Offshore wind conference set for Houston
PennWell Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the Offshore Wind Executive Summit, the first conference dedicated to bringing the existing U.S. offshore oil and gas industry together with the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind industry.
The Offshore Wind Executive Summit will take place in Houston, Texas, on August 9-10 at the Norris Center in CityCentre.
Michael A. Celata, Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico Region, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will give the Welcome and Opening Address on August 9.
Randall Luthi, President, National Ocean Industries Association, will give the Opening Address on August 10.
“The emerging U.S. offshore wind industry has already presented real world opportunities for the well-established U.S. offshore oil and gas industry,” said Luthi.
“I am proud that NOIA member companies helped build and install America’s first offshore wind farm, proving that the two industries can support, rather than compete with each other. We look forward to new opportunities and continued collaboration as more offshore wind projects move through development, increasing the diversity of America’s offshore energy portfolio, a common-sense energy approach that NOIA has long supported,” he concluded.
A press briefing will immediately follow Mr. Luthi’s remarks on August 10.
A keynote fireside chat on August 9 will feature Roy Francis, Gulf Island Fabrication; Jennifer Daniels, Tetra Tech; Markus Rieck, Offshore Wind GE Renewable Energy; and Joseph Orgeron, Montco — all participants in building the Block Island Wind Farm. The fireside chat will be moderated by Jennifer Runyon, Chief Editor, Renewable Energy World.
Last December, Deepwater Wind began operation of the 30-MW Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island waters, making it the first commercial offshore wind farm in the U.S. Electricity generated by the Block Island project is serving National Grid’s New England service territory.
The eight conference education sessions will focus on the business opportunities for offshore oil and gas companies interested in working in the offshore wind industry: Logistics, Infrastructure and Project Development; Foundations and Cables; Risk Management; Engineering Design; Lessons Learned from Europe; and Operations and Maintenance.
In addition to the educational sessions, conference attendees will be able to network during the multiple coffee and water breaks, breakfasts, lunches and a networking party.
“Offshore wind presents a unique opportunity for additional U.S. ocean energy development,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association. “Scaling up will create well-paying American jobs, new business opportunities for offshore oil and gas companies, and drive private investment to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure.”