The Aberdeen-based Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) has reported £37million of co-investment in more than 70 projects in its first year.
Created and run as part of the collaborative spirit that followed the oil downturn, OGTC has sought to develop and deploy new technology that could transform the future of the UK North Sea.
Boasting more than 80 members, the centre aims to bring together oil and gas operators, supply chain companies and technology developers, alongside experts from other industries and academia.
OGTC chief executive Colette Cohen said: “We’ve made great progress to establish the Oil & Gas Technology Centre, identify hundreds of exciting technologies and co-invest £37 million in more than 70 projects with our industry partners to develop and deploy new technologies.
“From SMEs to technology developers to oil majors – the response has been fantastic and we’ve also enjoyed excellent support from the UK and Scottish Governments, the Oil & Gas Authority, local councils and regional partners.
“I’m confident, together with industry, we can help unlock the full potential of the UK North Sea, anchor the supply chain in North East Scotland and create a culture of innovation in the region.”
In its first year, OGTC developed the TechX accelerator programme and reached out with the recent Digital Transformation ‘Call for Ideas’, which looks to re-imagine the potential of the UK North Sea.
Ms Cohen added: “Quite often a lot of the ideas come from out with the oil and gas industry, whether that’s the London Underground or Landrover Jaguar, that see an opportunity with new technology that could be applied in this sector.
“How do we change the way we operate and develop the next wave of technology? These are the things that we will be looking at over the next five years that will allow us to unlock the potential of the North Sea.”
Andy Samuel, chief executive of the Oil and Gas Authority, said: “I am really pleased to see the outstanding work from the Oil and Gas Technology Centre since opening last year. By bringing together industry and technology developers, the centre is driving the industry into the 21st century; and we’re actually starting to see some real deployment. A great example of this is their MER UK Award winning collaboration with Total to trial asset integrity technologies which could have significant cost savings.
“We also really need technology to help unlock the next generation of projects, such as the 3.2bn barrels in undeveloped discoveries (including ‘small pools’), and we are encouraged by industry’s response to our asset stewardship Technology Plans and licensing rounds.”
Deirdre Michie, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, added: “New technology can play a key role in helping prolong the life of the UK Continental Shelf. Our industry operates in the most hostile and challenging of conditions but has enjoyed longevity thanks to the ground-breaking thinking and technological innovations developed by our world class supply chain.
“The Oil & Gas Technology Centre has made great headway in its first year and we look forward to more of its pioneering activity and developments that will help us go after the billions of barrels of oil and gas the UK North Sea still holds.”
Recommended for you
