Oil and gas conference in US postponed over coronavirus pandemic

A largest oil and gas conference which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year from around the world, including India, has been postponed in Houston due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the organisers have announced.

The organisers of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), the largest Oil and gas conference in Houston, announced that the event has been postponed to the third quarter of 2020. The group is working to confirm new dates for the event in August or September, according to a statement the event organisers.

"By postponing rather than cancelling OTC, we aim to preserve the significant work of the programme committee and authors to prepare for this conference, as well as minimize the economic impact this decision will have on the businesses in Houston and throughout the industry," the statement added.

The conference, which drew about 60,000 attendees last year, was set to take place May 4 to 7 at NRG Center in Houston.

The OTC announcement cited the "rapidly changing guidance from governments and companies" as a reason for moving the event from May to later in the year.

"The Offshore Technology Conference recognises the unprecedented global challenge associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic," the announcement states.

"The health and safety of our partners, attendees, exhibitors, staff and community are of the utmost importance, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected."