Loren C. Steffy's Blog, page 47

Welcome to OTC City

It’s a bit of a cliche to say that the Offshore Technology Conference is like a small city. But with an estimated 641,000 square feet of exhibit space stretching from Reliant Center to Reliant Arena, it probably covers more land area than many towns. OK, maybe not, but it feels like it if you start [...]

OTC: A new way to test blowout preventers

Today, I’m trying to spend less time listening to talks and more time wandering the floor of the Offshore Technology Conference. My first stop was to see a demo of IPT Global’s SureTec program for testing blowout preventers. I mentioned IPT in my Sunday column, and I wanted to see the the technology first hand. [...]

OTC: When ethical introspection becomes preaching to the choir

The energy industry isn't good at introspection. When it takes a hard look at itself, it tends to find fault with others.

OTC: The wheeling and dealing of the Nomads Lounge

OTC is where the trade mission meets the trade show.

OTC: Talk of safety is everywhere, but will it translate into practice?

Translating safety from panel discussions to practice

OTC: Brazil regulator charts a different course on safety

Brazil's regulations are more stringent than those in the U.S., yet the country remains one of the hottest prospects for new drilling.

BP senior exec calls for cooperative industry response to safety

The Offshore Technology Conference runs through Thursday, but within the first hour we had what will probably be the understatement of the week. Bernard Looney, BP’s executive vice president for developments, called on the industry to adopt broader safety standards. “We are in absolutely no position to preach,” he said. After the obligatory mentions of [...]

What I’ll be watching for at the Offshore Technology Conference

Here's some of the things I'll be looking for at this years annual gala of oilfield geek chic.

What your work emails may say about the state of your company

Since its collapse a decade ago, Enron has been a case study for business schools, ethicists and even psychologists. Now, a Chicago startup is using the fallen energy trader to test software that tracks human emotions in the workplace. RelMap Software has developed mapping software that sifts through corporate communications and claims to be able [...]

The birth of a financial doomsday machine

Frontline this week aired the first two parts of its four-part series “Money, Power and Wall Street.” It’s a great primer of the financial crisis, tracing its origins from the first credit-default swap to full-blown global calamity. Part 1: Watch Money, Power and Wall Street: Part One on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE. Part 2: [...]