Delegates from 30 Australian companies travelling to Houston in the US for the annual oil and gas Offshore Technology Conference will meet next week in Perth to officially launch the trade mission, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.
Senior executives with decision and budgeting authority from around the globe are expected to attend the conference, established in 1969 and the largest of its type. As many as 50,000 participants are anticipated.
Local delegates from major sponsors Apache Energy, Chevron, Texaco, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Woodside are expected to attend OTC.
AmCham general manager, Western Australia, Penelope Williamson said the likely delegation would include representatives from 30 Australian companies, with “many positive” expressions of interest from local firms.
“Over the years, many major deals have been sealed at OTC,” Ms Williamson said.
This is the eighth year AmCham has arranged such a delegation from Australia to attend.
Hundreds of technical papers and programs on major projects and applications of technology will be presented, Ms Williamson said.
In addition, a large exhibition centre dedicated to offshore products and services will be made available to companies attending.
Travelling via Honolulu, the delegation will attend a briefing by the commander of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, a private tour of the admiral’s vessel, shipping and defence meetings and a social function with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Honolulu, to grow business contacts in the Pacific.