To some, it may seem odd to hold a large gathering for those working in the oil and gas industry during a time when low prices are negatively impacting all involved. The numbers of layoffs and company shutdowns grow by the day.
But The Shreveport Times reports that organizers of the Ark-La-Tex Oilfield Expo and its attendees believe now is the best time to connect with customers, prospects, get a glimpse of new technology and learn about more tools for the trade.
“It’s nice to see the family atmosphere of people involved in the oil and gas industry. We’re all struggling the same with the downturn, but it’s good to see people hyped up with new ideas,” says Robert Leonard, capital sales account manager with Brandt Solids Control Equipment.
Leonard was joined by others in expressing optimism in whether oil and gas plays such as the Haynesville Shale will return—likely not with the vengeance witnessed in the heyday, but enough to spur the economy again.
“It will come back,” Terry Hobock, of Blanchard, says of the shale activity.
The expo, open all day Wednesday and through noon today, is expected to draw hundreds. More than 360 vendors were spread across 95,000 square feet of space in the Shreveport Convention Center.
The expo is set up for exhibitors to compete for business. From tools to pumps to trailers to seismic equipment, the offerings are meant to help those working in the oil and gas field identify potential cost-savings ideas.
Charles Cline, Welltech Upstream Equipment manager, is not ready to call the oil and gas industry “depressed.” The ups and downs of late, he says, “we’ve been through before. The attitude is to use it to our advantage to get our name out there. We don’t look at the sales figures but growing a customer base.”
