Page 7: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Dec/Jan 2013)

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Voices

A helping hand. When it comes to new technology, OE asked:

The Federal govern- ment’s role “What role should national governments have is critically in funding research and development in the important in early-stage oil and gas industry?” technology development,

Research and

It is in the both as a cat- development is key to interest of alyst and as an eliminator of risk. competition, innovation governments

Government support is typically and attracting fnancial to provide an required to advance a technology investment in oil and element of to the point where it is commer- gas. In emerging support for cially viable. For frst-of-a-kind markets, the role of the develop- technologies with heavy upfront national government ment of new costs, government support is of- is to support business, technologies for the oil & gas ten required to eliminate risk and by equipping a young, evolving workforce sector to enable the planet to encourage private investment. with the necessary skills to succeed in make the best use of the reserves

Support need not be monetary. An the industry. In hubs such as Aberdeen available. The technology-led example would be in streamlined and Houston, the economic benefts of solutions delivered by supply permitting and regulatory approv- state investment in education are already chain companies are invaluable als that can provide the necessary evident. These cities have understood the in helping to discover and recover of assurance for those investing need for specialist programs and are net increasingly hard-to-reach their own business development exporters of technology and expertise. The hydrocarbon reserves and further funds. Government cooperation

Transforming Futures Programme at UOG investment in research and devel- with industry can help secure 2014, a pioneering skills exchange initiative, opment by these companies and market acceptance of early adop- will promote training for young people and government working in partner- tion of new technologies.

encourage further funding in this area.

ship can only beneft the sector.

Charles D. McConnell Joshua Beagelman,

George Raferty,

Executive Director,

COO,

Energy and Environment CEO,

Initiative (e2i)

Universal Oil & Gas

NOF Energy

We face large technological chal-

It is an immense national advantage to lenges in order to reach IOR targets, have oil and gas resources. Research develop marginal felds and keep and development funding from national costs down. Commitment to R&D and governments is essential to create innovation is crucial. Government wealth and to meet national and cor- funding in an early phase is vital in porate production targets. Technology order to capture ideas and secure development is a joint commitment; innovation. It triggers investments by government fostering knowledge cre- the industry, and is highly proftable ation through incentives and fnancial for both industry and society.

support, with industry facilitating delivery to access profts, security, and sustainable growth.

Erling Kvadsheim,

David Liddle, Director, industry policy, Business Development Executive,

Norwegian Oil and Gas Association

Society for Underwater Technology (Norse olje & gass)

Go to OEDIGITAL.COM and give us your opinion on this month’s topic!

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