The 2020 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) has been canceled by the organization’s board of directors due to the continued health and travel concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

OTC, which is annually held in Houston in early May, had previously been postponed for later in the year, tentatively August or September. The announcement on April 2 comes after other major energy conferences, including Houston’s CERAWeek by IHS Markit, were canceled last month.

Commenting on the decision to cancel this year’s event, Cindy Yeilding, OTC Chairperson, said: “As we navigate these difficult and uncertain times, it is with a heavy heart that the OTC board of directors has determined that it is in our best interest to cancel OTC 2020. Our priority is the health and safety of our attendees and exhibitors, and we have taken federal, state and local guidelines into account in making our decision.”

Focused on the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters, OTC brings together industry leaders, investors, buyers and entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries. The event drew about 60,000 people to Houston last year.

Plans will commence for next year’s event, which is scheduled for May 3-6, 2021, according to the organization’s press release. The call for papers will open on May 28.

“As we face this uncharted territory, we remain confident of OTC’s critical role in the offshore industry’s future and eagerly anticipate a robust OTC 2021,” Yeilding added in her statement.

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