OREANDA-NEWS. May 23, 2012. The theme for this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) was “Navigating Seas of Change” with the industry moving forward with a renewed focus on safety, technology and sustainability to meet the world’s growing demand for energy.

Although there is some regulatory uncertainty and changes taking place with deep-water drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, there is no uncertainty surrounding the commitment and investment Saudi Aramco is making as it transforms into a global energy and chemicals enterprise. With more than  billions of dollars being invested in oil, gas and petrochemicals, the industry took note of the company’s vast expansion and the opportunities it brings.

This message came through clearly at the conference as Saudi Aramco, supported by its Houston-based affiliate Aramco Services Co. (ASC), made its presence known.. More than 89,400 individuals attended the event.

Corporate sponsorship of the Annual OTC Awards Dinner — with proceeds benefiting Engineers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization supporting community-driven development programs worldwide — made a strong statement about Saudi Aramco’s commitment to community and charitable causes. Participation on the Annual OTC Dinner Executive Advisory Board by Mohammed Y. Qathani, Saudi Aramco’s vice president of Petroleum Engineering and Development, illustrated the executives’ involvement and recognition in the world’s premiere oil and gas conference.

But perhaps the greatest recognition of Saudi Aramco’s strength came from the conference participants themselves — engineers, manufacturers, service providers, potential job candidates — who sought out company representatives to learn more about upstream research and development technologies, business plans and career opportunities.

Technology interests turned to business interest for hundreds of manufacturers and service providers interested in conducting business with Saudi Arabia.  ASC’s Mohammed Al-Belushi, manager of Procurement and Logistics, participated in a panel discussion sponsored by the U.S. Saudi Arabian Business Council to highlight opportunities in Saudi Arabia.  The panel discussion attracted nearly 200 attendees.

Job seekers looking for rewarding career opportunities and a better understanding of the expatriate lifestyle, spoke to ASC recruiting staff who were available throughout the conference to answer questions and identify qualified candidates.

By all accounts, OTC was an effective venue for highlighting Saudi Aramco’s transformational strategy and further solidifying its reputation as the world’s leading energy provider.