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OTC "94 26th Annual Conference

Slated For May 2 to 5 ! J

Touted as the leading worldwide forum for the exchange of tech-nical information vital for ex-ploration and development of ocean resources and protection of the offshore environment, the 1994 ver- sion of the Offshore Technology Con- ference (OTC) once again offers a strong cast of exhibitions and confer- ences.

Scheduled for May 2 to 5 at the Houston Astro dome U.S.A. Com plex, OTC prima rily serves the off- shore industry en- gineers, manag- ers and scientists from around the globe.

Considered a eading interna- tional event, the

OTC exhibition will include approxi- mately 1,250 manufac- turers and suppliers of offshore equipment and ser vices, occupying more than 225,000- sq.-ft. of space in the ExpoCenter,

Astrohall and outdoor exhibition arena. Recent exhibit space reserva- tion statistics indicated a 10 percent increase over last year's show, a fact show management attributes to in- creased emphasis on overseas opera- tions and a general expansion of the world market. National stands will include companies and delegations from: Canada, the European Com- munity, Finland, France, Germany,

Italy, Japan, Monaco, The Nether- ands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, the

J.K. and, for the first time, Austra- ia.

Since OTC's inception more than a quarter of a century ago, more than one million registrants representing 100 countries have attended the tech- nical programs and exhibitions. "The field-ready' nature of our technical papers has always been an OTC hall- mark," said Stephen Cassiani of

Exxon Exploration Co., and the in- coming Chairman of the OTC Board of Directors. Of the papers for pre- sentation, the focus will vary and address a wide range of topics con- sidered crucial to more efficient, safer and environmentally conscious off- shore oil and gas operations.

Two highlights of the 48 session technical program are "Incen- ^ tives/Disincentives in Off- shore Developments" on

Tuesday, May 3; and "U.S. Natural Gas

Supply Options" on

Wednesday May 4.

The former will ex- amine emerging trends that serve as indicators of the future of offshore development projects, spotlighting promising opportuni- ties, while the latter will offer opinions on the strategic options available to meet projected increased

U.S. demand for natural gas, with a discussion of alternative sources.

A total of 244 papers were ac- cepted for presentation, and while the topics, speakers and times are too lengthy to provide in their en- tirety, morning sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday; afternoon ses- sion will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

A sampling of the topics for discus- sion include: Instrumentation and

Control Systems; Gryphon Field

Development; Mobile Offshore Drill- ing and Production Units; Floating

Production Systems; Design & Re- pair of Offshore Structures; and En- vironmental Compliance — Indus- try Trends.

For additional information on

OTC '94, contact: OTC, P.O. Box 833868, Richardson, Texas 75083- 3868, tel: (214) 952-9494; fax: (214) 952-9435.

OTC '94 Technical Program Highlights

Day/Time Topic/Description

Monday, May 2: Topical Luncheon - "HIBERNIA": Bob Kimberlin, president of the Hibernia

Management and Development Co., Ltd., will detail the challenges of Hibernia, the first major oil development production project offshore Newfoundland on Cana- da's east coast.

Monday, May 2: uesday, May 3:

Topical Luncheon - "Offshore Vietnam: Business Opportunities for Operators,

Contractors and Vendors": A revealing presentation on the Vietnamese oil and gas industry, including information on existing fields and proven discoveries. Discussion to include descriptions of the Vietnamese State's decision-making structure, and how oil and gas policies are established and carried out. "Incentives/Disincentives in Offshore Developments": Widespread offshore development of subsea hydrocarbons has become a global enterprise and competition for large producing companies finite operating capital is a relatively new phenomenon to the industry.

Vednesday, May 4: Topical Luncheon: "AUGER—One Giant Step in Deepwater Evolution": R.A. (Rich)

Pattarozzi, general manager of the Deepwater E&P Div. for Shell Offshore Inc. in

New Orleans, will discuss the evolution of the exploration and development of the deepwaters of the Gulf of Mexico. The design, fabrication and installation of the record-setting Auger tension leg platform anapipelines have been completed under budget. (See related story, page 18.)

Vednesday, May 4: "U.S. Natural Gas Supply Options": While U.S. demand for natural gas is rising 2.5 percent annually, the U.S. supply is declining. As a result, gas prices are rising.

A panel of government officials ana industry executives will discuss the options to meet projected U.S. demand.

April, 1994 17