Schlumberger withdraws from major oil conference amid rising COVID-19 cases (updated)

McDermott International

13/08/2021 04:24

(Adds details, background; amends media packaging information)
    By Liz Hampton
    HOUSTON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Top oilfield services firm
Schlumberger NV  SLB.N  on Thursday said it had withdrawn staff
from next week's Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which
typically attracts at least 60,000 attendees to Houston, citing
the area's rise in COVID-19 cases.
    The annual exhibition and technical exchange for offshore
energy equipment and service companies historically ranks among
the 10 largest trade shows by attendance, attracting exhibitors
and energy professionals from around the world. 
    Last year's conference was canceled due to the pandemic and
this year's event was pushed back from its usual spring schedule
because of COVID-19. It will include in-person and broadcast
programs.   
    "As the Houston area hospitalization rates increase rapidly,
Schlumberger has taken the decision to withdraw from the
Offshore Technology Conference," spokeswoman Moira Duff said.
The company is developing virtual presentations for the event,
she added.   
    Houston has been hit by a surge in the Delta variant, with
some 3,422 people testing positive on Wednesday, from just 398
new cases a month ago. Harris County, which includes Houston,
last week raised its alert level to its highest and asked
unvaccinated residents to stay home. 
    The city's hospital complex, Texas Medical Center, this week
said its Phase 1 intensive care units were full and a
combination of Phase 1 and 2 two beds, which include additional
ICU capacity, were 85% full as of Wednesday.
    An OTC spokeswoman did not have an immediate response to
Schlumberger's withdrawal. The program this year includes
extensive safety measures in the conference hall and was
designed to allow for in-person or online attendance, she said. 
    Other companies, including engineering and construction firm
McDermott International  MCDIF.PK , have reduced staffing and
lowered their expectations for attendance. While the trade show
drew 59,200 people two years ago, the number is likely to be
down significantly this year.
    "We will have minimal personnel on-site," said Gentry Brann,
senior vice president at exhibitor McDermott International Ltd.
The firm continues to evaluate conditions and is "prepared to
take further precautions to ensure the well-being of our
people." 

 (Additional reporting by Gary McWilliams in Houston; Editing by
Christopher Cushing and Karishma Singh)
 ((Liz.Hampton@thomsonreuters.com; +1 832 571 81115; Reuters
Messaging: Reuters Messaging: liz.hampton.reuters@reuters.net))