Putting the Europe back in Offshore Europe for 2025

By David Whitehouse, SPE Offshore Europe 2025 Executive Committee Chair
and Chief Executive, Offshore Energies UK

March 2025

As extraordinary as it sounds, it will soon be two years since tens of thousands of us congregated in Aberdeen for the premier show for offshore energy in Europe, which can only mean one thing – SPE Offshore Europe 2025 (OE25) is now firmly on the horizon. Building on what was the first in-person Offshore Europe since the Covid-19 pandemic, OE25 will return to the Granite City in September, bringing with it the challenge of ‘Unlocking Europe’s Potential in Offshore Energy’.

As we look ahead to September, it is the early months of 2025 that will shape the future of the nation’s offshore energy sector and the country’s economic and climate goals to come. Yet, our industry is part of an international community - which shares the challenge of finding ways to deliver cleaner energy in the future.

We are committed to ensuring that OE25 is seen as a success not only for industry, but for Aberdeen, Scotland and the UK. It is a jewel in the crown to have such a prestigious long standing European energy conference in this country and in this city. It is a reminder of the skills, talent and expertise of our 200,000 hard-working people and the world class offshore energy industry including operators, developers and our world-class supply chain.

Planning for OE25 is well underway, with expectations rapidly growing for what promises to be the largest and most significant European energy event of the year. With exceptional executive and technical programme committees guiding the agenda, the conference is set to be a platform for crucial discussions, innovation, and collaboration within the offshore energy sector.

The conference’s opening plenary is taking shape, as are twelve strategic panel sessions. Embracing a mix of traditional engagements and dynamic new formats, they promise an engaging and thought-provoking experience for attendees. This year, we’re also introducing a series of fireside chats, offering insightful and honest conversations with high-profile guests.

A key commitment for the executive committee is to ensure diverse and inclusive voices are heard at every session. In this vein we’re creating opportunities for young professionals to gain valuable experience as panellists, speakers or moderators throughout the event. Building connections with future talent is always a priority for OE, and this year we’ll be holding daily events for school pupils, university students, young professionals and new entrants.

Running alongside the strategic sessions is a robust technical programme drawn from 600 submitted abstracts. This marks the highest number of submissions since recent records began, and is indicative of the growing excitement and engagement within the industry to shape the future of offshore energy.

In the weeks that follow, the final programme of sessions will come into focus, showcasing the expertise that will be on show at OE25, reinforcing the conference’s position as the must-attend event in Europe this year.

Broadening the focus

A deliberate shift in theme this year is to place Europe right at the heart of Offshore Europe to emphasise the event’s international credentials and its relevance to sector professionals from across the continent. Offshore energy isn’t confined to the North Sea; it is a vital sector that touches all walks of life. We are working to ensure the opening plenary and panel sessions reflect this and feature diverse voices from across Europe to foster a truly collaborative approach. OE25 will serve as a forum for industry leaders from various nations to exchange knowledge and best practices, ensuring the sector utilises our shared resources and evolves in a way that benefits all stakeholders. 

Keynote speakers will provide insights into how different European countries are managing their energy transitions, offering valuable comparative perspectives, and how different governments are approaching the complex issue of energy security.

We want to move OE25 beyond standard industry rhetoric and into meaningful, action-driven debate. This is an opportunity for engaged discussions at a critical time for the global energy landscape and, in this vein, we want to welcome diverse viewpoints - including those who challenge the role of oil and gas in the energy transition. 

A conference of growth, not decline

We often hear that the UK offshore energy sector is one in decline. I couldn’t disagree more, and OE25 will seek to challenge this perception. Instead of retreating, the show is evolving into an all-encompassing energy event, reflecting the industry’s transformation. Offshore energy is not just about oil and gas - it includes emerging technologies like renewables including offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, and new business models that will define the future. Indeed, one of the most pressing themes of OE25 will be the transition from discussion to action.

While supply chain opportunities in the energy transition have been widely touted, we need more tangible delivery. The conference will explore how to move from rhetoric to real-world implementation, addressing crucial issues like supply chain development and the necessary investment in manufacturing capabilities.

A major focus will also be placed on carbon storage, a topic that has long been in discussion but one that now needs to make progress toward implementation. The conference will provide platforms for industry leaders to demonstrate how carbon storage can become commercially viable, ensuring that costs are driven down and solutions are scalable.

Reigniting optimism in offshore energy

It is an important time for the UK’s oil and gas industry. Decisions made in the coming months, in the run up to OE25, will not only shape the North Sea’s future but also profoundly impact jobs, communities, and companies across Europe. That presents us with a unique opportunity to use OE25 as a catalyst for change; to spotlight emerging opportunities, generate momentum for innovation and reframe the conversation surrounding our future energy.

We are an industry which will provide solutions to some of the biggest opportunities and challenges faced by the country while supporting economic growth and net zero by safely delivering secure supplies of homegrown oil, gas, wind and in the future hydrogen, alongside CCUS.

OE25 will serve as more than just a conference and exhibition; it will be a rallying point for industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to collaborate on solutions that will define our industry’s trajectory for years to come.

Ultimately, OE25 will be about reigniting confidence in the North Sea energy sector, primarily in the UK, but with an eye on the rest of Europe. By fostering international collaboration, encouraging open debate, and pushing for actionable solutions, we will reaffirm Aberdeen’s place at the heart of the energy industry and shine a light on our sector, its proud history, and its future.