SPE Offshore Europe 2017 Preview

23 August, 2017

Technology Zone

The Oil & Gas Technology Centre’s Technology Zone will present a series of technologies used in alternative sectors to encourage the oil & gas industry to think differently about the adoption of new products.The Centre believes technologies such as robots, composite materials, additive manufacturing and augmented reality are all currently underutilised in offshore oil and gas, despite being part of a general industrial transformation in other industries. The Zone will bring together start-up companies and SMEs, showcasing their ideas and solutions. Also, there will be a series of short presentations followed by a Q&A session with the Technology Centre’s board and leadership team on its priorities and how to get involved.

Inspire Programme

Continuing on from the success of SPE’s Inspire Programme in 2015, a series of activities, workshops and lectures specifically focused on supporting and informing young people interested in joining the oil & gas industry or just beginning their careers will be held from Monday 4 September (the afternoon before the show starts) to Friday 8 September. For younger generations, there will be introductions to the industry and the importance of STEM topics though SPE’s school engagement programme. SPE is also working with local schools to show the opportunities within the industry and meet professionals to talk about what they do.

Investment Workshop

This one-day programme connects Oiltech’s investor members with innovative technology providers, giving entrepreneurs industry-specific advice on partner funding and providing access to funding opportunities. On the morning of 6 September, a series of drop-in sessions will be held where industry experts will give guidance on getting technology to market in the fastest and most effective way, and offer advice and expertise around partner funding. On the afternoon of Wednesday 6 September, a limited number of companies will be invited to one-to-one meetings to discuss investment projects with various grant, early seed and direct industry funding providers.

Exhibitor taster

The following is a brief example of the show’s wide-ranging exhibitor base:

 BiS Valves

BiS Valves has introduced a wider range of stainless steel solenoid and directional control valves. The new range incorporates direct acting and internally and externally pilot operated variants, plus an extensive options list that includes manual override, manual reset and Ex d and Ex emb hazardous area coils with ATEX and IECEx certification.

Benefits of the new range include:

• Power consumption as low as 3W often required for remote locations.

• -50degC temperature rating for arctic environments.

• A balanced spool design which allows the valve to with stand variable pressures on the main ports, essential in a variety of applications.

• A barrier between the pilot and main flow ports, which prevents cross-contamination of fluids.

• Block before bleed operation to minimise fluid loss on changeover.

• SIL 3 capability.

 BVAA

The British Valve & Actuator Association (BVAA) will be at their usual stand, 2D05. The BVAA’s CEO, Rob Bartlett, commented: ‘BVAA will be multi-tasking as per usual. As well as representing our 200 members and their products in the oil & gas space, we will also be promoting the many benefits of BVAA membership. We will also be demonstrating once again our completely-independent valve industry training, an area in which we excel and which is proving very popular with the valve and actuator customer-base, particularly in Aberdeen. We’ll also be providing the UK Valve industry with its usual hub and rest stop.”