Attendance at the 2011 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) reached a 29-year high of 78,150, up 8% from last year, as offshore energy industry experts from around the world came together at the world's largest event for offshore resources development. OTC was held 2-5 May at Reliant Park in Houston.

Attendance surpassed the 2010 total of 72,025, and the sold-out exhibition was the largest since 1982 at 603,000 square feet, up from 568,000 square feet in 2010. New this year was the OTC Parkway spanning from Reliant Center to Reliant Arena, which increased the outdoor exhibition space. The event had 2,520 companies from 40 countries, including 306 new exhibitors in 2011, and added exhibitors from Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines.

"The outstanding attendance underscores that OTC is the show to attend, and reflects the economic recovery as well as the importance of global offshore resource development in meeting world energy demand. This is an industry that rises to and meets incredible challenges, and the best minds from around the world come together at OTC to share our knowledge, to learn about technological advances and innovative approaches, to solve problems and to discuss important issues that affect the entire planet,” said Susan Cunningham, 2011 OTC chairman.

This year’s event offered one of the strongest technical programs ever with speakers from every major global producing area. A primary focus of the conference was the impact on deepwater drilling of the Macondo accident in the Gulf of Mexico, with 11 sessions presenting government and energy leaders discussing the lessons learned to take forward across the globe. OTC's Spotlight on New Technology program highlighted 15 innovative technologies that are already making the industry more effective.

The inaugural Annual OTC Dinner was attended by more than 1,000 industry leaders and conference attendees, and raised $200,000 for the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. OTC also presented its 2011 Distinguished Achievement Awards at the sold-out event Sunday at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

“The health and sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico is vital to the businesses that work in and alongside it. Recognition by the Offshore Technology Conference is the culmination of decades of collaborative efforts between the Gulf of Mexico Foundation and the offshore industries to understand and protect the quality of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem,” said Gulf of Mexico Foundation President and CEO Quenton Dokken in accepting the OTC donation.

OTC continues to grow with two new conferences being held in 2011. The OTC Arctic Technology Conference was held in February in Houston, focusing on both offshore and onshore technology for Arctic exploration and development. OTC Brasil, focusing on global deepwater projects with a special emphasis on Brazil, will be held in Rio de Janeiro in October, and is attracting strong exhibitor interest.

The 2012 OTC takes place 30 April-3 May 2012 at Reliant Park.

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