Many Norwegian companies participated in this year's Offshore Technology Conference - one of the largest of its kind. The total number of visitors to the conference was reportedly the highest in 26 years.
5/13/2008 :: The total attendance to the Offshore technology Conference in Houston counted over 75,000. More than 2,500 companies were registered exhibitors, of which almost 60 Norwegian companies. Several delegations had traveled to Houston from Norway, State Secretary Liv Monica Stubholt headed a delegation from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy; local and regional governments were represented; and various businesses active in the petroleum and energy industry were also present in Houston.
While in Houston, Ms Stubholt met withUK Minister of State for Energy Malcolm Wicks, major Norwegian and international oil companies based in Houston, and the companies at the Norwegian Pavillion on the exhibition floor. Petroleum and energy is important for Norway, providing almost 1/3 of the govenment's revenues. Ms Stubholt noted that it therefore is important for the government to make sure that the businesses have a good and predictable regulatory framwork to operate in, while still taking into account the necessary safety precautions and reducing the negative effects on the global climate.
The delegations of the energy-regions of Stavanger, Hordaland and Finnmark were present in Houston to further, broaden and develop business initiatives. Stavanger has attracted a lot of attention from the international energy community, and as the activity on the Norwegian continental shelf is expanding, Hordaland and Finnmark are also bacoming more attractive for international companies in the petroleum and energy sectors.
The Norwegian integrated oil-giant StatoilHydro was awarded this year's Distinguished Achievement Award for Companies, Organizations, and Institutions for its subsea-to-shore development in the Ormen Lange project. The Norwegian company Cubility and the Norwegian-based oil and gas division of ABB were also recognized as two of the 14 receipients of this year's the Spotlight on New Technology Award.
Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Houston