Businesses and researchers are to work together to identify opportunities for economic development in light of increased decommissioning in the North Sea.
An industry event – involving researchers from the University of Edinburgh – will discuss how the closure of oil and gas platforms is making areas of the North Sea available for other industries.
The academics will also call for closer collaboration between different bodies to develop an improved approach to decommissioning.
Professor Murray Roberts, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences, said: “Oceans are under greater pressure than ever from economic activity and climate change, and it is important that we manage this important resource carefully.
“If industry, government and academia get together to generate and share information, we can ensure that best knowledge supports sustainable economic marine development.”
Experts believe that the gap left by the removal of oil and gas platforms could create opportunities in areas such as fishing, shipping, renewable energy and large-scale fish farming.
They also believe that it could enable developments in subsea cabling, marine biotechnology and maritime defence surveillance.
Those in attendance will discuss how the collecting and sharing of environmental data between industry, government agencies and researchers could help to develop an approach to decommissioning which would protect the ecology and economic potential of the sea.
The event, which will feature representatives from BP, the Crown Estate and the European Marine Board, will be held as part of the European Maritime Day conference in Poole on Thursday.
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