute is April 15. Those who apply will be notified via e-mail by April 25.
Registration

OTC registration fees include admittance to the technical sessions and exhibition. Special event tickets and OTC proceedings must be purchased separated.

Members in any of the OTC sponsoring, endorsing, supporting or invited organization may acquire a four-day registration for $150 while non-member registration is $210. A one-day registration for members is $120 and $160 for non-members. Students with a valid university ID may register at no cost. Spouses are charged the same fees as the attendee. OTC Proceedings on a CD may be purchased by members for $110 and non-members for $175.