Research and development (R&D) spending in the North Sea will increase in the near future, according to oil and gas technology expert Martin Ewan.
The partner at law firm McGrigors said the combination of better economic circumstances and strong oil prices would propel new technologies on to the market.
Mr Ewan said: “As the North Sea matures, extracting the remaining oil is one of the most crucial challenges. The clever use of advanced technology will dictate whether companies will succeed or fail.
“On the flip side, improving economic factors mean companies are starting to revisit projects which may have been put on the back burner in the last few years.”
Mr Ewan is recognised as an expert on oil technology and has advised many companies.
He also contributed a chapter to the new edition of Oil and Gas Law: Current Practice and Emerging Trends, commissioned by Aberdeen University.
It is an established source on the legal, regulatory and contractual aspects of the energy sector.