Offshore Europe 2015 – what’s happening in the oil & gas industry?

A giant's wrench at Offshore Europe 2015

Analox were visitors to one of the largest exhibitions in the oil and gas industry last week, SPE Offshore Europe, hosted at the AECC Centre in Aberdeen. This bi-annual event sees companies from all over the world exhibit and gather to discuss current issues and challenges being faced within the industry.

More than 1,500 global suppliers were there to exhibit along with just over 100 conferences, seminars and keynote speeches to attend, it’s easy to say we were kept rather busy! Analox produce gas safety equipment for the oil and gas industry, specifically the ACG+, which monitors for O2, CO, CO2 and contaminants such as VOC’s in compressed breathing air, plus it monitors dew point and the unit can be fixed to ensure clean breathing air at all times. The ACG+ assists with compliance of breathing air standards including EN12021.

The theme of Offshore Europe this year was ‘Inspire a Generation’ which concentrated largely on how the industry would continue to attract young people to aspire to build a career in oil and gas. This was especially poignant in view of the recent market decline and devastating cost cuttings throughout the industry.

We spoke to lots of different people at the exhibition across different businesses including suppliers, recruiters, government bodies for trade, rig operators and not forgetting the often most information rich of people, taxi drivers. All agreed that the current price of oil was continuing to create a tough climate for the industry and it would be at least 18 months before a predicted increase would occur.

Although advised that this was a much quieter show compared to previous years it still felt busy, especially as we weren’t allowed into the auditorium for the opening speech delivered by Professor (and comedian) Brian Cox, as it was too full! Sad times, however we did get to meet a huge mechanical robot and use a giant’s wrench… every cloud.

The mechanical robot