Europe’s biggest oil exhibition will return to Aberdeen for the 20th time this year, according to Aberdeenshire Council.

Offshore Europe 2013 will provide north-east businesses with the chance to gain international exposure to world energy markets.

The biennial event was launched in 1973 and now attracts thousands of delegates from as far afield as Brazil and Iraq.

It is the largest oil and gas technical meeting outside North America and gives exhibitors, delegates and visitors the opportunity to access a global audience.

The Aberdeen City and Shire pavilion will showcase the north-east at the four-day conference, September 3-6 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam, who will host a civic reception for 300 delegates, said: "Offshore Europe is our window on the world, and as the North Sea and the needs of the energy industry change, so must Aberdeen. We are at an interesting stage in the life of the UKCS and our city is looking at its own future within this new context."

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Provost of Aberdeenshire, Councillor Jill Webster, said: "Offshore Europe attracts thousands of visitors, and this facility will represent the City and Shire at the heart of it. The pavilion will be a hub of activity, with lots of events to promote the area and bring attention to the great work being done by businesses across the North-east.

"Along with our partners, we intend this space to be a showcase of local businesses

working hard to provide innovation in the energy sector, and attract vital investment into the area. This is a great opportunity to be part of the City and Shire’s efforts to increase economic activity in the sector."

More than 50,000 delegates representing more than 100 countries are expected to attend.

The two-floor Aberdeen City and Shire Pavilion has been designed to provide maximum space for local exposure.

Aberdeenshire Council’s chair of Infrastructure Services, Peter Argyle, said: "This is a great opportunity for local businesses based in the City and Shire to be part of the promotion of the area as a vibrant, modern economy, and the home of oil and gas expertise in Europe.

"We expect the pavilion to a busy hub of activity for the four-day conference, and the opportunity to be part of the City and Shire’s brand is very valuable."

(IT)