Innovation Key to Thriving in a Challenging Environment

28 April 2009

Scottish companies to demonstrate growth and award-winning technologies at OTC 2009.

HOUSTON, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Scotland's energy sector will be back in full force at this year's Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), May 4-7 in Houston, to demonstrate how the nation is using innovation to thrive despite challenging economic times.

With representation from 40+ companies, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International and TalentScotland, the Scottish Pavilion at OTC will display the unparalleled collaboration between industry, academia and government that enabled Scotland's oil and gas supply chain to grow 10% in yearly sales to a record 14.2 billion in 2007/08.

"In today's challenging global economic climate, it is particularly important that we continue to recognize the excellence and expertise delivered by Scotland's world class oil and gas sector," said Brian Nixon, Head of Energy at Scottish Enterprise, Scotland's enterprise, innovation and investment agency. "This year, Scottish companies have demonstrated success by launching a number of innovative new products and technologies and receiving industry recognition for their achievements."

This year at OTC, E&P Magazine will honor Caledyne with a Meritorious Award for Engineering Excellence for its patented Metal-to-Metal (MTM) downhole seal system, which replaces traditional elastomer seals. Developed at the company's base in Aberdeen, Scotland, the MTM downhole seal consists of flexible material contained inside a metal shell, which creates a complete metal barrier in the well, and when fully energized, protects it from the harshest downhole conditions with a temperature rating of 300 degC and pressure rating of up to 15,000 psi.

The North Sea benefits from a collaborative approach between industry, academia and Scottish Enterprise in support of continued development by Scottish organizations of innovative technologies in key industry areas including high pressure and high temperature reservoirs, downhole and drilling technologies for mature fields, subsea technologies and engineering, production optimization, asset integrity and decommissioning.

The Scottish Pavilion will also showcase the Scottish Offshore Achievement Award winners, rising stars and proven innovators in the oil and gas industry. Known as the "Oil Oscars," and sponsored by companies including BP and Chevron, the Offshore Achievement Awards honor companies that are leading the sector in export achievement, safety, innovation, internationalization of Scottish skills and overall outstanding performance. Award winners including Product Services Network (PSN), Aberdeen Skills and Enterprise Training Ltd., Subsea 7, iicorr Ltd., READ Well Services, Cyclotech Ltd., Technip UK Ltd. and ARAMARK Ltd. will display their award-winning services at OTC.

"The Scottish Offshore Achievement Awards are a forum for highlighting and celebrating the many exceptional achievements of the oil and gas industry and the E&P award is a great example of how our industry is receiving global recognition," said Nixon. "In the face of declining North Sea production, Scottish oil and gas companies are showing the world that they can and will continue to develop innovative solutions to help maximize recovery."

Scottish companies will highlight the nation's world class expertise by launching new products at the Scottish Pavilion. Among new product launches are Offshore Marine Technology's launch of the AOT tool; Titan Torque Services Limited's launch of the Titan Protector; Rotech Subsea's launch of the Twin R2000, a new tool to the GOM; ACE Winches launch of mooring winches for FPSO's, Sub-drill's launch of the new MS-V2A Mud Saver; and Qserv's announcement of its expansion to Aker Qserv.