The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) has really outgrown its name. While the name indicates an offshore focus, you'll find companies who service the oil & gas industry in all walks on and off shore.

Attendance set a record at almost 105,000. That's the highest since 1982.

If you didn't attend, you missed out on over 2,700 industry exhibits displaying new technologies that improve oil and gas exploration and operations.

A few highlights include:

• Statoils remote welding robot that allows a company to tie into a live pipe
• Geogrid technology from Tensar that strengthens rig pads and can be used to decrease erosion
• Water desalination technology advances
• New, improved version of GE's blind sheer ram (part of the BOP)
• A rig that is almost fully automated and robotic - no humans on the deck floor
• Downhole pipe cutting tool that leaves smooth edges

We only spent a day at the OTC conference, but you can read more about the whole week at fuelfix.com