Page 42: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jul/Aug 2021)

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TEcH FIlES OTC SpOTlighT On new TeChnOlOgy

OTC & Ofshore Innovaton

From Sarajevo with L(ament)ove.

As the world has been shut down in stages due to COVID for the past 18 months, the same can’t be said for innovators in the ofshore energy sector, many of whom will be honored in Houston August 16-19, 2021, with an OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award.

By Bartolomej Tomic, Managing editor f you read Offshore Engineer regularly, OTC needs no Just two days after my visa appointment was canceled, OTC introduction. Better yet, if you’re reading it right now, organizers pushed to the third quarter of 2020, and eventu- you are probably in Houston at OTC, as this is where ally, as you know, cancelled the 2020 event the July/August edition of Offshore Engineer (barring Fast forward to 2021 and OTC, traditionally held in May,

I any unforeseen circumstances) is being distributed. has been moved to August 16-19. Hopefully, you’re reading

At its peak in 2014, OTC drew more than 100,000 at- these lines from the NRG Park. tendees from more than 100 countries, and while I’ve yet For me, this year too will, unfortunately, be another year to attend personally, I’ve wanted to. For a journalist whose where I’ll miss OTC, but I’m keeping my fngers crossed for beat is offshore energy, this is like attending the Champions 2022, and the chance to learn more on the technology devel-

League fnals. Despite covering the international offshore en- opments, and to meet the people behind the tech face-to-face, ergy industry since 2010 and visiting other industry events in over a beer (or two)!

Houston and globally, OTC and yours truly have yet to meet The OE crew will be in Houston this year, so stop by booth face-to-face. #2726 to pitch your story threads to Greg and the OE team.

I came close in early 2020, when I joined Offshore Engi- For myself, I’ll borrow the outro line from seemingly everyone neerand my new frm’s editor & associate publisher, Greg on YouTube: “I’ll catch you guys in the next one!”

Trauthwein, called and said “pack your bags for Houton.” But before I go, there’s something else you need to know

But then, COVID 19. (this is actually what you need to know, really!)

In March 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo – where I’m For each edition of the event, winners of the prestigious based – suspended visa applications and canceled my sched- OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award are announced. uled appointment. ‘There is still time,’ I thought, ‘this will This year is no different, with 14 technologies from 13 com- blow over in a few weeks and I’ll make it to the OTC, learn panies around the world selected, including fve companies about exciting tech advancements and share it with our read- receiving small business recognition. Read all about the win- ers extensively.’ But it wasn’t to be. ners on the next four pages.

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