Human resources

OTC 2017: Where to Find the Best Networking Opportunities and Emerging Technologies

Before you head to OTC 2017, make plans for the event’s best opportunities for professional networking and to learn about the array of new technologies pushing their way into the business.

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Since 1969, energy professionals from across the world have descended upon Houston in early May to make critical decisions, share ideas, and develop business partnerships.

All this takes place at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which not only is a venue to learn and share important technical information, but it also brings the industry together like no other event. This starts with the 13 nonprofit scientific organizations who sponsor OTC and work cooperatively to develop the technical program.

Beyond the program, though, is the opportunity for individual professionals to network with peers in a face-to-face setting. OTC also keeps a keen eye to the future by providing a venue for university students, young professionals, and start-up companies. Below is a list of where you will find some of the best chances to take advantage of these events—all included as part of regular OTC registration.

Key Networking Opportunities

Second Annual Reaching Out and Reaching Up

Monday, May 1 from 1600–1800 | NRG Center, Level 2 | Room 202

This event was established to offer professional guidance for résumé-building and interview tips, all with a focus on helping attendees maintain their visibility in the current market. Professionals of all stripes, from HR and IT to geoscience and engineering, are invited to collaborate and learn at the special event. Topics to be covered include: building a career roadmap, revamping your social media presence, elevator speeches, and how to build trusted relationships with recruiters.

The Next Wave

Monday, May 1 from 0800–1630 | NRG Center, Level 2 | Room 300

Designed and organized by young professionals, The Next Wave helps open communication between the generations. Young professionals will have the opportunity to share, learn, and network with their peers through the 2017 program, “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders in Oil and Gas: Strategies and Ideas to Excel in the Present Day Climate.” 

Efficient Organizations: Leaning Up in the Low Price Environment

Tuesday, May 2 from 1600–1800 | NRG Center, Level 2 | Room 202

The session will feature keynote speakers from Shell and Statoil who will share the strides made within their respective organizations to stay competitive in the current market. Attendees will then have the opportunity to interact with leaders from multiple onshore and offshore project teams in small groups to learn about their efficient approaches to project management and execution.

Women in the Industry Sharing Experiences (WISE)

Wednesday, May 3 from 1215–1800 | NRG Center, Level 2

Once a two-hour networking session, the WISE event has been elevated to a half-day program. Consistent with its mission to create an inclusive space at OTC, the WISE event includes three sessions where men and women leaders of our industry have opportunities to network and discuss how diversity enhances business performance.

Under the theme “Diversity, Communication, and Leadership at All Levels Create Stronger Teams and Organizations,” keynote speakers, panelists, and roundtables will focus on the value of a diverse environment, communicating across disciplines, leadership styles, and more.

Discover New Ideas and Startup Technology Developers

OTC University R&D Showcase

Monday, May 1–Wednesday, May 3 from 0900–1700
Thursday, May 4 from 0900–1400 | NRG Center, Level 2, Outside Room 600

This long standing event at OTC provides universities from across the world an opportunity to share with attendees their current and planned R&D projects relevant to offshore technology.

Participating universities will showcase their R&D projects during one of the four days of the conference. Presentations will feature new work on multiphase flow in pipes and wellbores, offshore structures for power, and controlled annular mud level drilling.

Rice Alliance Startup Roundup

Monday, 1 May 1400–1700 | NRG Arena, Level 2, Stockman’s Club

Entering its third year, the Rice Alliance Startup Roundup at OTC happens on Monday, 1 May. This OTC showcase event will offer 50 emerging energy technology companies a chance to make 3-minutes pitches to before some of the upstream sector’s top investors and venture capital managers. Sponsoring companies include BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, GE, Shell, Baker Hughes, and Saudi Aramco.

It offers a great opportunity for OTC attendees to learn more about these evolving businesses and enable new partnerships during a networking reception held at the event’s conclusion. Over the past 15 years, the Rice Alliance has featured startups that went on to raise more than USD 3.1 million in startup and follow-on funding.

OTC 2017 runs 1–4 May at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. The event is sponsored by 13 nonprofit organizations in the energy industry (including SPE), which work cooperatively to develop the technical program. Revenue from OTC directly benefits the membership of these societies. In addition to the technical program, OTC also features an exhibition, training courses, special events, and more. For more information and to register to attend, visit 2017.otcnet.org. New online feature: when you browse the technical program, there is a function to “Search by Sponsoring Organization.” Choose Society of Petroleum Engineers to view the sessions that SPE is sponsoring or co-sponsoring with other societies.