A gas rig off Israel's coast. Photo: YouTube screenshot.

The largest oil and gas conference in the world, known as the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), was held in Texas last week – and 14 Israeli companies were present during the three-day event. Founded in 1969, the OTC serves as a major platform for the development of hydrocarbon resources in the area of drilling, environmental protection, exploration, production development, technology, and innovation.

Israel’s Economic Mission to the Southern United States brought the Israeli companies to exhibit innovative technologies at the conference, including Amiad Water Systems Ltd., BERMAD, HARBO Technologies, Strauss & Co., PCT- Protective Cooling Technology, among others.

In addition to the Israeli companies, this year’s conference featured 2,682 companies from 37 countries. More than 90,000 visitors attended from across the world.

Texan Congressman Randy Weber (R) visited the Israeli Pavilion and met with the Israelis companies as well as representatives of the Israeli Government, including Economic Consul Michal Niddam-Wachsman, to discuss the strong alliance between Israel, the U.S., and Texas. According to Israel’s Economic Mission to the Southern U.S. Facebook page, Israeli government representatives also discussed new ways to expand the relationship as well as collaboration and mutual benefit across all business sectors.

The Government of Israel Economic Mission to the U.S. Southern Region is part of the Israeli Foreign Trade Administration at Israel’s Ministry of the Economy. It is responsible for managing and directing the international trade policy of the State of Israel with ten southern states in the U.S. including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Mississippi – and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

In related news, nine Israeli homeland security companies visited Indiana in late April and met with 24 of Indiana’s leading companies along with homeland security and state law enforcement agencies. Indiana’s governor, Mike Pence, also joined the meeting to discuss economic collaboration opportunities between his state and Israel.