Centrica, Bibby Offshore Host Shadow Energy Minister

Centrica Energy and Bibby Offshore hosted Tom Greatrex MP, Shadow Energy Minister, on Thursday 19 February.

His visit was part of an oil and gas industry fact-finding initiative providing the opportunity to consult with industry leaders on how to best support the sector, the companies wrote in a press release.

Greatrex visited Centrica’s Aberdeen offices to find out more about how the company’s new and existing developments on the UK Continental Shelf are creating jobs and boosting the economy across the country. The MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West was given an update on the £1.5billion Cygnus project, where Centrica has a significant interest and is creating nearly 5,000 jobs in the UK supply chain, as well as the company’s major assets like Morecambe, which produces enough gas for 1.5million homes daily. Greatrex also met with some of the teams working across Centrica’s UK operations, including geologists, engineers and HSE experts.

Greatrex also toured The Hangar, Bibby Offshore’s 50,000 ft² purpose built state-of-the-art workshop and warehouse facility in Westhill. With diving and ROV equipment on site, Greatrex learnt about Bibby Offshore’s capabilities and development since inception in 2003. The company also highlighted its strong commitment to people development and training, introducing two of the company’s young ROV apprentices, Alexander Tice (17) and Edward Beattie (19).

David Sheret, General Manager, Global Business Development at Bibby Offshore, said: “Political engagement is vital for the continued investment in and the development of the energy industry. We were delighted to   demonstrate Bibby Offshore’s innovative and important work, and to discuss with Mr Greatrex the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

“We realise our success is down to our people, and understand fully the importance of valuing and investing in our staff. Our training programmes often act as a way to build a bridge from education to industry, and as a company we aim to help provide and improve opportunities for ambitious and talented individuals.”

Mark Lappin, Exploration and Subsurface Director for the UK and Netherlands at Centrica Energy, said: “It was great to meet Tom again and give him an update on our current projects.

“It is vital that we work closely alongside our partners, service companies like Bibby Offshore and the Government to bring these projects to life and continue investing in the UK, especially in an environment of low oil prices.”

Tom Greatrex MP, said: “Visiting both Centrica Energy and Bibby Offshore provided a great insight as to how companies work together from both the operator and supply chain perspective. It’s fantastic to see such positive and successful collaborative work within the industry, and the wealth of skilled and dedicated people that work within it.”