OTC 2026: Heard on the show floor

Compiled by Ariana Hurtado, Editor-in-Chief

From geopolitics and regional collaboration to digitalization, subsurface risk and execution reality, conversations at OTC 2026 reflected an offshore sector in active transition.

Exhibitors, operators, service providers and first‑time attendees pointed to a common theme: the need to balance near‑term operational certainty with longer‑term shifts in technology, energy strategy and regional influence.

In this compilation of feedback and insights, Offshore captures what industry voices were saying this week about where offshore energy is headed, what challenges remain unresolved and what opportunities are coming into sharper focus.

"OTC 2026 is showing a clear shift in the global energy landscape, with the Caribbean emerging as a more visible and collaborative force. The presence of the Trinidad and Tobago Pavilion alongside the Guyana Pavilion reflects a region positioning itself as a serious energy province, with strengths across production, fabrication, logistics, exploration and offshore support services. What stands out is the united front being built among Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago as the region expands its role in serving the global energy sector."

—Sarona Samaroo, Vice President, El Dorado Offshore

“Operators are looking to update incrementally—protecting the value of existing infrastructure while introducing capabilities such as analytics, thermal monitoring and remote monitoring capabilities in a phased, controlled way. The goal is proactive awareness: using integrated systems to identify risk earlier and support faster, more informed decisions, even with reduced headcounts.”

—Darren Alder, Head of Energy,Synectics

Check out Offshore's exclusive interview with Alder at "OTC 2026: Offshore operators look to close surveillance blind spots as assets age and crews shrink."

"The condition of the well is often a key blind spot, particularly when wells have been shut in for some time. A shut-in well behaves very differently from a producing well; fluid levels, temperatures, pressures and chemical conditions all change when a well is shut in over time. These changes, combined with the duration of inactivity, can lead to unforeseen issues, such as corrosion or scale buildup. In many cases, decisions go wrong when operators rely too heavily on historical assumptions rather than reassessing the well’s current condition."

 —Guillaume Borrel, CEO, GOWell Energies

Check out Offshore's exclusive interview with Borrel at "OTC 2026: When does an idle well become too risky to restart?"

"OTC continues to reinforce its role as the central meeting point for decision-makers shaping the future of offshore energy across the Gulf of America, the Caribbean and South America. A key theme emerging this year is the need for balance, between sustaining oil and gas production and advancing lower-carbon solutions. Leaders, including H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, emphasized that energy security, access to capital and climate responsibility must evolve together. The Caribbean basin, particularly Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname, is uniquely positioned to contribute, offering both resource potential and natural advantages for carbon management within an increasingly complex global energy landscape."

—Dale Lutchman, VP Sales & Marketing, Ramps Logistics

"Day one at OTC 2026 has reinforced how quickly the offshore energy sector is evolving, particularly with the growing role of AI in oilfield operations. The conversations on the show floor have opened new perspectives on how technology, efficiency and field execution are becoming more closely connected. For regional service companies, OTC continues to be a valuable space to engage with industry stakeholders, understand emerging solutions and identify where innovation can support the next phase of offshore energy development."

 —Anthony Ramdani, Sales and Materials Manager, Dumore Enterprises

"Attending OTC for the first time highlights just how critical connection and visibility are within the offshore energy sector. The ability to engage directly with clients, suppliers and industry peers reinforces the importance of collaboration in a market that is becoming increasingly global and competitive. Discussions, including those led by [Guyana] President Irfaan Ali, underscored the need for deeper understanding of evolving energy demands and regional opportunities. For Caribbean-based companies, it is a reminder that even small island players have a meaningful role to play in a rapidly expanding and interconnected energy landscape."

—Shaleeza Dookie, Contracts Officer, Inland and Offshore Contractors Ltd.

“At OTC, there’s been a clear focus on how offshore oil and gas projects can be delivered safely, efficiently and with certainty. In fact, much of that success can be determined long before installation begins. For operators and their partners, having a clear and reliable understanding of subsurface conditions is critical to making the right engineering decisions and managing risk in complex offshore environments. That requires more than isolated datasets; it depends on integrated site investigations, combining offshore testing, sampling and advanced geotechnical analysis to build a complete picture of the seabed. When that data is supported by strong engineering expertise and interpretation, it enables more efficient design, reduces uncertainty and helps ensure safe and reliable asset performance throughout the project lifecycle.”

—Rune Olav Pedersen, CEO, Geoquip Marine

“As offshore energy systems become more electrified and digitally integrated, HazLoc [hazardous location] compliance is increasingly about engineering integrity across the full operating envelope, from design and installation through operations, modification and long-term maintenance."

— Prathamesh Panchal, Director of Business Development, Safety Department, SGS

Check out Offshore's exclusive interview with Panchal at "OTC 2026: HazLoc requirements evolve as electrification and batteries move offshore."

“The primary challenge remains imaging below complex overburden. In deepwater frontier plays like the Orange Basin (offshore Namibia) or the Atlantic Margin, seismic signal attenuation from thick salt or basalt layers creates high uncertainty in reservoir geometry.”

—Dr. Susan Nash, Director of Innovation and Emerging Science & Technology, AAPG

Check out Offshore's exclusive interview with Nash at "OTC 2026: Offshore geoscience shifts toward integrated modeling, AI and subsurface stewardship."