Scottish Enterprise launches new offshore decommissioning report

The report is part of an oil and gas series commissioned by Scottish Enterprise's Energy team to provide market intelligence to Scottish companies.

Over the next two decades the offshore industry will begin to decommission many of the installations that have been producing oil and gas in the North Sea.

This will include small and large steel platforms, subsea and floating equipment. It is a complex process which will represent a challenge to the industry on many fronts encompassing technological, economic, and environmental and health and safety issues.

Some 470 installations, 10,000 kilometres of pipelines, 15 onshore terminals and around 5,000 wells are part of the infrastructure that will eventually need to be decommissioned. Total costs involved in decommissioning the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) are estimated at £15-20 billion.

Focusing on the United Kingdom, Norwegian and Dutch sectors of the North Sea, as well as the US Gulf of Mexico, the new Scottish Enterprise report outlines drivers, key legislation, processes, market values and planned projects that will help Scottish companies identify and evaluate the opportunities.

Brian Nixon, director of energy at Scottish Enterprise, said: "The decommissioning industry presents Scottish companies with tremendous opportunities for growth, diversification and internationalisation.

"We are working with oil and gas industry partners and The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to develop a strategic plan which will help the UK oil and gas supply chain ascertain where and when their capabilities and skills can capitalise on what could be an important growth sector."

Members of the Scottish Enterprise Energy team and Scottish Development International are attending ONS on the Scottish Pavilion, Hall J, Stand number 1018.

To obtain a copy of the decommissioning market report, please visit the stand. Alternatively you can email the Scottish Enterprise Energy Team at energy.info@scotent.co.uk