A record-breaking attendance at SPE Intelligent Energy International 2012 has underlined the growing importance of the conference and exhibition which challenges digital oilfield experts to explore and accelerate the use of smart technology and intelligent energy solutions in the hydrocarbon industry.
The first day of the event in Utrecht, the Netherlands attracted its highest ever number of visitors with unique attendance(1) figures up 25% compared to the previous event in 2010. The total cumulative attendance was 2,491, also slightly higher than in 2010. The international reach of this fourth biennial show increased significantly with visitors and exhibitors drawn from 44 countries, a 29% increase from 2010.
The three day peer-reviewed technical conference delivered a series of thought-provoking and interactive presentations under the overall theme ‘Transformation – Time for Decisive Action’ and was attended by 620 delegates. Programme Committee Chairman, Sanjay Kanvinde of Schlumberger, said: “SPE Intelligent Energy 2012 has achieved what we set out to do, which was to bring into focus key themes on the future of intelligent energy in our industry through a high-quality technical programme and dynamic panel discussions.
“The rise in visitor numbers and the quality of the presentations, debate and participants is testament to the determination of the industry to drive the decisive actions that will take us to the next level. The future looks even more integrated, more automated and more intelligent.”
Vision 2020 shows possibilities for breakthrough energy technologies
The opening scene-setter session ‘Vision 2020’, led by co-chairmen Derek Mathieson of Baker Hughes and Edwin Verdonk of Royal Dutch Shell, transported delegates into the future to give them a glimpse of how breakthrough energy technologies can be developed through collaboration within the digital community. The session can be viewed online at www.intelligentenergyevent.com and clicking on the ‘Vision2020’ link.
The first plenary session titled ‘Searching for Identity, or Preparing to Meet The Grand Challenges’ saw presentations by companies including Saudi Aramco, Petoro AS, Schlumberger, Shell and BP. This session explored the challenges for the industry of entering into the adoption cycle while technology continues to diversify, what the decision landscape across the sector looks like today, and what grand challenges are yet to be addressed.
Day 2 featured a plenary session focused on ‘The Digital Engineer’, where delegates discussed the technical and IT competencies required to make the perfect digital engineer. This focused on the industry’s ongoing change in the way it operates and the need for a new breed of engineer to emerge to meet the challenges ahead as the knowledge base continues to shrink. Also on day 2, Steve Roberts, VP of the Field of the Future Program at BP gave the company’s vision of the oilfield of the future. His comments can be viewed online at http://www.intelligentenergyevent.com/en/Press/Videos/SPE-Intelligent-Energy-Day2/.
Interactive polls conducted at IE12 reveal future challenges
A series of polls were also conducted that gave some fascinating insights into the thinking of those attending. One revealed that 60% of those asked believe resistance to new ways of working represents the biggest challenge to realising the full potential of the digital oilfield. BP’s Mr Roberts commented: “The development of the digital oilfield has come a long way in a relatively short time but it still has a long way to go. At BP we believe in the need to develop a digitally focused next generation deep capability to make a strategic shift in how to manage reservoirs and operate fields. The complete realisation of the digital oilfield will have a major impact in operations and production.
“It has to be a concern that delegates believed resistance to changing work practices due to new technology could impede that development. We believe that standing still is not a viable option, and that it’s our responsibility as an industry to encourage a culture shift and acceptance of the new. Failure to do so will result in a significant loss of opportunity which none of us can afford.”
Leading companies who participated in the exhibition or as sponsors included Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, Chevron, Aramco Overseas, BP, Weatherford International, Halliburton, Tessella, IBM, BB Visual, HP Oil & Gas, P2 Energy, Honeywell Process Solutions, Petroleum Experts, Tendeka, WIPRO, Silixa, Sciencesoft, Action Photo, FMC Technologies, ABB and Siemens.
To hear more comments from VIPs and delegates go to: www.intelligentenergyevent.com to view our TV clips. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
For any further information please contact:
Mark Thomas
Press & Media Officer, SPE Intelligent Energy International 2012
Tel: +44 (0)7910 664867
Email: IE@thomasenergypub.com