Mood upbeat as Subsea Expo attracts record attendance numbers

More than 6,600 delegates gathered at Europe’s largest subsea event, Subsea Expo, in Aberdeen this week, one of the biggest attendances on record in the event’s 15 year history.

Organised by industry body Subsea UK, the event welcomed delegates from all corners of the world, including the United States, Mozambique, India, Kurdistan and Azerbaijan.

Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK, said: “This year’s Subsea Expo has been one of the biggest and best in the show’s history. Our largest delegation of international visitors underlines the demand for and interest in UK expertise and technology and reinforces our industry’s world-leading position.

“The mood was much more upbeat than previous years, from the exhibition floor to the conference plenary and the technical sessions. This reflects the renewed optimism in oil and gas, our main market sector and the increasing potential in offsore wind, which is fast becoming a key sector for the subsea industry.

“But it also demonstrates the excitement and potential around our role in the energy transition and the Blue Economy.”

This year’s event boasted almost 200 exhibitors and 70 speakers and welcomed 180 school children.

Tim Sheehan, global business development and strategy director at Boskalis, said: “Having the opportunity to meet directly with the supply chain is extremely valuable and the reason we keep coming back to Subsea Expo. This year has been no exception and the optimistic mood of vistors to our stand suggests that the industry really is moving in the right direction.”

Rob Kennedy, digital programme manager at Wood, said: “Subsea Expo has been the ideal event for launching our automated design - pipeline platform. We have been really encouraged by the level of engagement both at the technical sessions and with our live demonstrations on the stand. Overall the atmosphere has been really positive.”

Craig Mann, director at Balgownie Limited, added “This is our first time exhibiting at Subsea Expo and we’ve generated some very worthwhile leads. The subsea market is one we are breaking into just now and this has been an amazing platform to get us in front of the right customers.”

Martin van Onna, chief operating officer, Airborne Oil & Gas, said: “We secured our first sale here in 2014 and have always been very impressed by the level of engagement at Subsea Expo.

“This year, we’ve enjoyed discussions around the development of new technology, and how our thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) can support operators towards a lower carbon future. We’re heading back to our HQ in The Netherlands confident that there is real appetite to innovate and disrupt the subsea sector, and we’re proud to play our part.”

Neil Gordon

Neil Gordon

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