Arctic Technology Conference (ATC) is an OTC conference managed by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. It is a highly focused event that addresses Arctic Energy and Petroleum challenges and opportunities. ATC was arranged for the second time in Houston this year, December 3rd-5th. This year’s conference included a highly specialized technical program, educational courses, networking events, and an exhibition, all designed to help ensure that oil and gas professionals throughout the world will be well prepared to responsibly handle the challenging Arctic arenas.
The conference attracted over 500 participants, including engineers, scientists, economists and other representatives from academia. The conference had attendees from Angola, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, U.A.E., UK and the US.
ATC featured more than 150 technical papers and posters, including topics like EER, Emissions, Discharge and Safety, Overview of Oil and Gas Activities in the Russian Arctic, Arctic Geophysics, Seismic Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation, Shipping and Transport and Floating Subsea Production Structures.
Several Norwegian companies had featured speakers and representatives throughout the conference, some also as exhibitors. Besides Statoil (also a sponsor), these included DNV, Axess, Aker Solutions, Frank Mohn Houston, Inc., Kongsberg Oil and Gas Technologies, Inc., MARINTEK, and TECHNI. Norwegian institutions represented included the University of Stavanger, the Petroleum Safety Authority (Ptil), INTSOK, Innovation Norway, and the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Houston.
In his opening plenary speech, Consul General Mykletun addressed Norway’s outlook and perspectives on the High North / Arctic, focusing on the Norwegian Government’s High North Strategy, central driving forces of the policy, and the overarching visions and trends for the High North. The Consul General underlined that there is no energy race in the Arctic, and that Norway is cooperating well with neighboring countries to utilize the resources based on sound environmental stewardship. The foundations have been laid for increased economic activity in a sustainable manner, and Norway aims to continue being a leading, active, knowledge-seeking, and responsible actor in the High North. “High North–Low Tension” characterizes the Arctic, the Consul General stressed.
The Consul General made special reference to the importance of the Arctic Council and the Law of Seas. He made also reference to the interest of non-Arctic countries seeking observer status in the Arctic Council. He furthermore mentioned the many countries having formulated their own Arctic Policies, which seen as a whole, underscores the increased international attention given to the High North / Arctic. Besides energy, climate change is the other major driver for this enhanced focus.
The speech triggered great interest, and was very well received by the audience. Norway’s presence and role in the Arctic / High North was well documented, and by many referred to as an impressive, holistic approach.
Later on the same day, the Consul Generals of the UK, Canada and Norway co-hosted a reception for the ATC-guests, where almost 150 people attended. Co-arranging multilateral conference events and receptions in Houston remains an important focus for the Norwegian Consulate General.
The 3rd ATC will be held in Houston 10th-12th February 2014.