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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: KEVIN MCPHERSON (+1-972-952-9371, e-mail
kmcpherson@otcnet.org)
RICHARDSON, TX, U.S.A.
(5 February 2002) - The future of deepwater offshore exploration
and production and the new global energy economy in the upstream
oil and gas industry are two of the key topics of discussion at
the General Sessions and Topical Luncheons planned for the 34th
Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), 6 - 9 May, at Reliant Center.
Going to the heart of the most substantial issues
for offshore professionals, the OTC 2002 General Sessions offer
expert perspectives and global examinations. The panel discussions
provide a platform for unfettered presentations and unrehearsed
discussions about the current landscapes and the probable futures
of these issues.
2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, 7 May
Moderator: Michelle Michot Foss, Director, Energy Institute,
University of Houston.
Panelists: James Ball, Gas Strategies and Managing Partner,
Managing Director, EconoMatters Ltd.; Donald Condon Jr., President
and General Manager, Conoco Energy Venturus Inc.; John Darley,
Director, Shell Technology E&P; Kathleen Eisbrenner, Chief
Commercial Officer, El Paso Global LNG.
Offshore natural gas reserves promise significant potential to
meet critical energy needs today and in the future. However, recovery
of these resources represents a number of challenges. The panel
will address the technological requirements necessary to develop
offshore natural gas resources along with the commercial strategies
needed, including policy considerations.
2 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, 8 May
Moderator: William R. Barger, E&P Area Manager, Independent
Project Analysis Inc.
Panelists: Gary Hagstrom, General Manager Project Resources,
ChevronTexaco Corp.; Mahdi Hasan, Vice President-Development Execution,
Shell International E&P Inc.; Bill Higgs, Co-Founder and Executive
Vice President, Mustang Engineering Inc.; Richard E. Westney,
Founder/CEO, Westney Project Services. The climate for offshore
project execution is changing rapidly. With downsizing and merging
companies, increasing reliance on service and support organizations,
fewer new graduates entering the industry, and growing complexity,
the future success of offshore projects will require major changes
in current project execution models. This session will address
the changing landscape and discuss the issues related to major
project execution in the oil and gas industry.
Eight Topical Luncheons that bring specific issues
or emerging world regions to a special setting for conference attendees
are slated for Monday and Wednesday. Topical Luncheons include presentations
and discussions about current and future offshore developments,
industry challenges, best practices, new concepts, case studies,
and future opportunities.
Hal Goldie, Vice President Offshore Systems, Cooper Cameron Corp.
This presentation will describe a vision and plan to meet the
industry's subsea field development needs around the world. Goldie
will discuss the technical advances, effective project management,
new technical challenges and solutions, and project management
innovations needed to work toward successful subsea field developments
anywhere in the world.
Paul J. Pluta, Rear Admiral, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety
and Environmental Protection, United States Coast Guard
Pluta will discuss the philosophical foundation, the process,
and the status of deepwater petroleum reserves in the Gulf of
Mexico, as a major development which looms large on the horizon.
Norman Brammer, Vice President, ABB Vetco Gray
New drilling challenges, techniques, and equipment will all contribute
to the future of the industry, but the integration of drilling
and completion offers the additional, significant promise of cost
reduction and risk mitigation. Brammer will discuss drilling solutions
and industry barriers in some depth with examples of breakthrough
thinking, producing the potential of considerable improvement
in the economics of these activities in very deep water.
Ivan Kirschner, Senior Principal Scientist, Anteon Corp.
In this presentation, Kirschner provides an overview of recent
research in the supercavitation of high speed bodies, including
the results of selected experiments with supercavitating projectiles
at supersonic speeds in water and several topics in computational
methods and simulation.
Carlos Tadeu da Costa Fraga, South-Southeast Executive Manager,
Petrobras E&P
Fraga will discuss the Operational Excellence Program for the
Offshore Units that was created after the conclusion of the P-36
accident investigations. This program includes several actions
in different areas, such as safety, engineering, operations, stability
and ballast, maintenance, and human resources.
Energy markets have been sensitive to the vicissitudes of the
global economy in recent years. In this presentation, Gillis will
attempt to access the recent record and prospects of U.S. and
world economic performance, with some extensions to the outlook
for oil and gas.
Michel Benezit, President, TotalFinaElf Exploration & Production,
Africa
Benezit will introduce one of TotalFinaElf's most innovative
projects, GOM Canyon Express. This global deep offshore strategy,
a follow up to 40 years of innovation from the Girassol field,
will be presented.
Tom Ehret, President, Offshore Branch, Technip-Coflexip
Ehret will review and analyze the challenge of being best in
class among offshore contractors by identifying those areas that
can make the most difference in terms of successful and competitive
project execution. His presentation will focus on human resources,
technologies, assets and management principles.
Founded in 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference is the
world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources
in the fields of drilling, exploration, production and environmental
protection. OTC is held annually in May at Reliant Center at Reliant
Park in Houston. For more information, visit the OTC 2002 Web site
at www.OTCnet.org.
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