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Opinion Ebb & Flow Ebb & Flow Ebb & Flow

Neil Gordon, Subsea UK

Subsea sets sights on skills

One of the fastest-growing sectors in we now pass the half-way point of With the continuing growth recent years, the subsea industry is the UKCS’ life expectancy, recent however, comes the challenge of

O set to continue on its upward curve E&A and E&P activity underline attracting and retaining new talent. in 2013. Having demonstrated high that there is signi? cant life left. The A recent survey of Subsea UK growth through the recession, the sector will undoubtedly face many members revealed that the industry subsea sector is enjoying a positive more challenges over the coming could require a further 10,000 long-term outlook with the global years. people over the next year. market predicted to increase by Focus has begun to shift to other Realistically, it will take longer 100% over the next ? ve years to areas of the industry; integrity to build this increase into the

US$70 billion. management has seen strong sector.

The subsea sector has successfully growth, particularly as we look Government is increasingly capitalized on a range of challenges at extending the life of already realizing the economic bene? t the by expanding into new frontiers matured assets. Order books for industry brings in terms of jobs with deeper and more complex main contractors’ vessel activity are and investment, such as the ‘Skills wells, and continues to show healthy for the next two years and Development Scotland’ funding signi? cant future growth potential. the export market continues to be recently secured by Subsea UK.

It is also one of the fastest-growing very strong. Many companies are Members will be able to develop sectors in the UK – capturing over initiatives which will push for a third of the global market. The the recruitment and development

A recent survey of challenge that the subsea sector in of experienced personnel via members revealed the UK faces is to not only retain transitional and conversion training the industry could that market share, but to steadily programs.

increase it. This will ensure that the industry require a further While the north-east of Scotland not only addresses the acute skills 10,000 people.

will remain a recognized subsea shortage in the short-term, but that center of excellence, with the we establish a sustainable pipeline highest concentration of subsea exporting in excess of 80% of their of skilled workers guaranteeing the companies in the UK, other regions turnover and Subsea UK is working long-term health of the UK subsea throughout the UK are increasing in partnership with UK Trade & industry.

their subsea engineering and Industry and Scottish Development manufacturing capabilities. It is this International to help ? rms both Following 20 years’ international nationally connected supply chain export to and exploit established management experience,

Neil that is the key to the industry’s and emerging foreign markets. was appointed chief

Gordon success. The North Sea has become Looking forward, it is expected executive of Subsea UK in 2011. a recognized test bed and seat of that ? rms will move increasingly Prior to this, he spent four years learning for subsea technology into deepwater territories, managing the National Hyperbaric and expertise and 2013 will see over 500m and, in many cases, Centre where he oversaw saturation unprecedented levels of subsea up to 3000m. While there are diving operations and hyperbaric activity in this mature province. considerable risks inherent in weld trials. Gordon trained as Although the industry must exploring and extracting at these a commercial diver, working in continue to exploit overseas depths, huge ? nancial returns are Norway and the UK on construction markets, there is still considerable possible, as this is where the large projects, pipeline surveys, welding scope in the North Sea. Even as ? elds are situated. and inspection.

OE | February 2013 oedigital.com 20 oe_ebb&flowFEB.indd 20 31/01/2013 10:16