A new decommissioning steering group launched by trade body Oil & Gas UK (OGUK) will lead the sector in delivering safe and environmentally sound decommissioning, while meeting decarbonisation goals.
Tasked with setting the agenda for UK North Sea decommissioning and led by THREE60 Energy chief executive Walter Thain, the cross-industry group will set out its priorities at the trade body’s flagship decommissioning event in St Andrews later this month.
Its goals include maintaining and developing the UK decommissioning supply chain, promoting new technologies and ensuring decommissioning can be delivered in a low-carbon way as the UK and oil industry work towards a 2050 net zero emissions target.
The group will run a session titled ‘Supply Chain: Resilience, Growth & Competing Priorities’ at the OGUK event, offering perspectives on export opportunities and decommissioning services for other low-carbon energy markets, including the offshore wind sector, during the conference.
THREE60 Energy Group chief executive Walter Thain will act as chairman of the steering committee, drawing on three decades of experience in the energy industry alongside expertise in developing innovative contract models to deliver cost-effective decommissioning.
The group also includes figures from across the sector, including Dr Minnie Lu from Wood; Neil Cuthbert from engineering consultancy Kent; Katie Cross from Marine Space, a marine planning SME; Iain Lewis from TAQA; John Wiseman from Fairfield Energy; RepsolSinopec UK’s Luis Batalla; EnQuest’s Will Black; Jon Clark from EY and Judith Aldersey-Williams from legal firm CMS.
Mr Thain said the current moment was “a pivotal point in our energy industry” as focus remains on maximising economic recovery of North Sea resources while also incorporating low-carbon thinking to align decommissioning with the energy transition.
“The Decommissioning Steering Group has a fantastic opportunity to fast-track industry priorities ensuring we grow our supply chain’s skills and capabilities to establish the UK as a centre of excellence while ensuring companies are well positioned to make the most of exporting their expertise as other provinces mature,” he added.
OGUK decommissioning manager Joe Leask said: “With this leading-edge expertise, we can also play a key role in supporting external initiatives run by the Department for International Trade’s export drive and the Oil and Gas Authority’s decommissioning and repurposing task force (DaRT).
The Offshore Decommissioning Conference runs from 22-24 November.
Recommended for you
