Decom North Sea, the membership organisation for the oil and gas decommissioning sector, has announced its inaugural Collaboration and Innovation in Decommissioning event, in conjunction with the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).

Held in Aberdeen next month, the event will bring operators and the supply chain together in a highly focused environment, to discuss decommissioning project challenges and opportunities.

Several North Sea operators – including BP, Fairfield Energy and TAQA - are participating and providing up to date information on their project activity. Each operator will share challenges through interactive sessions providing an open forum for supply companies to raise and discuss potential cost saving innovations which they may be developing.

In addition, supply chain attendees will have the opportunity to meet with the operators on a one-to-one basis.

Discussing the event, John Warrender, Chief Executive of Decom North Sea said: “Better information sharing regarding current and upcoming UKCS late life and decommissioning projects will benefit both supply chain and operators in achieving the 35% cost reduction goal, as set out by the OGA in 2016.

“Events which bring both parties together on a face-to-face basis create an informed sector that has the capability – and capacity – to provide the cost-effective, efficient activity required to achieve that objective.”

Bill Cattanach, Head of Supply Chain at the OGA added: “Many of the cost saving solutions are developed by the service sector and it’s important we create the right environment whereby operators engage directly with the service sector in a proactive way, making them part of the solution. 

“This event, the first in a series being organised, provides an ideal opportunity for open dialogue, as well as insights to the upcoming demand, capturing the sentiment of our recently launched Supply Chain Action Plans process.”

Collaboration and Innovation in Decommissioning takes place on 12 September. Bookings are currently open to Decom North Sea members; general bookings will be taken from 27 August. See www.decomnorthsea.com