Plans to harvest precious metals from mud and silt deep below the Pacific Ocean’s surface could lead to a business boost for Scotland’s oil and gas service sector.
Aerospace and security company Lockheed Martin UK (LM UK) is behind the initiative, which is expected to generate about £40billion for Britain’s economy over a 30-year spell.
Launching the scheme, LM UK said that with its long tradition of maritime engineering and involvement in North Sea oil and gas, engineering companies working in Scotland’s energy sector were particularly well placed to take up the opportunity to get involved in the cutting-edge business.
Industry body Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) said yesterday the invitation for service firms to take part highlighted its members’ excellent reputation for innovation. OGUK operations director Oonagh Werngren added: “As a vibrant and technology-driven sector, the UK oil and gas industry has pioneered marine technology, skills and expertise to maximise recovery from the UK continental shelf.
“This knowledge and experience, developed over . . . 40 years, are highly sought after in a range of new and burgeoning industrial sectors, including those involved in renewable energy and carbon capture and storage.”
The seabed harvesting project – led by LM UK subsidiary UK Seabed Resources – will take place in depths of up to 2.5miles in a 22,400 square-mile area between Hawaii and Mexico. Tennis ball-sized, mineral rich deposits will be brought to the surface using a combination of remotely operated underwater vehicles, pumps, suction and riser pipes.
LM UK said it was an ecologically sound method for meeting growing global demand for precious metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts described the venture as “an extraordinary opportunity for underwater mining for these valuable and important minerals” and said it could lead to a better understanding of deep-sea biology.
LM UK said UK Seabed Resources was working closely with UK government departments and research institutions on environmental and industrial elements of the project.
Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre and Natural History Museum are among environmental specialists from around the world who have already met in London to discuss the initiative. They will be commissioned to carry out assessments of deep-sea ecosystems and participate in an environmental cruise in late summer, as part of baseline studies to progress the firm’s’ exploration licence.
Plans to harvest precious metals from mud and silt deep below the Pacific Ocean’s surface could lead to a business boost for Scotland’s oil and gas service sector.
Aerospace and security company Lockheed Martin UK (LM UK) is behind the initiative, which is expected to generate about £40billion for Britain’s economy over a 30-year spell.
Launching the scheme, LM UK said that with its long tradition of maritime engineering and involvement in North Sea oil and gas, engineering companies working in Scotland’s energy sector were particularly well placed to take up the opportunity to get involved in the cutting-edge business.