A government mentoring scheme to help UK oil and gas firms make the most of the huge potential market in Norway is being re-launched.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates cross-border trade with Norway was worth about a £1billion over the last few years – each way – and is expected to increase significantly in coming years as activity ramps up on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
So it is re-launching its mentoring programme, now in its fourth year, and is looking for operators or major contractors and small and medium enterprises based in the UK to take part.
This year it will focus on enhanced oil recovery.
Torry-based Churchill Drilling, a down hole tool rental firm employing about 20 people, has been on the mentoring scheme. It says Norway is an important market – about 20% of the nearly 10 year old firm’s business.
Director Mike Churchill said: “The mentoring programme was an excellent opportunity for the company to immerse itself in a dynamic group of individuals committed to cross border business development.
“Attending workshops with professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds helped us to quantify the opportunities that the Norwegian market could offer and also illustrated the best practice for setting and achieving our goals.
“The commitment and insight of our own mentor saved us a lot of time in adapting our strategy to the market and also ensured that we stayed on track throughout the program.
“The Norwegian market is now a significant and expanding element of our business and I am convinced that being part of the programme has played a key role in that success.”
The two-way project will see companies in both the UK and Norway matched with established organisations in the neighbouring country to help them develop this important market.
Operators and major contractors are needed to mentor Norwegian firms while smaller UK firms will be matched up with a Norwegian mentor.
The programme will be structured over 12 months and will include one to one mentoring, quarterly events in the UK and Norway, opportunities for networking and sharing of experiences and a review of progress.
There will also be an opportunity for appropriate guest speakers to talk to the collective programme membership on some of the issues affecting the industry, such as the supply chain and skills shortages.
To register your interest contact the PILOT Secretariat at DECC at pilot.secretariat@decc.gsi.gov.uk. More information will be available on the PILOT pages at www.decc.gov.uk.