Face to face

July 26, 1999
Company mergers steal the headlines, and consolidation is rapidly reducing the number of companies in the industry. Cost-cutting has reduced the number of employees and has hit operating companies, service and supply companies, trade associations, and government agencies.

Company mergers steal the headlines, and consolidation is rapidly reducing the number of companies in the industry. Cost-cutting has reduced the number of employees and has hit operating companies, service and supply companies, trade associations, and government agencies.

One of the results of these trends is that it is harder and harder to get good information because it is harder and harder to find good contacts.

Oil & Gas Journal editors are dedicated to seeking and providing the best and most-timely industry information. The internet is a great tool and is helping to greatly improve research efficiency. But, for a variety of reasons, there is some information that is still not available via web sites.

Industry conferences and seminars can be an excellent way to establish the good contacts needed by editors. There are myriad industry seminars and conferences, however, and time is scarce.

Meeting people

Often the best way to find information is the old fashioned way of meeting with industry experts. In addition, there is something about face-to-face meetings that can build a lasting, valuable contact.

Meeting over a cup of coffee, a meal, a glass of wine can help build mutual respect, trust, and understanding. The best conferences provide a stimulating slate of presenters and time for interaction among all attendees.

My focus tends to be on industry economics and the sources of basic industry statistics. In that regard, there are a number of meetings and conferences that are particularly valuable.

The annual international and North American meetings of the International Association for Energy Economics are excellent gatherings of energy industry economic experts. And, in early spring, the International Research Center for Energy and Economic Development holds an excellent small gathering of international energy analysts in Boulder, Colo.

The supply and demand committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America meets twice a year in Houston to prepare a consensus forecast for the oil and natural gas industry. This is also an excellent meeting, with a small group of well-informed industry analysts.

Over the years, members of these groups have been excellent contacts for information that appears in Oil & Gas Journal. If you want quality information from industry analysts, you might consider attending one of these meetings.

A new addition

OGJ readers might also want to consider what appears to be an excellent forum planned for early September in Houston.

When Sheikh Yamani stepped down as head of the Saudi Arabian oil ministry, he established a research group in London, the Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES). This group has a top-notch staff and has done some excellent studies on the worldwide prospects for oil and natural gas development.

OGJ and CGES are sponsoring a joint conference, Oil Price Challenges into the New Century on Sept. 9-10 in Houston. Slip it into your calendar. It will be a great place for some of those face-to-face meetings.