So where did that half century go?
In the early 1970s the Aberdeen region - long famous for its rich agriculture and fisheries industries, textiles, granite, paper production, international trade and historic education institutions - was facing an exciting new frontier.
Fuelled initially by a number of gas deposits being found in the North Sea, the discovery of the Forties field by BP sparked the black gold rush that was to transform Aberdeen into the Oil Capital of Europe and act as a godsend to the UK Treasury.
The pioneering spirit for which the people of the area were renowned was embraced and it helped to shape a whole new industry.
Initially a tale of poorly equipped companies battling against the elements in their quest for riches, the story of Offshore Europe is not dissimilar.
Against a background of massive promise and reflecting the thirst for knowledge and information exchange in these early days, the organisers of, what was at the time, Offshore Scotland cobbled together an event staged in March 1973 using tents in the Chemistry Car Park at University of Aberdeen with the conference element held in the Arts Centre.
Despite warnings that early Spring was no time for such a venture in the North-east of Scotland, the 140 exhibitors complained of the heat as the sun blazed down on the canvas roof. It had begun.
Subsequent shows grew exponentially and as the potential became clear, competition intensified from other places including London and Glasgow to host this prestigious biennial event. Without proper facilities, Aberdeen faced being left in the wilderness.
Again, the organisers echoed the entrepreneurial spirit of the place by overcoming many challenges to see a new state-of-the-art conference venue (AECC) completed just in time for the 1985 show.
My own first recollection of Offshore Europe came in my role as Circulation Executive at Aberdeen Journals in 1987. I conjure up distant memories of Stetsons and cowboy boots (probably made up). And of overflowing bars, goodie bags and thousands of sponsored complimentary copies of the P&J (totally true).
And the story of this iconic event has remained closely mapped to the fortunes of its host city and the energy sector over the subsequent decades of bust, boom, opportunity and societal change.
By 2003 it was accepted that Offshore Europe was second globally in significance behind only OTC in Houston and was acquired as part of a wider deal by Reed Exhibitions (now RX) with the aim of continuing to build its reputation and expand on its success.
The 2009 show took place in the shadow of the global financial crash but buoyed by strong oil prices and continued confidence that operators and the supply chain could invest and innovate to develop new technology that made viable previously hard to reach hydrocarbon deposits in the North Sea basin.
Fast forward six years through a period where it’s fair to say the North Sea sector had never had it so good and we arrive with a crash in 2015.
This event was set against a backdrop of a damaging price drop fuelled slowdown. By now, decommissioning was beginning to focus minds and we were also hearing more about the need to transition away from the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.
The combined effect on confidence was significant and would test the sector’s reputation for rebounding from adversity.
Accordingly, the content of that year’s Offshore Europe was geared to help businesses navigate the challenging landscape they found themselves in.
2017 was to be the end of an era. The last at AECC, with the next edition to be held at the region’s new world-class conference and exhibition venue, TECA. Another metaphor for the changes in the sector and the wider world since OE first began in the 70s with delegates challenged to embrace new realities and for the industry to debate its future direction and reinvent itself.
The newly renamed P&J Live was ready to open by September 2019 and more than 36,000 oil and gas professionals from more than 130 countries attended. The mood was of cautious optimism for the future after a tough five years.
And then just six short months later, the world was plunged into another crisis. One which again had a direct impact on the energy sector and meant that things like conferences became taboo.
If we didn’t realise it before, this should have taught us that nothing compares to the value and experience of being at a physical event, in a live, vibrant environment bursting with energy, opportunity and actual people. (And that is true of our workplaces too).
So, it’s great to be back for Offshore Europe 2023. Focusing on energy security, energy transition, future talent and innovative technology. Mapping the journey to a sustainable, better energy future.
The event is kicked off again by a sold out Chamber Business Breakfast and we’ll be on stand 2K40. Please come and talk to us about the work the AGCC team is doing on behalf of the sector, companies and people that work in it.
And with our partners Invest Aberdeen, RGU, Opportunity North East and Energy Transition Zone we’ll be part of a series of presentations in the Learning Zone themed: The future of North-east Scotland as a global energy hub.
As we celebrate OE’s big five-0, we can allow our thoughts to wander back to our own favourite memories and how the sands of time have changed themes, stand design, tech (and some behaviours..) over half a century.
Also to reflect on the huge economic impact the event has had on the Aberdeen region. Bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors from almost every nation on the planet here benefiting all kinds of local businesses and putting multi millions of pounds into their tills.
But our focus must be on the next 50 years and beyond. The next phase in the development of the place that became a global oil and gas centre, today poised to become a world leading renewable energy hub.
For this to happen it is vital that an industry that was once celebrated is not now demonised. And that it is given the correct support, regulatory and fiscal environment to deliver a proper and managed transition. A change of state over time.
Attracting investment, protecting and creating jobs. Leading the world once more in developing energy technologies for their time.
