Technical Exhibition and Workshop hosted by the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr John Browne, T.D. and the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD).
Post Event Critique
Background
This event was designed to kick off a campaign to promote offshore hydrocarbon exploration in Ireland. It was funded by the PIP/PEPPS Expanded Offshore Support Group (EOSG). The planning, organisation and execution of the event, which took less than two months to complete, were all performed in-house by the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD).
Key exploration companies, contractors, consultants and researcher organisations were targeted for participation and invitations were sent out on 21 June 2004.
The Event
The event was opened by the Minister of State Mr John Browne T.D. at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on 27 July 2004. Mr Browne also announced details for the forthcoming Northeast Rockall Basin Frontier Lisensing Round, which is due to close 31 March 2005. The new PAD Sample Store in Sandyford was formally commissioned the following day, 28 July, by Mr Michael Guilfoyle, Assistant Secretary at the Department.
The objective of the event was to demonstrate the advantages and opportunities of exploring in Ireland to the full E&P sector by getting all stake-holders (including the PAD) actively involved through oral presentations, technical displays/posters and networking. The programme was designed to strike a balance between the time available for imparting information and for business contact. In all, 39 presentations were grouped into 8, themed, oral sessions while the technical exhibition comprised 45 booths; the event concluded with a plenary session.
Outcome
The event attracted a large attendance 176 delegates from E&P companies, contractors, consultants, researchers, Government departments and agencies. Some twenty exploration companies were represented of which about a half a dozen are not presently active in Ireland. Virtually all major seismic contractors were present along with several important geological and geophysical consultants. Irish research organisations were also well represented. There were a few conspicuous no shows from the industry and, as expected, the N. American independent sector was not really tapped.
The event was acknowledged as a great success by the delegates programme content, talks, exhibition displays, numbers attending from the industry and contractors, business done, contacts made and networking. A number of improvements were suggested for the next time all easily implemented. A summary of Delegates Comments & Recommendations is attached.
The workshop & technical exhibition were considered to have created a constructive awareness of the E&P sector in Ireland, fostering the exchange of essential information and facilitating business networking. The Departments proactive role in promoting the sector was also openly acknowledged and welcomed by the Irish Offshore Operators Association (IOOA). Several new Irish G&G projects and project proposals were presented and there were even some direct expressions of interest in obtaining licences.
And it has provided PAD with vital feedback and advice on its promotional strategies; offers of assistance were also forthcoming. Above all, the message was to continue the promotional campaign by participating in other international E&P events and by repeating the Dublin event, as early as Q3 2005.
Petroleum Affairs Division
16 August, 2004
DELEGATES
COMMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
PLENARY SESSION 28 July, 2004
- PAD roundly complimented on success of event
- PAD should have announced Rockall Round earlier (Shell)
- PAD should hold event annually / biannually (Ramco)
- PAD urged to promote more seismic activity (Statoil)
- PAD urged to promote use of all relevant data (GSI)
- PAD should consider bringing event to Aberdeen (Millennia)
DISCUSSION/EMAIL/COMMENT FORMS during and post event
In relation to present event...
- PAD has pulled off a fantastic event
- very successful, informative and productive
- a big step forward in the way rounds are announced
- attendees had common interest in Irish E&P
- right balance between concise and informative
- event filling a niche (no competing events)
- had already arranged a return trip to visit...
- had queries about data...
- interesting approaches to data release
- low costs helpful to small concerns
- will follow up on Rockall Round with contactors
- applied research particularly interesting
- two venues a good idea (mixed views)
- PAD asked to distribute List of Attendees
als - congratulations; thanks; well organised; good show of registrants; useful contacts made; interesting; informative; business done; wonderful; excellent; good atmosphere; friendly; hotel & catering excellent...
Suggested areas for improvement:
- a lot of people away July/August
- two venues not a good idea (mixed views)
- too Dublin centric (ref. universities)
- companies could have said more on results/future plans
- lectures and exhibition conflicted
- could have better presentation hand-outs
- problems with on-site registration
In relation to future events...
- facilitate slightly longer industry talks
- more warning to allow people to prepare
- advertise in PESGB Newsletter
- more emphasise on Irelands world-class terms
- have 1-2hrs/day for exhibition only
- consider a full ISPSG Conference
- give some time for brief questions (excl. Plenary)
- keep the event in Ireland
- participate in other trade shows incl. N America
- promote as Irish Pavilion at global E&P events; offers of support
- try to target small new entrant consultants
- make further PIP studies publicly available