Page 98: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2013)

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Subsea

Subsea UK

Neil Gordon, energy minister

Michael Fallon, and Sir

Robert Smith, MP for West calls for national program

Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.

By Meg Chesshyre managed by ANP, is projected to raise the emerging marine renewables sec- ubsea UK is calling on the UK almost £6billion by 2020. Norway’s tor,” he added.

government to back plans for a Demo 2000 program has attracted Subsea UK has just launched a national program that will sup- around £7million/yr and in the US, UK-wide initiative to attract people

S port and fund subsea research, and the DeepStar joint industry technology into the subsea sector, but believes that a UK-wide skills program that will development project receives annual more needs to be done to raise the pro- help the sector fnd the 10,000 people funding of £2.4million. In comparison, fle of the industry and ensure that sub- it needs to capitalize on current and there has been zero investment from sea companies have access to a pool future demand, nationally and inter- UK industry and government in any of engineers, technicians, and project nationally. Subsea UK was formed by similar programs in the last 15 years. managers now and in the future. The the UK government and industry in The UK’s current success in subsea challenges in fnding suitably qualifed 2004 as a focal point for stakeholders is due to industry and government people, particularly in engineering dis- to promote and develop the sector at investment in the early years of the ciplines, have come about as a result home and abroad, maximizing its inter- North Sea when it was a test-bed for of the decline in the number of school national and diversifcation opportuni- subsea equipment and processes. children taking up math and science ties. Subsea UK now represents a major Gordon added: “Our blueprint subjects, the ageing workforce in the part of the subsea industry with over reveals that for our industry to con- oil and gas industry, the industry’s 250 members throughout the UK. tinue to create jobs, generate wealth perceived negative reputation, and

Subsea UK CEO, Neil Gordon, said and export revenues, we need signif- increasing global competition.

at a parliamentary reception in London cant funding for R&D, a national skills Gordon said: “We are already work- this summer “Extracting the UK’s program that will create a sustain- ing with schools and universities, as remaining reserves is now heavily able pipeline of new talent into the well as rolling out conversion train- dependent on subsea innovation and sector, an effective government-led ing programs for engineers coming skills. Already, almost 45% of UKCS and funded technology development into subsea and for former military production comes from subsea wells program and a stable fscal regime that personnel but we need a much more and new developments will take this encourages investment in game-chang- concerted effort between the industry, up to 70%. Getting the remaining oil ing technology.” education and government to make out of the ground, in the North Sea “A national subsea R&D program sure we have a sustainable pipeline of and in other deeper water provinces would help extend the life of ageing talent.” around the world, will largely rely on North Sea assets, ensuring maximum Subsea UK estimates that the UK’s the next wave of subsea innovation. recovery of remaining reserves in a subsea industry is now worth £8.9

But, we are not investing in R&D to the commercially viable way, it would billion, about 45% of the £20 billion same extent as competing countries in underpin the long-term future of a global market. A new survey of more

Brazil, the US, and Norway.” major UK manufacturing and service than 750 companies throughout the

Brazil’s oil and gas R&D fund, industry and have a positive impact on entire supply chain shows that 16,000

OE | September 2013 oedigital.com 100 000_OE0913_subsea3_UK.indd 100 8/19/13 7:59 AM