SAFETY and training will not be compromised, however severely the recession hits the North Sea oil and gas sector.
That was the pledge from industry leaders to the Scottish Parliament’s economy, energy and tourism committee in Aberdeen yesterday.
Representatives from ConocoPhillips (UK), Halliburton, Oil and Gas UK, Opito the Oil and Gas Academy, and Scottish Enterprise Grampian gave evidence to the committee as part of its inquiry into Scotland’s energy future.
The evidence session – only the second such meeting of the committee outside Holyrood – heard of the challenges facing oil companies as they weigh-up investing in exploration and production against a background of economic downturn and tumbling oil prices.
MSPs also quizzed industry leaders on opportunities for oil and gas firms to diversify into offshore wind and marine technology.
Mike Bowyer, director of Halliburton, told the committee the industry had learned the lessons of previous recessions and understood the importance of holding on to its skilled workforce.
“There is a concern that we are going into a severe downturn and coming out of that downturn we have to be careful we don’t lose many of these scarce skills.”
Mr Bowyer said it was also vital that the industry protects its employees.
“It’s fair to say that in previous downturns there has been an attendant drop in investment in ongoing maintenance and upkeep. Whatever happens in this downturn we can’t take our eyes off the safety ball,” he stressed.
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Geoff Runcie said the Scottish Government could show its support to the industry by investing in the infrastructure needed to support it, such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. He also urged MSPs to back the proposed Energetica project, which aims to create a corridor of energy firms between Aberdeen and Peterhead.
Speaking after the meeting, committee convener Iain Smith said the talks had been very helpful.
“It was important that we heard the views from the oil and gas industry,” he said.
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