Update on Prelude FLNG to feature at AOG 2016 Conference

Major updates on the groundbreaking Prelude FLNG project will again be a keen topic of discussion when the Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (AOG) 2016 is staged in Perth next February.

AOG 2016 organisers have confirmed that two afternoon sessions offering a first-hand update on Prelude will provide some of the key content for the first day of the conference on Wednesday, 24 February.

Prelude is just one of a range of popular topics that will be returning for the 35th staging of AOG, with next year’s conference program also set to feature a number of new streams and a significantly updated format.

AOG Event Director Bill Hare said that industry feedback has played an important role in determining the content and scheduling for the AOG 2016 Conference.

“We received a lot of very good feedback from AOG 2015 attendees and have followed that up with some informative discussions with key industry decision-makers, and this has provided us with a great base to build what we believe will be a very innovative and informative conference program for 2016,” said Hare.

The 2016 AOG Conference has a theme of ‘collaboration’ and that is strongly reflected in the content over the two days, with a great deal of input provided through the event’s close relationships with a number of leading companies and industry and government organisations.

Collaboration is the keystone of Royal Dutch Shell’s involvement in AOG 2016, where it will be providing the latest information on Prelude and Australian involvement.

“Shell Australia looks forward to attending the oil and gas conference, AOG, in 2016. Supporting Australian businesses is at the heart of what we are trying to achieve at Shell and will be vital to support Prelude Operations,” said the GM of production for Shell Australia, David Bird.

Hare said that with the oil and gas sector going through a difficult period, events such as AOG provide a critical conduit for those wanting to hear the latest news on developments, such as Prelude.

“There is no doubt that the service and supply sector is going through tough times at the moment thanks to continuing low crude oil prices. However, we believe that well-credentialed events such as AOG — which features up-to-date and informative content — will provide significant benefit for those that attend,” he said.

“Subsea will again be a major part of the conference offering with this region receiving strong international investment for ongoing inspection, repair and maintenance programs along with a range of high-profile construction contracts.”

AOG is once again receiving strong content support from local and international subsea industry bodies such as the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), Subsea Energy Australia (SEA) and Subsea UK.

Industry partnerships and feedback have seen a number of new segments added to the AOG 2016 program, once again reflecting the ‘collaboration’ theme.

“We are very pleased to have organisations like RINA (Royal Institution of Naval Architects), Maritime Industry Australia (MIAL) and the Australian Corrosion Association form new partnerships to work with us on engaging and timely conference content,” Hare added.

“Once again industry feedback has indicated that areas such as workboats, offshore support and fixed and floating offshore structures are of significant interest and importance to the Australian oil and gas sector at a time when there is a clear graduation from a recordbreaking construction phase to a much greater importance being placed on the operational side.”

Other interesting topics that will be highlighted at AOG 2016 include flow assurance, pipeline safety, risk and integrity and corrosion control, while human capital will feature at a special breakfast event on Wednesday, 24 February.

Perhaps the biggest change to the AOG Conference program in 2016 relates to the scheduling. In previous years, conference attendance was available only on a full program or daily basis. In 2016, interested attendees will be able to purchase session passes.

“Once again, we have listened to what previous attendees and the industry has said,” said Hare.

“This is the ideal formula for those attendees who want to pick and choose the sessions they want to sit in on, and it also provides significant cost savings for those that aren’t able to attend all-day sessions.”

For more information on the AOG 2016 Conference, please go to: aogexpo.com.au.