SPE Offshore Europe will run face-to-face from 1-4 February 2022 at P&J Live, Aberdeen and virtually from 7-10 September 2021
Jonathan Heastie, portfolio director – energy and marine at Reed Exhibitions (RX), co-organiser with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), said, “With September rapidly approaching, many health and safety uncertainties still exist around holding major indoor events of the scale of SPE Offshore Europe. The Offshore Europe (OE) Partnership has consulted widely across the industry including operating and service companies, SMEs and industry organisations on options for the 2021 event.”
Phil Chandler, director, Europe and Caspian Events at SPE, added, “The September conference will be strongly focused on the energy transition and supporting the industry’s role in delivering net zero. With further high-level energy transition content at the face-to-face event in February 2022, SPE Offshore Europe will straddle COP26, providing a unique learning opportunity as strategies, experiences and technologies are shared.”
The virtual conference in September will include opening ceremony, plenary panel and keynote and technical sessions. Full programme details will be announced in the next few weeks.
Live event to be an in-person socially distanced exhibition
The live event will include an in-person socially distanced exhibition, new energy transition keynote conference content, show floor features including Energy Transition Zone and Theatre, Decommissioning Theatre, a talent investment and diversity (TIDE) programme and networking events.
Jonathan Heastie added, “We conducted a survey of previous visitors and the results were decisive; by holding the event in Q1 2022, both domestic and international visitor levels would be significantly higher and sufficient to merit holding the face-to-face event next year. Furthermore, all the international pavilions expect to attend in February 2022.”
Leader of Aberdeen City Council, Cllr Jenny Laing, said, “Whilst it is disappointing that the face-to-face element of Offshore Europe 2021 has to be postponed as a result of COVID-19, we support the decision made by the organisers. We will work to make the virtual event a success whilst turning our focus to delivering an exceptional and safe event in February 2022 when Aberdeen will once again be proud to bring the delegates together.”
Chris Walker, head of communications and external affairs, Oil and Gas Authority, commented, “With a firm focus on energy transition and industry’s role in supporting net zero, the virtual event in September promises to bring together a stellar line-up of leading industry speakers and a world-class technical programme. While nothing in life is guaranteed, the prospect of a safe, well-managed ‘physical’ exhibition next year is something very exciting to look forward to.”
