As I reach my first anniversary in the role of Head of Waste and Decommissioning with ASCO, it seems like a good time to take stock of our decommissioning capabilities, reflecting on what has been and what is to come. There’s quite a bit to reflect on, as ASCO has been active in decommissioning for over 10 years, having been involved in over 50 separate projects – but have we really promoted that fact enough? Possibly not yet…
It’s not long before we host our first ever digital decommissioning conference on November 24-25 and with the aim of creating a dynamic, international and interactive online experience, it’ll be like no other event we’ve ever hosted before.
The events of 2020 require no explanation. They have changed life for the last seven months and continue to do so.
It’s fair to say 2020 has been an unprecedented year. Imagine how unlikely it would have seemed this time last year if someone had said wearing masks in a shop would now be essential, handshakes a distant memory and that we would need to brave the October chill outside the Chester Hotel and Dutch Mill to enjoy a drink?
Hydrogen will play a key role in our transition to clean energy over the coming decades as it takes a priority position in the oil and gas industry’s decarbonisation efforts. In 2020, we have seen slower industry activity and a reduced oil price, but net-zero carbon targets and broad societal support for them remain.
The recent announcement by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his plans to drive renewable growth and make the country a world leader in offshore wind may be a turning point for the UK in seizing the opportunity to lead a low-carbon transition.
Hoover Ferguson stepped up decommissioning activity this year, securing a contract with leading Celtic-basin operator, PSE Kinsale Energy (KEL), for the supply of temporary accommodation units on the Kinsale Bravo platform. The Bravo platform originally operated as a manned facility, but was converted to an NUI in 2001 and the redundant platform accommodation was not suitable for remanning.
A series of significant milestones - shaping the next generation of deep-water infrastructure developments at Lerwick Harbour - are expanding capability and competitiveness for the offshore decommissioning and renewables industries.
Aberdeen-based GDi is pioneering a number of technologies with a focus on driving efficiencies through big data, machine learning and enhanced visualisation.
The universal "pause" brought on by Covid-19 has been overridden by the realisation that this pandemic and its repercussions are challenges we have to deal with and adapt to if we are to survive and thrive.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been one of the most impactful influences on the global workplace in recent years. Not since the advent of PCs and the introduction of the internet and email have organisations from every sector felt such a dramatic change in the way they work.
Dynamix One has launched a new range of containerised solutions for the renewable energy sector.
The Covid-19 pandemic is challenging individuals on many levels. The virus and its consequences are taking their toll on mental and physical wellbeing, as well as causing anxieties about the health of loved ones, job security, and the future of businesses. Additionally, individuals often face uncertainty regarding where to turn for Covid-19 testing, and how to access healthcare services during the pandemic. At ROC we are here to make accessing both routine medical care and Covid-19 testing as straightforward and comfortable as possible.
Drillmar Resources, in partnership with training and competency experts Polaris Learning, has developed a new bespoke competency management system for its workforce.
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, the signs are all there that we’re heading into winter, whilst also facing a spiralling pandemic.
Established upon the vast experience and expertise of chief executive Ivan Gutierrez, Oil and Gas Corrosion has been providing a wide variety of energy operators across the globe with advice in oil and gas for more than six years.
The infamous heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Perhaps the same could apply to the national net-zero plan - a strategy that appears lost in what most will agree are the more sudden and painful issues of Brexit and the Covid pandemic?
In common with some other industry events, we took the decision to keep Decom Offshore in the calendar. Despite the difficulties wrought by the global pandemic, decommissioning has been in the headlines a number of times over the past six months. Decommissioning of offshore assets is inevitable and seismic market shifts as we’ve all recently encountered serve as a catalyst for further conversation around the timing and approach.
Digitalisation offers considerable opportunities for the energy industry as it moves towards achieving 2050 net zero targets, which include increasing efficiency and decreasing costs.
In February I wrote about the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition, prompted by a speech by Oil and Gas Authority chairman Tim Eggar.
As the number of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects continues to grow, Tenaris is looking into new ways to support the energy industry to meet the net zero emissions objectives.
“The oil industry has got a terrible habit of playing itself down when in reality it, and Aberdeen specifically, has a load to offer. We’ve been through things like this before and if there was a more positive attitude I think we’d be in a much better place.”
Covid-19 has caused an unprecedented global economic and social crisis. The pandemic has significantly affected all aspects of life. Almost overnight the world as we knew it began to spin on a completely different axis.
Texo Group’s sister company Texo DSI has successfully pioneered a new unmanned inspection method on a major UK North Sea FPSO, delivering significant safety, time and cost saving benefits.