In early May 2025, thousands of energy professionals gathered at NRG Park in Houston for the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) under the banner “Waves of Innovation – Energy in Excellence.”
Coming from a background in electricity, water, and automation, I was deeply inspired by the cutting-edge technologies on display and the global vision for a smarter, more connected energy future.
Walking the exhibit floor, I saw Banco’s remotely operated subsea robotics in action and Veolia’s real-time water-quality sensors streaming live data. At several booths I met teams from Datacor, Tirexpe, and Richardson Oil & Gas, each demonstrating how scalable systems and automated data analysis can drive safer, more efficient operations. The Spotlight on New Technology® Awards highlighted smart subsea sensors and AI-powered inspection drones that are already reducing downtime and protecting offshore workers.
Beyond the demos, the Emerging Leaders reception brought together bright young professionals who shared fresh ideas on decarbonization and safety culture. Their energy convinced me that the next wave of change in our sector will be led by those who embrace both profit and planet. Even the informal sessions at the Wave Sports Zone—swapping insights over a baseball simulator and coffee - sparked potential collaborations that I look forward to developing.
Special thanks to OTC for organizing such a forward-looking event. OTC reminded me how automation, data, and scalable systems are transforming every corner of the energy sector - and how these technologies will have impact far beyond offshore applications. I return home energized, ready to apply these lessons and help shape a safer, cleaner, and more efficient energy future.
Steven OBAME
