From May 1-4 Offshore Technology Conference 2023 took place in Houston. It is one of the most important offshore industry events in the world. Invest in Pomerania, together with local partners, presented the design and production potential of the Pomerania region for the third time. Participants in the delegation included a group of companies whose participation was co-financed from the Pomeranian Export Broker project.
For more than 50 years energy professionals have been meeting at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston to exchange ideas and experience in the offshore industry. This year, 1,000 exhibitors and 24,000 professionals from more than 90 countries registered for the event. The conference and accompanying trade show brings together engineers, technicians, executives, scientists, managers and investors from all areas of the offshore energy sector.
Pomerania at OTC
Invest in Pomerania and the Pomeranian Export Broker – local government initiatives coordinated by the Pomerania Development Agency – organised a stand of the Pomeranian Voivodeship at the OTC and a tour of Pomeranian companies supplying products and services to the offshore oil & gas industry .
– There are many reasons to be in places like Houston. The competence and experience of our companies allow us to compete in global markets and this is what we want to show here. The OTC is an opportunity to search for investors in the sector and the latest solutions that could contribute to our country’s energy independence – says Mieczysław Struk, Marshall of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
A strong industry: from design to implementation
Just as traditional mining remains the domain of southern Poland, Pomerania has for years been developing a strong cluster of companies providing a wide range of services in seabed hydrocarbon extraction. The region’s strength lies in its specialist personnel. Local universities bring in technical graduates year after year, allowing local companies to successfully implement advanced projects for global suppliers. The industry effectively combines knowledge, vast experience and the ability to use state-of-the-art technology.
The OTC conference is an opportunity to illustrate this potential. Among others, Mostostal Pomorze SA, a manufacturer of large-scale steel and aluminium structures sold to foreign and domestic markets, presented its offer at the stand. The company carries out highly advanced and specialised projects mainly for the offshore industry, including oil and gas extraction, drilling platforms, underwater installations and offshore wind power. It builds structures and installations for the petrochemical and refining, construction, infrastructure or shipbuilding industries.
– We have built structures for 16 offshore wind farms, including the first located off the coast of the US-Vineyard. We are working to expand into new markets, which is why we are attending the OTC in Houston this year. We are specialised in the offshore industry and, as one of the few companies in Poland, we deliver large-scale steel structures in accordance with global quality standards – says Arkadiusz Aszyk, Chief Executive Officer, Mostostal Pomorze SA.
The Pomeranian delegation also included the Polish branch of the multinational Bilfinger. The company, which provides modern consulting and engineering services, has clients in the chemical, energy and industrial sectors. In Houston, it is presented its proposals for the oil and gas and offshore industries. Its portfolio includes realisations for foreign companies, and in Poland for such large entities as Grupa LOTOS SA, LOTOS Terminale, Naftoport , PKN ORLEN, Rafineria Gdańska and PERN.
The offer of modern and innovative solutions and services at the Pomeranian stand was presented by companies such as PELIXAR SA and Flint Systems. The former provides comprehensive aerial robotics solutions for companies, industry and institutions. It offers aerial drones and systems for a range of tasks such as search and rescue, measurement and detection, technical surveillance and inspection, and monitoring systems. Flint Systems offers customers training simulators using virtual reality to prepare employees in any industry, including offshore.
– Our training tool, the VR-based CTV ship simulator, has many advantages. It allows us to carry out training in conditions close to real life, but at the same time without risk to employees. We can simulate any situation, any weather conditions, practice dealing with life-threatening conditions. And all this under conditions of full immersion, i.e. immersion in a virtual world – explains Leszek Tarnawski, CEO of Flint Systems.
Also present at the stand ws Baltic Diving Solution, a provider of underwater work, ROV inspections and AUV drones. It is also involved in surveys, surveys and project consultancy and supervision, mainly for the oil and gas, renewable energy and hydraulic engineering sectors.
Bota Technik, a company that services propulsion and automatic systems in equipment used in the maritime sector, and the Polish Maritime Technology Forum were also partners of the regional stand.
These are just some of the offerings that demonstrated the strength of the Polish maritime industry in Houston. Among other things, the Invest in Pomerania team presented its latest report Focus on: maritime sector in Pomerania 2023, which broadly outlines Pomerania’s strengths in terms of current trends driving the maritime industry with a focus on low carbon and digitalisation.
– Recently, we have been handling an increasing number of project enquiries in the offshore oil & gas area. The war in Ukraine is strongly simmering the industry and consequently the demand for advanced engineering projects is growing. As a result, foreign companies are looking for new locations for project centres, and in this context the Tricity has access to well-prepared personnel – convinces Mikołaj Trunin, Deputy Director, Invest in Pomerania.
