The 2004 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) marks 35 years as the offshore industry's largest annual gathering.

The conference takes place between 3rd - 6th May 2004 at Reliant Center at Reliant Park in Houston, USA.
OTC debuted in May 1969 at the Albert Thomas Convention Center in Houston, gathering 4200 attendees and 200 exhibiting companies. Since then the conference has reflected the pulse of the offshore industry, exceeding attendance of 108 000 participants in 1982, and then stabilising in the 1990s. In 2003, OTC drew an 18-year high attendance of 50 655 participants.
OTC is recognised among Tradeshow Week's 'Top 200' tradeshows in the world, and was ranked number 46 in 2002 based on exhibition size and attendance.
"For 35 years, OTC has been the world's foremost event for the advancement of the offshore industry," said Rod Allan, OTC 2004 General Chair and Technical Director of EurAfrica Business Unit for Transocean. "Every year in Houston, OTC brings together the professionals and the technology that are needed to discover new ways to reach the oil and gas resources deep below the ocean's surface. OTC serves as a unique forum for the offshore industry - providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas, technology, and innovation."
"To celebrate 35 years, OTC will introduce several new programmes to participants," said Bill Luyties, 2004 OTC Vice-Chairman and Project Manager for the Na Kika Project for Shell International E&P. "This year OTC offers an expanded programme on Thursday with several topical luncheons, OTC tours of area attractions, OTC career fair, and the `Spotlight on New Technology programme. I am especially excited by the Spotlight on New Technology programme, which will give added emphasis to those technologies which have the potential to transform this industry. OTC is also debuting OTC Papers Online, an online library with papers from every OTC since 1969 available for purchase or download. We're excited to celebrate this great event's history, along with the continuing growth of the event and the evolution of the offshore industry."

Circle 21A or at www.engineerlive.com/iog

The Society of Petroleum Engineersis based in Richardson, Texas, USA. www.spe.org.For more information about the35th annual Offshore Technology Conference, including registration and the full technical program, visit www.OTCnet.org/2004.