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RICHARDSON, Texas, U.S.A. (3 January 2003) –
Eight Topical Luncheons planned for the 35th Offshore Technology
Conference (OTC), 5 - 8 May, at Reliant Center will focus on key
issues and emerging world regions.
The Topical Luncheons, scheduled for Monday and
Wednesday, include presentations and discussions about current and
future offshore developments, industry challenges, best practices,
new concepts, case studies, and future opportunities.
John Huff, Chairman and CEO, Oceaneering International Inc.
This presentation focuses on “intervention planning”
by considering how applied technology has aided the industry in
advancing into deeper waters to provide a higher level of safety
and cost efficiency in deepwater operations. Huff also addresses
the need for intervention planning, showcases some examples of what
can happen when these plans go awry, discusses the benefits of inter-industry
technology exchange, and looks at preparations for the future. Huff
discusses how to improve operational effectiveness and safe working
practices with new philosophies, resources, and tools. Intervention
planning can have significant impact when applied to projects performed
in deepwater today and in even more challenging physical and economic
environments.
Chris Oynes, Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico, OCS Region, U.S.
Minerals Management Service
Oynes discusses the changing trends in exploration, development,
and leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. The discussion focuses on deep
gas incentives for shallow water production and the continued unfolding
of deepwater projects such as Nansen, Boomvang, Nakika, and Canyon
Express.
Ron Oligney, Adjunct Professor and Director Engineering Research
Development, University of Houston
This presentation boldly addresses the current and future state
of the energy industry, stressing public perceptions and current
politics. Does the emerging national energy strategy focus just
on the supply-side, mostly oil and gas, as the detractors say, or
does it also tout conservation? Will coal win or lose? Will nuclear
be resurrected? What is the status of deregulation, private investment
and environmental vigilance? Olginey also will discuss why the national
energy debate is persistently off base and colored with outdated
or outright wrong images.
Darrell Hollek, Vice President, Gulf of Mexico and Worldwide Deepwater
Operations, Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corp.
The presentation addresses past experiences followed by strategies,
opportunities, and outlook for independent oil and gas companies
in the deepwater developments around the world. Hollek also emphasizes
the essential expertise and qualities needed to build a successful
portfolio, and advantages of being a consistent and long-term player
in the deepwater markets.
Ed Merrow, Founder and President, Independent Project Analysis Inc.
Merrow examines how performance in project management and execution
has changed, and the primary drivers of those results. This review
may provide somewhat disturbing news to the industry—mediocrity
prevails. Over the past decade, Independent Project Analysis Inc.
(IPA) has benchmarked hundreds of upstream projects, ranging in
size from less than $1 million to more than $3 billion. The scope
of the project benchmarking has encompassed the overall asset development:
facilities, reservoir (subsurface), and wells. However, given the
capital investment in upstream projects, even modest improvements
in performance suggest a tremendous opportunity for the industry.
Merrow also provides a perspective on what would create break-through
performance in project execution.
Peter D. Kinnear, Vice President, Energy Systems Group, FMC Technologies
Inc.
This presentation reviews the history of how the subsea industry
arrived at its current state of technological and economical viability
and delivers insight as to what directions it must take to enable
the economic production of ultra-deepwater and high pressure/ high
temperature (HPHT) hydrocarbons. Recent discoveries in the ultra-deep
waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico HPHT reservoirs have generated
a set of technological challenges for the subsea industry that are
unlikely to be overcome by incremental change or extensions of existing
designs. The increasing momentum that is building to find and economically
develop ultra-deepwater and HPHT reserves will require both technological
and design process changes.
Thomas Knudson, Senior Vice President Government Affairs and Communications,
ConocoPhillips
This presentation shows how successful sustainable development is
the product of consensus—harmonizing the interests of energy
companies, consumers, environmentalists, government, and other stakeholders.
Technology and experimentation are the catalysts for consensus.
Technological advances make it possible to produce ample energy
supplies at reasonable prices and with the environment in mind.
Matt Simmons, Chairman and CEO, Simmons and Company International
Over the past two decades, massive consolidation has taken place
throughout the oil and gas service companies, ranging from the creation
of the world's "mega-majors" to "giant" new
independent oil and gas companies now the size of what were once
smaller major oil companies. Most parts of the oil service sector
now have three or four dominant players serving 80% to 90% of the
market. This presentation reflects on what has worked and what was
lost as consolidation occurred and what the future holds in terms
of added consolidation or the beginning of divestitures and start-ups
of new industry participants.
For more information on speakers, including biographical information
and photos, visit www.OTCnet.org and go to the Press Center.
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 .03 Web site at www.OTCnet.org.
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