A fresh outlook

Following a challenging period for oil and gas, Asia’s biennial flagship industry event, OSEA, emerges this year with a fresh new look, as well as an expanded focus on the burgeoning gas value chain in Asia. Staging its 22nd edition, OSEA2018 will be held on 27–29 November in Singapore, at the Marina Bay Sands resort.

With more than 1,000 exhibitors from 48 countries and regions, 16 international group pavilions and 18,000 attendees expected to take part this year, OSEA will see the launch of a specialised segment at the exhibition – Gas Technology Asia – as well as new conference sessions covering the commercial aspects of increased demand and trade of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Asia.

“What we have seen over the past few years of depressed oil prices and tough business climate is a growing shift in Asia towards a focus on supplying for the LNG value chain. Aligned with the upturn in the demand for LNG, Gas Technology Asia will include suppliers for functions such as the transport, bunkering, treatment, and liquefaction and distribution of natural gas,” says Carol New, head of sales for maritime and offshore, UBM.

Brand-new sessions

According to GlobalData, 130 new crude and natural gas projects will start operations in Asia over the next eight years. By 2025, the projects will contribute around 518,000 barrels per day to global oil production and close to 11.5 billion cubic feet per day to global gas production overall.

As the event positions itself to support businesses in preparation for the oil industry upturn and bright gas market outlook, the OSEA2018 International Conference – aptly themed ‘From Survival to Growth in the New Era’ – has curated a programme that provides key strategies and business models to respond to market volatility, changing energy demands and industry disruption.

The keynote presented by Thom Payne, director of Westwood Global Energy Group, titled ‘The Future of Global Oil and Gas Supply and Demand Dynamics’, will delve into geopolitics and crude price movement, future exploration and production spending trends, strategic moves to survive market volatility, as well as the future energy landscape.

New sessions focusing on LNG include ‘Thought Leaders’ Panel: LNG Market in Perspective – An Asia Outlook’; ‘How US Global LNGExports Will Impact the AsianMarket: New Structural and Financial Considerations’; ‘LNG Shipping Options’; ‘FSRU & FLNG Latest Development in the Region’; and ‘Small Scale LNG and Bunkering in Asia: Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects’.

As the oil and gas industry evolves through digital transformation, the conference will also feature sessions addressing issues surrounding the digitalisation of the supply chain. These include ‘From Electrification to Digitalisation’ and ‘Are We Doing Enough in Cyber Safety in O&G?’.

On the show floor

At the exhibition, the showcase will consist of the very latest solutions and services that support Asia’s oil and gas value chain. The third edition of OGmTech 2018 will also be held alongside OSEA. This serves as a strategic platform for international manufacturing technology and solution providers to connect with leading oil and gas equipment manufacturers and operators from Asia, as well as those from further afield.

First-time exhibitor at OSEA2018 Uniclimb Services, a Singapore-based company that specialises in rope access work for rig building, non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection, servicing and maintenance for the marine offshore, oil and gas and structural maintenance industries, will showcase the RIEZLER robotic camera crawler system, which is designed for application in pipe and tunnel inspections. “Market sentiments have improved, and we feel it is a good time to increase our market presence in the region,” says Adrian Yeong, managing director of Uniclimb Services. “We are looking forward to OSEA2018 to help connect us with major drilling contractors.”

Also looking to capitalise on the upturn, long-time exhibitor and gasket, sealing and valve specialist Khong Lieng is returning with a much heightened presence. “The focus seems to be on onshore now. In fact, we’ve just secured a three-year contract with one of only two oil refineries in Vietnam, despite fierce competition from major contenders. As a licensed manufacturer of several major brands, we are able to combine their best qualities for the products under our own house brand,” says Edward Quek, group chief operating officer of Khong Lieng.

“We decided to get a bigger booth at OSEA2018 as we are contemporarily distributing more brands. These include large global brands, such as Klinger, Garlock, Valqua, Jeil E&S, JDV, Zuercher Technik, Greene Tweed and Seal Maker. We are excited to showcase our own new products as well, such as expansion joints and butterfly valves. OSEA is a great opportunity for us to build brand awareness, since we are well equipped as a gasket, sealing and valve specialist,” he concludes.

By the numbers

• The event boasts a packed conference and exhibition schedule over three days.
• Over 120 conference speakers and delegates will be on hand to lecture and mingle.
• More than 1,000 companies will be exhibiting from 48 countries or regions.
• 16 international groups and pavilions will be in attendance to debut products and services.
• The event will provide ample opportunity to network with trade attendees from over 60 countries and regions.
• Over 30 complimentary OSEA Tech Garage seminars will be available to attend.