Aberdeen City and Shire will be joining forces once again to host local companies and explore industry issues at Offshore Europe 2015.
The event takes place in the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from today (September 8) and runs until Friday.
Around 1,500 exhibitors are expected at this year’s conference and exhibition, Involving 63,000 professionals from more than 100 countries.
Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council will once again be sharing a stand to promote the area’s international standing in the energy industry, following this year’s conference theme of ‘How to Inspire the Next Generation’.
The two-level stand, at area 2C20, will feature exhibition space for a range of local companies and organisations on the ground floor, and a lounge and presentation area on the upper level.
The stand has been developed with partners the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and Entiér Limited.
Entiér, Scotland's largest independent contract catering and support services company, will also be sponsoring the upstairs lounge, which will host a series of events over the course of the conference.
Exhibitors on this year’s stand include HRH Geology, Flowline Specialists, Churchill Drilling Tools, PDC Systems, AMT Intercargo, GCG Shotblasting Services, Cambla, Sea Energy, and Lofthus Signs & Engraving.
Also represented will be Energetica, Energy Institute, British Midland Regional, Roustabout Publications, Darcy Technologies, Petroplan Europe, Schoolhill Engineering.
Aberdeen City Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Laing, said: “With more than 100 countries represented among an estimated 65,000 delegates for Offshore Europe 2015, I think that reflects the high level of interest and opportunities available for businesses in the North Sea and across the world in terms of the export market.
“The oil and gas industry has undoubtedly been going through a challenging period, but the continued success of this event and recent announcements from BP and Maersk of billions of pounds of investment in the North Sea will provide a welcome vote of confidence.
“Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils also have the opportunity to showcase our bid for a City Region Deal which, with the help of the UK and Scottish governments, can help to anchor the supply chain here in the north-east and build upon the expertise that already exists in this area to ensure we continue to contribute strongly to UK Plc for many years to come.”
Aberdeenshire Council Co-Leader Cllr Martin Kitts-Hayes said: “It has undoubtedly been a very challenging time for the energy sector the world over but with that in mind it is very encouraging to see so many Aberdeenshire businesses with a presence at Offshore Europe.
“This confirms their optimism and confidence in the industry and reinforces the significant role Aberdeenshire businesses play in the North Sea and export markets.”
Co-Leader Cllr Richard Thomson said: “This year’s exhibition is focused on inspiring the next generation, and it is essential that we encourage and invest in those coming into the industry in order to address the challenges we currently face, and to innovate as we go through a period of change.
“I am sure the joint stand will play host to a range of stimulating discussions, exploring a wide range of ideas and topics that will help us move forward with confidence.”
Local projects and ambitious plans for the future will be among key topics of discussion at this year’s event.
The Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils are now in the process of detailed negotiations with the UK and Scottish governments for a City Region Deal which aims to further grow the already successful regional economy.
The Aberdeen City Region Deal is a unique opportunity to anchor the oil and gas industry to the north-east, as well as to expand upon the expertise and innovation that already exists locally to the wider energy sector and related industries.
The City Region Deal would improve transport links, infrastructure and housing to meet the demands of a growing population, while investing in innovation, research and development and internationalisation to ensure that Aberdeen City and Shire continues to contribute substantially to UK Plc for decades to come.