OE2015 produced a busy week of deals, launches and announcements that serve to reaffirm the North-east’s pivotal and important role in developing and innovating for the oil & gas industry across the globe.
There is no doubt that this year’s Offshore Europe conference and exhibition comes at a time when many in the industry are steering their companies through turbulent waters and we are all too aware of the challenges that the industry will face in the months ahead.
Attracting around 60,000 visitors to an event in our little city is quite an achievement, attracting them from over 100 countries reinforces the view that those on the outside have of the ingenuity, skills and ability of the people in the North-east cluster.
We should celebrate that.
We know that building international links and relationships is key to the future development of the industry here.
A recent supply chain study by your Chamber on behalf of Scottish Enterprise revealed that for the first time over 50% of trading was delivered from outside of the UKCS.
And we know that we need to do more.
The relationships built over during OE2015 have the power to deliver export growth for our members and for this region.
As oil prices continue to fluctuate and operating costs remain under scrutiny, there is an increasing need for reliable, innovative and cost-effective products to help ensure the future viability of the industry.