Subsea North East to explore how to maximise global opportunities

Over 40 companies from across the north-east of England are expected to attend the annual Subsea North East Conference and Exhibition on Thursday, June 11, 2015, to address how new technology can drive the efficiencies urgently needed in the current low oil price environment.

The Subsea North East regional group’s event which is organised in partnership with NOF Energy has more than 250 people registered to attend the event, which aims to promote the region’s innovation and excellence in the development of subsea technology.

Sponsored by Newcastle University, the event will welcome speakers from, TOTAL, Subsea 7, NSRI (National Subsea Research Initiative) and ITF (Industry Technology Facilitator) to explore a number of topics from how to maximise global opportunities to the challenges of developing new technology.

Speaking at the event, Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK will outline the industry body’s role in championing the sector both at home and abroad.

“As the impact of the sharp decline in oil price reverberates across the supply chain, companies across the country are feeling pain. Tackling the underlying cost and efficiency challenges is now critical to safe-guarding the future of our oil and gas industry and maintaining the success of the subsea supply chain.

“The north-east of England is a hub of subsea expertise and it is the innovation inherent within these companies that holds the key to meeting the oil and gas industry’s challenges.

“This event will encourage organisations in the north-east to come together to debate the issues, find new ways of working and explore how we can deliver efficiency and reduce costs.”

As a self-sustaining body, Subsea UK represents over 320 members and acts as a focal point to promote the sector and maximise its opportunities, providing a national forum for collaboration, diversification and technology development.

In partnership with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP), Subsea North East will also be running a joint industry and academia event on June 10 to address the research challenges faced by the subsea sector. Bringing together 16 north-east subsea companies and the five local universities, the workshop aims to promote collaboration between universities and the subsea industry to maximise the commercial revenue generated and employment levels within the region.

Dr Gordon Drummond, project director of NSRI will discuss why there is a greater need for more meaningful engagement between industry and academia to speed up the development of new subsea technology to meet current and future industry challenges. NSRI is building direct links between the two in a more co-ordinated way that will increase subsea related research in the UK.

He said: “Our focus is to bring industry, developers and academia together to explore and speed up the development of near to market technologies which will help maximise economic recovery of hydrocarbons from the UK continental shelf.

“We have an influential and pivotal role in making sure the UK’s subsea technology needs are understood and met.”

The Subsea North East Conference and Exhibition will take place on Thursday June 11 at Newcastle Football Club.

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