At 2019 OTC, Innovative Tech Meets The Challenge of New Discoveries

The 2019 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) didn’t lose a step as it took over Houston’s NRG Park on May 6-9 in celebration of their 50th anniversary, welcoming more than 2,000 companies from over 40 countries to showcase their new technology for offshore drilling, exploration, and environmental protection. Although the rise of interest in renewable and sustainable energy has shifted the focus of some of the global energy sector’s business models, the Golden Anniversary event saw 59,200 industry professionals assemble to discuss offshore tech’s trends and future.

Fluid power experts from Trelleborg to Parker Hannafin to Bosch-Rexroth AG seized the opportunity to share their recent developments against a backdrop of new offshore oil discoveries from Exxon Mobil, China National Offshore Oil Corp, and Repsol. With renewable energy on the forefront of many companies’ agendas, fluid power seems readily adept to serve the needs of the subsea industry for current and future projects.

From commodity seals to mobile applications to thermal insulations, Trelleborg’s hydraulics team is all about extending the life their equipment for their customers—an understandable goal given their reputation to meet the expectation for a 15, 20 and 25-year life expectancy on their products. “It’s not one-size-fits-all,” says Oil & Gas Americas Segment Manager Eric Bucci, which explains why Trelleborg consistently works to adapt to make sure their solution is perfect for the current challenges facing the offshore and onshore industry. With a number of launches on the horizon designed to address OEM and common market problems, Trelleborg’s focus on customization is key.

With the development of a weldless pipe system and assembly, along with the success of their HCR Collapse Resistant Hose and Water Submersible Cylinders, Parker Hannafin can feel reassured of their influence in fluid power, but Regional Sales Manager Mike Buczkowski doesn’t see Parker resting on its laurels. He recognizes a definitive push toward IIoT and more cloud-based compatible applications as mobile hydraulics grows to accommodate the industry’s needs. According to Buczkowski, wireless sensors are the key to unlocking the benefits of cloud connection, plant automation, and OEM for both onshore and offshore projects.

When Bosch-Rexroth’s Alexander Orth says, “We’re changing the world of hydraulics,” that is not playful hyperbole. And when the senior manager of subsea and marine business walks you through the detailed highlights of the company’s new Subsea Valve Actuator fitted with its four-chamber cylinder HPU, spindle drive, pressure compensators, and a multitude of safety control features, you can quickly understand why. The device had the honor of being a finalist in the OTC’s special Woelfel Best Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award. However, with the plug-and-play CytroBox power unit and the Hägglunds Gearless Drive System already disrupting the fluid power market, Bosch-Rexroth is determined to remain an industry leader.

Despite the changes in the energy resource landscape, the 2019 OTC confirms that it is still the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore ideas as thousands of engineers, technicians, scientists, and operators converged to share ideas, research and feedback with their offshore colleagues. The multi-day event recognizes innovation and acknowledges the leaders of the industry, assuring the investment of energy resources stays focused and technologically groundbreaking.

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