Chairmen named for SPE Offshore Europe 2015

The Offshore Europe Partnership has announced the appointment of two co-chairmen for SPE Offshore Europe 2015, one of whom will lead the keynote programme with the other leading the technical programme.

Michael Engell-Jensen, Executive Director of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) is appointed Keynote Chairman, and Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive Officer, Expro is the Technical Chairman. As the SPE Offshore Europe conference continues to grow significantly in scale, the co-chairmen will focus on the planning, development and execution of their respective programmes.

SPE Offshore Europe is the largest upstream oil and gas event outside North America, and is held every two years in Europe’s energy capital of Aberdeen. Over the past 40 years this event has built up a proud heritage and unrivalled platform for the industry to meet, discuss and debate the latest issues within Europe and beyond. In 2013 the event attracted over 1500 international exhibitors and visitors from more than 100 countries. SPE Offshore Europe 2015 will take place from Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 September, addressing the chosen theme of ‘How to Inspire the Next Generation’.

As Technical Chairman, Charles Woodburn commented: “Whilst we continue to push the boundaries of technology and innovation, we must find better ways to attract and encourage the next generation of talent into our industry.

“For the first time we are inviting technical papers based on both people and technical challenges, to address both aspects in parallel. By embedding this approach within the fabric of Offshore Europe 2015, we will deliver a conference that ensures continued progress within our industry.”

Michael Engell-Jensen continued: “For many decades to come, oil and gas will remain indispensable to the world for securing heat, light, mobility and prosperity. As a responsible industry, we must address society’s concerns about our operations and the hydrocarbons on which the world relies.

“The keynote programme will focus on the basic challenge of meeting energy demand while balancing concerns over climate change, security of supply and consumer affordability. This challenge incorporates related issues: the well-being of our people and neighbouring communities, environmental risks and the safety and security of upstream assets. These imperatives are fundamental in framing the oil and gas industry for the foreseeable future.”

Michael Engell-Jensen has more than 30 years’ experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. In his current role at OGP, he leads an organisation which works to promote safe, responsible and sustainable exploration and production operations. Previous positions include Managing Director of Maersk Oil in respectively the UK and Qatar, corporate Senior Vice President Business Development for Maersk Oil and Corporate SVP Carbon and Climate. His education includes a PhD in applied nuclear physics from the Technical University of Denmark.

Charles Woodburn has been Expro’s Chief Executive Officer since September 2010, following 15 years with Schlumberger where he held several senior management roles, including President of Wireline and Vice President of Engineering, Manufacturing and Sustaining. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Cambridge University.

Details on the free-to-attend conference, and its plenary, keynote and technical programme sessions, will be revealed later this year.