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For the first time since before the pandemic, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is back fully in-person. At this year’s conference, held from May 2-5 at NRG Park in Houston, attendees can participate in a new event: the Energy Transition Pavilion focusing on the low-carbon industry outlook.

The pavilion will consolidate the technical sessions and floor exhibitions, allowing conference-goers to gain expertise from industry specialists and serving as the center for discussion surrounding all aspects of the energy transition.

“This is a great opportunity for us to put a focal point to that discussion, to get all the experts in one location and have some meaningful dialogue to debate, discuss opportunities and challenges to some of the problems that we see in the energy transition space,” Paul Jones, chairperson of the OTC board of directors, told Hart Energy.

“We've given [attendees] a place on the exhibit floor where we're going to have experts there; some of the exhibitors themselves will be providing key experts there at specific times during the week,” he continued. “So it's an engagement opportunity for everybody to learn more, challenge, debate and generally move our capabilities forward in this area.”

Headlining the pavilion is the moderated panel discussion “Decarbonizing Oil and Gas Operations: A Key Component of the Energy Transition” on Tuesday, May 3 from 9:45-11 a.m., which will explore how the continued need for hydrocarbons intertwines with the need for decarbonization in the energy transition.

“I think what you're going to see are industry experts talking about this whole area of decarbonization,” Jones said. “It's multifaceted and is important to all sectors of the oil and gas industry, as we move to lower carbon production and a more sustainable future. What I think the panel is going to do is give a broad overview and some specific insights into the challenges and successes that have been had so far.”

Deloitte vice chairman and U.S. oil, gas and chemicals lead Amy Chronis, who will speak on the decarbonization panel, recently emphasized the growth of the net-zero focus as the energy transition has become increasing important in a recent video roundtable with Hart Energy.

“The net-zero focus is real, and it’s going to continue to grow stronger,” she said in the roundtable. “The global energy system is set to undergo transformational change, with a reduced role for fossil fuels, a higher share for renewables in the energy mix, greater consumer choice and increasing levels of integration and competition for cleaner technologies.”

Chronis will be joined by Guillermo Sierra, vice president of strategic initiatives, energy transition, Nabors Industries; Paul Sims, vice president of marketing, Schlumberger; and Nicolas Tcherniguin, head of offshore technologies, Technip Energies, with Jane Stricker, vice president of energy transition and executive director of HETI, Greater Houston Partnership, moderating the panel.

Panelists will discuss the difficulties the industry is facing with the energy transition, including navigating financial challenges and finding a balance between traditional forms of energy and renewables, as well as the often unsung successes the industry has achieved.

“We’re finding that the energy transition is a journey with many pathways and, as with any new product or solution, still has a long way to go toward becoming scalable, economical and reliable,” Chronis said. “Investors and businesses need to create a managed and orderly transition that strives the balanced economics and the environment, and strike a balance between hydrocarbons and renewable energy.”


MORE OTC 2022 CONTENT:

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Decarbonizing Oil and Gas Operations: Schlumberger