The Offshore Technology Conference in Houston

Houston, Texas will be rolling out the carpet to Alberta – 11.3 kilometres of floor covering as a matter of fact. That’s the total amount of aisle carpet required to dress up The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) one of the most important energy industry conferences in the world. And the Government of Alberta and a contingent of 44 Alberta companies plan to stand out to some 75,000 potential partners and investors from 110 countries at Houston’s Reliant Centre and other surrounding sites, May 4-7. “It’s the one place that you need to be if you want to see someone or you want somebody to see you,” said Norm Morrison, trade director for Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations.

Along with other Government of Alberta staff, Morrison helps Alberta companies make those contacts that will allow them to expand their businesses all over the world. For the past several months Morrison and others have been gathering information about which international energy sector movers and shakers will be attending. As a result, several introductory meetings between Alberta companies and potential international partners will be taking place over the course of four very fast-paced days. “This conference is special because not only is it well attended, it’s well attended in my view by the largest percentage of international decision makers,” said Morrison, who has been attending since 1980. “These are the top executives and CEOs from companies everywhere.” This is the 32nd year the Alberta government has been participating in the conference.

A 20’ by 20’ Alberta booth will anchor the Canadian pavilion, featuring 28 of the Alberta companies attending. Government staff will be on-hand to help promote the province, answering questions and providing information on a wide list of subjects including tourism, energy production and environmental responsibility. Morrison explains why land-locked Alberta has taken the lead role in helping to co-ordinate other provinces’ participation in what is billed as an “off-shore” conference. “This conference is every bit as relevant to the on-shore sector. In fact, most of the technology used on-shore is completely transferrable off-shore,” he said. Alberta companies are regarded at the conference as highly competent and their products highly durable. And when they are told Alberta is home to the second largest proven oil reserve in the world their response is “your companies must be good,” he said.

Ted Redmond, executive vice president of energy products and services for Edmonton-based McCoy Corporation and their subsidiary Farr Canada has attended OTC for 25 of the last 26 years. “Farr Canada has grown from a small Alberta business into an international company with over 80 employees and 90 per cent of its revenues outside Canada,” said Redmond. “This is in part due to Farr’s participation in OTC and the international customers we met at the show.”

Trent Kaiser, the president of the Canadian Heavy Oil Association, sees one of his roles at the conference to be an advocate for individuals who have contributed their ingenuity to Canada’s heavy oil industry. He said many hard-working people have become disillusioned by some of the negative comments made by some groups about the industry. He plans to set up shop at the Alberta booth and give attendees to the conference a broader perspective of the industry. “People often approach me after my presentation on industry perceptions to tell me how others respond when they tell them where they work,” said Kaiser, a principal of Alberta company Noetic Engineering. “Those reactions are becoming increasingly negative. So while people are justifiably proud of their accomplishments they are becoming reluctant to share what they do for a living.” He wants to change that and help people in the industry convey their accomplishments with pride, adding his prediction is that before too long the oil sands will have a lower carbon footprint than conventional oil.

For more information about the conference see http://www.otcnet.org/2009/