SPE/IADC Drilling Conference 2027, Stavanger, Norway
Dates
9–11 Mar 2027
City / country
Stavanger, Norway
Venue
Stavanger Forum
Event overview
The SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference and Exhibition 2027 runs 9–11 March 2027 at Stavanger Forum in Stavanger, Norway. The 44th edition is Europe's leading drilling event, pairing peer-selected technical papers with a major exhibition of drilling and well-construction technology.
It brings operators, contractors, service companies and technology providers together under the theme 'Advancing Wells. Securing Energy.'
TL;DR
Attend to hear peer-selected technical papers on well construction, drilling performance and automation, and to meet the operators, contractors and service companies shaping North Sea drilling. The concurrent exhibition lets visitors compare equipment and digital tools in one place, while plenary and panel sessions give a practical read on cost, safety and emissions priorities for 2027 and beyond.
Exhibit to put drilling technology, downhole tools and well services in front of the engineers and operations managers who specify them. The event's operator and contractor attendance, technical programme and compact exhibition floor create focused conversations rather than broad consumer traffic. Stavanger's position as Europe's drilling capital makes it a efficient base for reaching North Sea and international project teams.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
2Stavanger Forum, Gunnar Warebergs Gate 13, 4021 Stavanger, Norway
Entrances & gates
Forum main entrance
Main reception and registration on Gunnar Warebergs Gate.
Forum Expo entrance
Exhibition hall entrance from Ishockeyveien.
P-Forum and P-Siddis serve the venue; P-Siddis has accessible bays.
649 spaces ·
Most facilities are wheelchair accessible; lifts and accessible toilets are available.
EV charging is available in P-Forum and at 10 points in P-Siddis.
Food options
Venue cafés and exhibition catering
On-site diningParking: Two on-site car parks, P-Forum (289 spaces, EV charging) and P-Siddis (360 spaces, 10 EV points, 18 accessible bays), are operated by Stavanger Parkering. Parking is limited during large events, so use the Flybussen or city bus where possible.
Gate: Use the main Forum entrance on Gunnar Warebergs Gate; Forum Expo has its own entrance on Ishockeyveien. Allow time for badge collection at the registration desk.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring your registration confirmation and photo ID; badge printing is at the registration desk.
Ticket notes
Registration is required. The official site shows registration opening soon, and 2027 delegate pricing was not published at the time of this listing.
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 900
Exhibitors: 59
Edition #: 42
This edition
2027
Visitors: 950
Exhibitors: 65
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
The 2027 edition gives the North Sea drilling community a focused three-day meeting point while project teams rework well plans around cost, uptime and emissions. Because the exhibition is compact and the conference programme is technical, a stand or a delegate pass produces concentrated conversations with people who specify or approve drilling technology.
Audience quality
The audience is senior and technical: operators, drilling contractors, service companies, academics and technology providers. Attendance of just over 900 delegates at the 2025 edition means exhibitors see a manageable flow of qualified engineers and managers rather than a mass consumer crowd. Buyers typically influence well design, equipment standards or service contracts.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on pre-booked meetings. With roughly 59 exhibitors and 900 delegates in 2025, the ratio favours exhibitors who target specific operator and contractor teams rather than relying on walk-by traffic. Companies with a North Sea reference project, a clear well-construction use case and a follow-up plan can expect useful pipeline conversations; no audited ROI figure is published.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Stavanger is the European hub for offshore drilling, and this is the region's flagship technical meeting for well construction. The 2027 edition puts operators, contractors and service companies in one hall as the North Sea balances production growth, cost discipline and emissions reduction. Exhibitors reach decision-makers specifying drilling equipment, digital systems and well services for projects across Europe and beyond.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Automation and AI move into well construction
Drilling teams are adopting automated rig controls, real-time data models and AI-assisted decision support to cut invisible lost time and improve consistency between wells.
What it changes: Exhibitors showing interoperable hardware, sensors and analytics can speak directly to operators under pressure to drill faster with fewer people.
Emissions and energy efficiency become design criteria
North Sea operators are tying drilling plans to emissions budgets, electrification, fuel substitution and waste reduction, not just cost per metre.
What it changes: Technology that lowers fuel use, flaring or waste has a clearer commercial case, and the conference theme explicitly links well delivery with securing energy.
Standardisation and repeatable well delivery
Operators and contractors are pushing shared standards, repeatable designs and lessons-learned processes to reduce variation across wells and projects.
What it changes: Suppliers with field-proven, standardisable products can position themselves as partners for multi-well programmes rather than one-off purchases.
The Stavanger conference anchors a global drilling circuit. Teams often pair it with the SPE/ICoTA well-intervention event later in March and the Middle East drilling technology edition in Abu Dhabi in May.
SPE/ICoTA Well Intervention Conference and Exhibition 2027
The Woodlands, United States
Dates taken from the published 2027 SPE event listing; confirm final programme.
websiteSPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition 2027
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Expected May 2027 on the biennial cycle; exact dates to be confirmed by the organiser.
websiteMarch 2027
Two European and US well-focused events two weeks apart; choose one or plan both with a travel buffer.
May 2027
Middle East sister event; dates expected in May and should be confirmed before booking.
Q2 2027
Check the IADC annual lineup for onshore and regional drilling events that complement Stavanger.
Circuit dates are editorial estimates except where a published 2027 event listing was seen; confirm before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest airport; direct connections to around 35 international airports.
about 14 km
to venue
15 minutes
by car
Haugesund Airport, Karmoy
Secondary option; transfer by car or bus via Haugesund.
about 110 km
to venue
about 2 hours
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–165 / night
Simple rooms; budget options book out early around offshore events.
USD 190–265 / night
Both hotels are within walking distance of Stavanger Forum and the exhibition hall.
sourceUSD 300–430 / night
Full-service hotels close to restaurants and the airport bus.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Airport bus
Runs to the Forum; about 20–30 minutes depending on stops.
City bus
Journey takes about six minutes from the city centre.
Taxi
Use the official taxi rank; journey from the airport is about 15 minutes.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay business visa | Visitors whose nationality requires a Schengen visa | $100.00 | typically 15 working days |
Many European, North American and several Asian nationalities can enter Norway visa-free for short business visits; check the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration before booking.
Norway accepts ATA carnets for temporary exhibition goods; confirm the goods list and customs formalities with the freight forwarder.
Official visa pageWeather
March is late winter in Stavanger: expect 0–6°C, rain or sleet, and strong coastal wind. Daylight returns quickly but conditions change fast, so pack a waterproof outer layer and shoes with grip.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile coverage is strong across Stavanger; EU/EEA roaming rules apply for many European visitors. Wi-Fi is normally available at the venue and hotels, but buy a local eSIM if you need reliable data on the exhibition floor.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Punctuality and flat hierarchies
Meetings start on time and Norwegian business culture is informal; use first names and keep introductions brief.
Card-first and expensive alcohol
Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Alcohol is heavily taxed and restricted in shops, so plan evening hospitality around restaurant bookings.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: Stavanger Airport, Sola (SVG)
Book 6–10 weeks ahead; Stavanger fares rise around offshore conferences and the March school holidays. Use SVG rather than Oslo, which adds a five-hour overland transfer.
Book flightsVisa-free entry applies to many nationalities; others need a Schengen short-stay visa before travel.
Estimated cost: USD 100
Processing: about 15 working days
Registration confirmation may include an invitation letter for visa purposes; SPE cannot issue the visa itself.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Flybussen airport bus to the Forum, about NOK 160 and 20–30 minutes; taxi about 15 minutes and NOK 450–600.
Hotel → venue: Most Forum-area hotels are a 5–10 minute walk; city-centre hotels are about six minutes by Kolumbus bus.
Ride-hail: Use the taxi rank at the airport or book through a local taxi app; ride-hailing is limited compared with larger European cities.
Public transit: Kolumbus routes 2, 3, 6, 7, 10 and 16 connect the city centre with the Forum every ten minutes or so.
Parking: P-Forum has 289 spaces and P-Siddis 360, including EV and accessible bays; parking is limited during large events.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March
Temperature: 0–6°C
Seasonality: Wet and windy; rain or sleet is common and coastal gusts are strong.
Packing: Waterproof jacket, warm layers, comfortable waterproof shoes and an umbrella.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (Wednesday 10 March 2027)
Day two typically combines a full technical programme with a settled exhibition rhythm, so visitors can attend papers in the morning and hold supplier meetings in the afternoon without the opening-day rush.
Confirm registration and download the conference app or programme — Check whether your pass covers the exhibition only or all technical sessions.
Book flights to Stavanger Airport, Sola and a Forum-area hotel — March fares and rooms tighten; the Flybussen stops at the Forum.
Build a shortlist of exhibitors and technical sessions — Prioritise three to five suppliers and two paper sessions per day.
Check the weather, pack waterproofs and print or save your registration — Expect 0–6°C, rain and wind; bring a photo ID for badge collection.
Plan the route from the hotel and confirm meeting times — Allow 20 minutes for registration and bag checks at the Forum entrance.
Badge collection and coffee in the exhibition hall
Stavanger Forum main entranceOpening plenary and keynote
Mastrafjorden auditoriumTechnical session on well construction performance
Forum Conference CentreSupplier meetings on the exhibition floor
Forum ExpoNetworking reception
Exhibition hallPreikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Hike / Fjord Viewpoint
About 1 hour from Stavanger plus a 2–3 hour hike
Iconic Lysefjord viewpoint; only suitable in settled weather and with proper hiking gear.
Gamle Stavanger and the harbour
City Walk
20–30 minutes from the Forum by bus
Wooden houses, museums and waterfront restaurants for a short evening break.
Forum Expo exhibition floor
Exhibition networking
Coffee and lunch breaks are served in the hall, making it the main meeting point.
Thon Hotel Stavanger Forum lobby bar
Hotel bar
Convenient for informal meetings within walking distance of the venue.
Stavanger conversations often continue after the show with engineering and procurement teams. A fast, specific follow-up that references the well or project discussed is more useful than a generic brochure email.
Budget
Shell scheme
NOK 5200–7200 / m²
Raw space
NOK 3200–4200 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Bands are editorial estimates for a Stavanger exhibition; final rates depend on location, corner premium and stand build. The organiser had not published a 2027 tariff on the fetched pages.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Hotel
both · mid
USD 190–265 / per night
Per diem
both · standard
USD 75–110 / per day
Airport transfer
both · standard
USD 15–55 / one way
Booth build
exhibitor · shell scheme
USD 55–90 / per sqm
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | both | mid | USD 190–265 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Per diem | both | standard | USD 75–110 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Airport transfer | both | standard | USD 15–55 / one way | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Booth build | exhibitor | shell scheme | USD 55–90 / per sqm | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Five questions will show whether to visit, exhibit or skip SPE/IADC 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary reason for attending?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You want technical papers and targeted supplier meetings without committing to a stand.
Best for
Drilling engineers, wells managers and technical buyers
Min. budget
$1,500.00
Timeline
6–10 weeks
Risks
Limited hotel availability
Programme clashes with meetings
exhibit
You have a North Sea or international product story and can pre-book operator meetings.
Best for
Equipment, software and well-services companies
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
3–4 months
Risks
High stand and travel costs
Small exhibitor pool means fewer walk-bys
skip
Your product does not serve drilling, well construction or offshore energy buyers this year.
Best for
Consumer audiences, generalist suppliers and teams with no drilling focus
Timeline
None
Risks
Missing competitor intelligence
Missing relationship-building
Book with
Stavanger Forum
Conference centre and Forum Expo exhibition hall hosting the 2027 event.
Venue name and address confirmed; not named as a commercial partner.
Avinor
Operator of Stavanger Airport, Sola, the main arrival point for delegates.
Public airport operator; useful travel resource, not an official event sponsor.
Norwegian Offshore Directorate
Public authority for the Norwegian petroleum sector and a relevant context source for North Sea drilling.
Public body; not an official event partner.
Stavanger Chamber of Commerce
Regional business network supporting Stavanger’s energy and offshore cluster.
Regional business body; useful local resource, not a confirmed event partner.
Recommended providers
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
Official Schengen visa guidance for Norway.
Thon Hotel Stavanger Forum is next to the venue.
Direct and connecting flights to Stavanger Airport, Sola.
Global forwarder with exhibition and customs services.
Norwegian insurer; compare travel and exhibition liability cover.
Official tourism resources for Lysefjord and Stavanger.
Exhibitor CRM / badge scanner
No official 2027 provider was published; use your own compliant scanner.
Gallery
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
2
Publishers
3
Date checked
SPE/IADC
FIG Working Week 2027
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