The world’s biggest oil and gas show, June 11-13 in Calgary, is expected to generate at least $12 billion worth of industry business within a year, organizers say.
Now called the Global Petroleum Show to reflect its expanding size and scope, the conference and trade show is expected to attract more than 50,000 delegates from more than 80 countries. Until this year, the biennial event had been known as the National Petroleum Show.
“I think the importance of the Global Petroleum Show really demonstrates to the world what we’re doing here in Calgary, in terms of technology, science and business,” Mayor Dave Bronconnier says.
The show at Stampede Park includes more than 1,460 companies exhibiting their products and services in 250,000 sq. ft. of indoor space and 250,000 sq. ft. outside.
The outdoor exhibits showcase large field equipment that range from new drilling technology to environmentally friendly incinerators for gas-well flaring emissions.
The Global Petroleum Show occurs only two weeks prior to the G8 summit in Kananaskis Country. But the show’s organizers and Bronconnier don’t anticipate any trouble from anti-globalization activists.
Show organizer Peter Faloon, of dmg world media, says while the usual security for hosting a large event will be in place, no additional security is planned or considered necessary.
Bronconnier says he expects to see the kind of turnout and business deals for which the petroleum show has been known since 1968. “I do not anticipate any change whatsoever. I think it’s going to be a bigger and better party this time.”
Organizers expect this year’s show to generate at least $12 billion in new oilpatch business – the amount that flowed directly from contacts and deals initiated at the 2000 show.
“When you look at what the industry spends globally, that’s a pretty fair percentage of the global market,” Faloon notes.
Direct and indirect economic spinoffs to Calgary from hosting the event are expected to total about $20-$25 million.
Running in conjunction with the trade show is the 53rd annual Canadian International Petroleum Conference, sponsored by the Petroleum Society of CIM (Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum).
Conference organizer Frank Brunner says this year’s theme is Sustainable Growth: Strategy, People and Technology.
Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, now director of the University of British Columbia’s Lui Centre for the Study of Global Issues, will present a keynote talk. Other keynote speakers include Alberta Energy Minister Murray Smith and Abdallah S. Jum’ah, president and chief executive of Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest petroleum company.
Alberta Economic Development will host the petroleum show’s International Business Centre, where individuals can meet and access business expertise, services and leads on opportunities abroad.
“The centre provides the ideal venue for those seeking Canadian products, services and technology that will enhance their organization’s professional and market edge,” says Economic Development Minister Mark Norris.
The show also features a North of 60 Business Opportunity Centre for exploring the potential of Canada’s North, and the Gulf Publishing Centre Stage Theatres for presentations and breaking announcements.
Other highlights are the LaunchPad, a daily platform for participants to unveil new products and services, and the Deal of the Day, a daily announcement of which individuals and companies have struck a deal or forged a partnership.
Some leading technologies and services to be on display include:
* Advanced laser and PC software that quickly and accurately generates 3-D data in addition to 3-D models, from Spacial Services Inc. of Colorado.
* Calgary-based BW Technologies’ stage-of-the-art portable equipment for detecting hazardous gases.
* Canadian Advanced Inc.’s electric submersible pumps, designed to resist plugging and operate for long periods in harsh conditions. The pumps are tested and manufactured in Edmonton at the most advanced facility of its kind in the world.
* Partnering for Petroleum, a new business model for automating next-generation digital plants in the upstream, transmission and refining sectors, from Emerson Process Management, headquartered in Missouri.
* Quick Link Communications Ltd.’s (based in Calgary and Toronto) “Connect” satellite network and suite of services, providing private, high-speed data and Internet communications between head office and exploration/ production sites.
* The latest in collaborative technology from SMART Technologies Inc. of Calgary, including interactive whiteboards, concept-mapping software and multimedia furniture.
