A quick glance at the news right now illustrates that we are living through interesting times. In the UK alone, this past month’s headlines have been dominated by change, whether that means Brexit, IndyRef2 or the latest budget.
However, from a decommissioning standpoint, the fundamentals are this: regardless of the current news, North Sea oil & gas is still flowing; facilities still need to be maintained and decommissioning activity will still happen.
Regardless of the outcome of any changes that take place over the coming weeks, months and years, the UKCS decommissioning sector will still be required to access equipment and knowledge from Europe and across the globe, and in turn provide our services to those markets, as our expertise increases.
In other words, the overarching objective does not change; we will continue connecting capability with opportunity, working to achieve cost-efficient decommissioning solutions and this month, I’d like to draw your attention to two very good examples of this.
Single topic, Multi-region: OTC 2017
For the first time in several years, Decom North Sea will be attending OTC Houston.
The reason behind this is very simple and something I’ve written about several times in the past; the decommissioning sector – which includes asset management and the late life phase – is an element of the global oil & gas industry and it’s Decom North Sea’s responsibility to engage with that global market, ensuring that we’re maximising the opportunities for lessons learned.
In comparison to the North Sea, there are other areas, the Gulf of Mexico being an obvious example, where decommissioning is a far more established sector, and I believe there is much to learn there.
To optimise our own efficiencies, we must explore the technical, regulatory and commercial models already in use elsewhere.
By asking how other markets have prepared for and implemented late life and decommissioning projects, we will also understand the methods with which the documented cost reductions have been achieved.
This is valuable information for our members.
OTC also gives me the opportunity to introduce our Late Life Planning Portal (L2P2) to the US market.
As a repository for lessons learned and case studies, L2P2 can gain much from the input of our colleagues who have already undertaken a significant body of decommissioning work.
The portal will be showcased at the Decom North Sea Networking Breakfast, which takes place on May 2 at the Hilton Houston Post Oak.
In partnership with the Department for International Trade and supported by Scottish Development International, delegates at the breakfast will hear from a number of companies involved in the decommissioning sector, including Baker Hughes. See www.decomnorthsea.com for further details on how to register.
Decom Offshore 2017
Many of you reading this will have attended our annual Decom Offshore conference and exhibition in previous years.
You’ll therefore know how much the event has grown, in terms of both content and popularity. It’s a consistent sell-out and has gained a reputation for providing unrivalled learning and networking opportunities for the expected 400 delegates.
Now in its fifth year, Decom Offshore 2017: Challenging the Norm will reflect its title, by focusing on providing a clear picture of recent and current activity within the decommissioning sector.
This is an evolving sector, and fundamental to our commitment to assisting a robust, global supply chain win work, is to ensure we are constantly learning from latest experience.
This year, the programme is keenly focused upon the current opportunities available in the late life and decommissioning sector, for all levels of the supply chain.
Kicking off the conference, key note speaker Chris Cox, managing director of Centrica’s exploration & production business, will address the conference theme by outlining his vision for North Sea decommissioning.
Among the topics covered will be risk-based and total cost approach to optimal timing, collaboration between regulators, industry bodies and operators to establish fit-for-purpose work scopes, and the urgent need for the supply chain to focus on solutions and delivery models that can support and collaborate with operators to manage their decommissioning activities and costs.
Supporting that view, Decom Offshore 2017 also sees the introduction of One-to-One sessions, with a particular emphasis upon supply chain export opportunities via engagement with our board of directors and other strategic partners. Bookings for the One-to-One sessions will open in early May; watch this space.
Further programme details are available on our website. Decom North Sea looks forward to seeing you there.
Roger Esson is CEO of Decom North Sea
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