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SPE Offshore Europe 2023: 50th anniversary retrospective
The first (in person) SPE Offshore Europe conference and exhibition for four years was lauded a roaring success, with more than 800 exhibitors and nearly 30,000 attendees celebrating the 50th anniversary at P&J Live in Scotland. Held at P&J Live in Aberdeen: the heart of the UK’s oil and gas industry, from 5th-8th September, the mood was both celebratory and informative. SPE Offshore Europe is the leading energy event in Europe and this year covered all aspects of energy transition.
The conference theme was ‘securing sustainable and equitable energy for the next 50 years and beyond,’ with four key issues: energy security, energy transition, innovative technology and future talent, bringing together the whole offshore energy community.
High-profile key note speakers included Graham Stuart MP: the UK Government Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Gillian Martin MSP: Minister for Energy and the Environment, with a joint emphasis on the path towards energy sustainability. Moderated by Kirsten Gove: Head of Communications at Global Underwater Hub, the fireside chat sessions encompassed the 50th anniversary celebrations by focusing on hot topics like geothermal energy, how hydrogen can help decarbonise the heavy energy sector and supporting the oil & gas industry make the important energy transition.
The Energy Transition Theatre offered nextgenerational insights, strategies and cutting-edge technologies in the move towards net-zero. Whereas the Energy Transition Zone was aimed at operators, service and technology companies looking to prepare the oil & gas sector for the forthcoming lower carbon era.
The SPE Technical programme offered the latest advanced innovations in the offshore energy sector such as: subsea deployment and remediation, CCS technology, hydrogen challenges, digital drilling and wells and reservoir characterisation.
One of the highlights was cutting-edge virtual reality technology, designed to improve safety standards across the energy sector. DNV: energy and assuranceprovider exclusively showcased a virtual reality major accident hazard programme (MAH). The programme includes hypothetical every day scenarios such as opening valves or assembling scaffolding, which resulted in a simulated fire or explosion. Designed to help mitigate real-world hazards, it highlighted how safety is always paramount.
There were many new exhibitors this year, bringing a dynamic feel to the expo, including heavyweight BP International. BP has been instrumental in the development of the North Sea oil and gas industry from the start and its latest strategy is to be net-zero by 2050 or sooner, making the exciting transition from international oil company to integrated energy company. In addition, there were many representatives from hydrogen, offshore wind, CCS and progressive oil and gas programmes.
Save the date!
2nd-5th September 2025:
P&J Live, Aberdeen
