Speaking to Graphic Online on arrival from the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), the SMEs said they were provided networking opportunities, which enabled them to interact with companies in their service areas.

These, they said involved over 60,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries.

They said prior to the departure, Ghanaian SMEs were provided the list of companies to select areas of interest, as well as industry professionals to exchange ideas with as part of discussions on possible joint ventures.

Ms Loveland Yayra White, of Capetano Oil, which is into technical services said “we were provided with the list of people participating as well as people with scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters, therefore we met them prepared.”

She said the previous conferences organised by the Petroleum Commission served as a learning curve for them, therefore the preparation for this year’s OTC was different.

Others were of the opinion that after a decade of oil, there is the need to do things differently.

The Head of department, Mr Kwesi Agyeman Senya expressed the commission’s readiness to provide the needed guidance and the participants are set for the task ahead self-sufficiently.