Middle East Workboats 2011 opens on optimistic note - 58 new OSVs required to support recent oil and gas contracts worth $10b The maritime commercial climate in the Middle East is in buoyant mood, especially for the workboats sector, as investment in the offshore oil and gas industry spurs demand for offshore support vessels (OSVs), according to industry experts speaking at Middle East Workboats 2011. The three-day conference and exhibition was officially opened by Awaidha Murshed Al Murar, Director of Shared Services, ADNOC, along with Khalifa M.