The main theme for the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) event in Stavanger, Norway, from 22-25 August 2006 will be “bridging the energy gap”.

This choice reflects a desire by one of the world’s top petroleum industry meeting places to point the way to tomorrow’s solutions both technologically and geo-politically.

With demand for energy greater than ever, industry globally will depend on good solutions being found to meet their future needs.

“We want to be an exhibition, conference and cultural festival which looks ahead and takes the challenges facing the oil, gas and energy industries seriously,” says Kjell Ursin-Smith, managing director of the ONS Foundation.

“Today’s high petroleum prices are not just a matter of high returns. They also affect the lives of ordinary people and national economics, and could spark dramatic energy crises.”

Meeting these challenges calls for a long-term commitment to new technology which improves recovery from existing fields and overcomes the environmental challenges faced in new and often vulnerable regions.

Another crucial requirement is to secure stable deliveries of oil and gas across national boundaries and between continents, and to find renewable energy solutions for coming generations.

“ONS has been regarded for many years as Europe’s leading meeting place for the oil and gas industry,” Mr Ursin-Smith observes.

“Few venues bring together so many people to promote innovatory solutions and ideas, and to create new relationships.

“So we believe that we can serve as an important arena for promoting solutions to the many challenges which need to be overcome.“Our main theme for ONS 2006 – bridging the energy gap – clearly illustrates the role we aim to play in the hunt for such answers.”