By David Sear
(Scroll down for video interviews)
Held on 15 and 16 October in Amsterdam, the 2013 Offshore Energy show delivered a strong conference programme plus a broad exhibition covering various energy angles: oil & gas, wind, wave and tidal. As we discovered, the show created an excellent platform to discuss both technology and politics with key players.
Offshore Energy 2013 was officially opened by Ko Colijn (General Director Clingendael), Coert van Zijll Langhout (Managing Director Navingo BV) and Sander Vergroesen (Managing Director at IRO, the Association of Dutch Suppliers in the Oil and Gas Industry).
Kicking off the sixth edition of Offshore Energy, Mr Vergroesen spoke about the offshore business which, being in the middle of worldwide developments, comes with challenges, threats, demands and plenty of opportunities. In addition Mr Colijn addressed the current and expected political consequences of the conflict in the Middle East in relation to the oil and offshore sector.
Kicking off the sixth edition of Offshore Energy, Mr Vergroesen spoke about the offshore business which, being in the middle of worldwide developments, comes with challenges, threats, demands and plenty of opportunities. In addition Mr Colijn addressed the current and expected political consequences of the conflict in the Middle East in relation to the oil and offshore sector.
The first day then continued with some action-packed conference sessions. For example, the Drilling and Dollars Panel gave an outlook on upstream and service activities. Organized for the first time during Offshore Energy, panel members discussed investment opportunities in the oil & gas industry and talked about the quest for alternative funding. During this and other sessions, the audience were invited to actively participate in all discussions.
The Industry Panel, hosted by John Andrews (consultant editor at The Economist) was also well-received, and focused on the topic of changing industry fundamentals – from geology to geopolitics and from technology to tech talent shortages.
The Panels were just some of the highlights of the show, which also included conference topics and masterclasses on wave and tidal energy, North Sea exploration and production and state-of–the-art vessels for the offshore industry.
The Industry Panel, hosted by John Andrews (consultant editor at The Economist) was also well-received, and focused on the topic of changing industry fundamentals – from geology to geopolitics and from technology to tech talent shortages.
The Panels were just some of the highlights of the show, which also included conference topics and masterclasses on wave and tidal energy, North Sea exploration and production and state-of–the-art vessels for the offshore industry.
On the Expo Floor
For the sixth time in a row the Offshore Energy Exhibition reported growing numbers. Almost 500 exhibitors took part in 2013, which is an increase of 20% in comparison to 2012.
There was an eclectic mix of companies, offering everything from consulting services to cranes, and from pipeline layers to protective footware. In short, something for everyone with an offshore angle.
There was an eclectic mix of companies, offering everything from consulting services to cranes, and from pipeline layers to protective footware. In short, something for everyone with an offshore angle.
Amongst the exhibitors were several companies of direct interest to the flow control sector, offering both piping engineering services, as well as essential equipment such as pumps, valves, stainless steels, etc.
In short, Offshore Energy was an excellent venue to rub shoulders with some of the key players in the industry.
In short, Offshore Energy was an excellent venue to rub shoulders with some of the key players in the industry.
Video Interviews
What’s driving the development of small fields?
HSM Offshore’s Mr Jaco Fleumer kindly outlines what a small field is, where they can be found, why there is a need to plan developments whilst existing infrastructure is still in place, and finally some strategies to help keep costs to a minimum.
HSM Offshore’s Mr Jaco Fleumer kindly outlines what a small field is, where they can be found, why there is a need to plan developments whilst existing infrastructure is still in place, and finally some strategies to help keep costs to a minimum.
Pumps and valves in offshore clean-up packages
This reporter did a double-take at the Offshore Energy 2013 show, when he spotted a rental company apparently offering pumps and valves as part of its product line. Fortunately Operational Manager Mr Arjan van Boven was at hand to offer an explanation. Turns out that BOIS rents out skids and equipment needed in the offshore sector, for example, for clean-up operations. And yes, pumps and valves are fundamental in these systems.
This reporter did a double-take at the Offshore Energy 2013 show, when he spotted a rental company apparently offering pumps and valves as part of its product line. Fortunately Operational Manager Mr Arjan van Boven was at hand to offer an explanation. Turns out that BOIS rents out skids and equipment needed in the offshore sector, for example, for clean-up operations. And yes, pumps and valves are fundamental in these systems.
Good news for newly-qualified engineers
Hearing talk of a need for additional engineering talent in the industry, we asked Louis Nagelmaker (Senior Corporate Recruiter, KCI) about his experiences. He confirmed that, especially when planned projects for 2014 kick in, there will be extra demand for new engineers.
Hearing talk of a need for additional engineering talent in the industry, we asked Louis Nagelmaker (Senior Corporate Recruiter, KCI) about his experiences. He confirmed that, especially when planned projects for 2014 kick in, there will be extra demand for new engineers.
Shifting the focus to marginal and HP/HT fields
Mr Jaco Fleumer (Business Development Manager, HSM Offshore) has a wealth of experience in the offshore sector. Asked about changes in the industry, he notes the trend to develop marginal and high pressure/high temperature fields. However, he adds that there is a need for manufacturers to become more active in this process, taking more initiative for example when it comes to engineering new products and helping to define standards.
Mr Jaco Fleumer (Business Development Manager, HSM Offshore) has a wealth of experience in the offshore sector. Asked about changes in the industry, he notes the trend to develop marginal and high pressure/high temperature fields. However, he adds that there is a need for manufacturers to become more active in this process, taking more initiative for example when it comes to engineering new products and helping to define standards.
Pump requirements for use offshore
What are end users looking for in offshore pumps? Why is low-shear important? What does NPSH mean? Is viscosity a consideration? We fired a whole bunch of questions at Mr Heinz Flesch (Industry Development Manager at Seepex ) who gave his considered answers.
What are end users looking for in offshore pumps? Why is low-shear important? What does NPSH mean? Is viscosity a consideration? We fired a whole bunch of questions at Mr Heinz Flesch (Industry Development Manager at Seepex ) who gave his considered answers.
Snel Staal celebrating forty years in the steel business
Forty years ago, Mr Snel started his business literally from one of his bedrooms. Back then, the product portfolio consisted essentially of simple components. Fast forward and the company has around ten employees and supplies a wide range of items, including forgings, rings, flanges, bars, castings, etc, explains Mr Tom Laanen (Sales Manager). Good reason, then, to plan a fitting celebration.
Forty years ago, Mr Snel started his business literally from one of his bedrooms. Back then, the product portfolio consisted essentially of simple components. Fast forward and the company has around ten employees and supplies a wide range of items, including forgings, rings, flanges, bars, castings, etc, explains Mr Tom Laanen (Sales Manager). Good reason, then, to plan a fitting celebration.
Valves for abrasive dry solids – Q&A
What types of valves are available for handling abrasive dry solids? What’s the benefit of the air pressure sealing option? When and why might a fluidized disk be useful? And why are valves for solids handling made of lightweight aluminium? These questions were all answered by René Leeflang, from Smits Proces Techniek, during the Offshore Energy 2013 show in Amsterdam.
What types of valves are available for handling abrasive dry solids? What’s the benefit of the air pressure sealing option? When and why might a fluidized disk be useful? And why are valves for solids handling made of lightweight aluminium? These questions were all answered by René Leeflang, from Smits Proces Techniek, during the Offshore Energy 2013 show in Amsterdam.