OEUK Decommissioning Conference returns to spark success and unlock opportunities

The leading representative body for the offshore energy sector, Offshore Energies UK, is gearing up to host its annual Offshore Decommissioning Conference next month, supported by principal sponsor TAQA.

The event, running from November 20-22, brings together industry experts for presentations, networking opportunities, exhibitions, and dinners at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews, Fife.

OEUK publishes its annual Decommissioning Insight Report on the opening morning of the conference on November 21, highlighting the growing prospects for the sector and how it is helping create the skilled workforce needed for the UK’s changing offshore energy industry.

With around 450 people expected to attend, the theme of the 2023 event will be ‘delivering decommissioning’ – sharing opportunities, successes and lessons to explore how operators, regulators and the supply chain can collaborate for effective decommissioning.

The winners of OEUK’s Excellence in Decommissioning awards in both operator and supply chain categories will also be revealed, recognising companies that have had an extraordinary impact on the sector in 2023.

Sessions will be championed by the North Sea Transition Authority, Net Zero Technology Centre, National Decommissioning Centre, The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, East of England Energy Group, and the Global Underwater Hub.

Attendees will discuss collaboration, well decommissioning, environmental views on decommissioning and the energy transition, as well as regulations and share cross-sector learnings for an integrated energy industry. Supporting sponsors include Repsol Resources UK Limited and Stork Technical Services UK Limited.

Ricky Thomson, OEUK’s decommissioning manager, said:

“The UK decommissioning sector is unique, and its skills and people will be crucial throughout the energy transition.

“However, it also has its own set of challenges that must be addressed to unlock the full scale of opportunity left in the North Sea, including competition from new energies and attracting and retaining talent for the abundance of work that lies ahead.

“This event provides the latest insight on decommissioning market intelligence, enabling clients and suppliers to do business more effectively and innovate for the changing future of decommissioning.

“We look forward to welcoming delegates to the event and having the opportunity to discuss the decommissioning industry’s prospects and challenges with those who are experts in the field.”

Donald Taylor, TAQA UK’s managing director, said:

“The annual OEUK Decommissioning Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges that decommissioning in the UK North Sea presents – and to work together to find solutions that will ensure the massive scale of decommissioning activity that is to come can be delivered safely, responsibly and cost effectively.

“Decommissioning is the final phase of the oil and gas lifecycle and is a major component of the North Sea’s transition to net zero.

“The planning and preparation for the simultaneous removal of TAQA UK’s Northern North Sea platforms is decommissioning on a scale that’s never been done before in the UK, bringing opportunities for economies of scale and to learn, share and collectively improve as an industry.

“Success relies on collaborative relationships with partners and the supply chain, and we are proud to sponsor this conference, which has this objective at its core.”

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE