WATCHING THE WORLD OFFSHORE EUROPE '91

With Roger Vielvoye from London The biennial Offshore Europe exhibition and show in Aberdeen is a pretty accurate gauge of the North Sea industry's health. Good times generate long waiting lists for space at the exhibition and plenty of advance registrations from conference attendees. And as the organizers discovered in 1987, depressed conditions in the North Sea cut the number of exhibitors and visitors.

Aug. 19, 1991

3 min read

The biennial Offshore Europe exhibition and show in Aberdeen is a pretty accurate gauge of the North Sea industry's health.

Good times generate long waiting lists for space at the exhibition and plenty of advance registrations from conference attendees. And as the organizers discovered in 1987, depressed conditions in the North Sea cut the number of exhibitors and visitors.

Offshore Europe '91, which opens Sept. 3, finds the industry in Northwest Europe in excellent shape and brimming with confidence over its claim to being the world leader in exploration and production technology.

The Bridge of Don site has been reorganized and expanded to accommodate even more exhibitors. But 20,000 sq m of covered space plus a large outside exhibition area were not enough to prevent an embarrassingly long list of companies unable to get a firm booking.

SPE DEBUT

This year's event marks the debut of the Society of Petroleum Engineers as a 50% owner of the show and conference rather than just a sponsor alongside the patrons, the U.K. Offshore Operators Association.

Under the SPE, there will be 130 papers presented during the 4 days of the conference, one-third more than in previous years. The additional papers will be accommodated by dividing the conference into three rather than just two parallel sessions.

And to mark SPE's involvement, the organization's president-elect, Roger Abel of Conoco Inc. will perform the opening ceremony. Abel is vice-president and general manager of Conoco's Soviet exploration and production arm.

Registrations appear to be well ahead of on the 24,000 recorded last year, with the growing number from outside Europe demonstrating the North Sea's pulling power when it comes to developments in technology.

Most of the overseas visitors are the welcome sort from operating oil companies. The show is, however, attracting more official delegations from foreign governments. At last count, officials from Brazil, China, Canada, Mexico, the Soviet Union, Venezuela, and Viet Nam were expected.

FIRST TIMERS' GUIDE

For first timers to the Aberdeen show, particularly those from outside the U.K., a timely publication has come to hand-The Oilman's Guide to Restaurants in London and Aberdeen.

It is compiled by former Occidental hand Martyn David who now heads the London operation of Austria's state owned OMV. The London section provides valuable information on where the homesick can find Tex-Mex food and, with the more genteel members of the E&P community in mind, identifies places to avoid like the watering holes of oil traders.

All of Aberdeen's restaurants do a good business during the show and David's entertaining rundown on eating in the city will identify the establishments that will be most heavily booked during the show.

But don't let that discourage anyone from ringing for a reservation.

The guide is available from Donna-M Cullen at Good Relations, 59 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HJ (Fax 071 631 1399). All proceeds go to charity, and checks for 5 or $8.10/copy can be payable to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.