Decom North Sea CEO Roger Esson (photo: Decom North Sea)

Decommissioning will be a special focus at SPE Offshore Europe 2017 with a range of expert speakers announced as part of the plenary and new Decommissioning Zone technical programme.

Shell will host a keynote panel session with senior spokespeople from CNR, Chevron, Heerema Marine Contractors, Marine Scotland and the UK regulator BEIS.

Supported by Decom North Sea, the new Decommissioning Zone will deliver an extensive line-up including presentations hosted by ITF, The Society for Underwater Technology, ImechEand Decom North Sea. Panellists offering expert insight throughout the three-day conference include Stephen Hall, CEO Society for Underwater Technology; Pieter voor de Poorte, Subsea Decommissioning Lead, Premier Oil and Bill Cattanach OBE, Head of Supply Chain, Oil & Gas Authority.

The zone is set to bring together thousands of highly targeted technical, business and government industry professionals with exhibitors including Diaquip, Integrated DECOM, EMAS Energy, Fairfield Energy, Petroplan Europe Ltd and Xodus Group among those signed up.

With more than 100 offshore platforms forecast for full or partial removal in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) and 1,800 wells to be plugged over the next decade, SPE recognised a need to place decommissioning high on the 2017 Offshore Europe agenda.

As several assets in the North Sea reach the end of their lifespan, the latest cost estimate from the Oil and Gas Authority has predicted the cost of decommissioning the UKCS oil and gas infrastructure is £59.7 billion with an ambitious goal of completing this work for less than £39 billion.

Roger Esson, Decom North Sea CEO says, “Operators and regulators are planning for the inescapable responsibility of decommissioning. The inaugural Decommissioning Zone at SPE Offshore Europe 2017 is an important step for the sector and wider industry to further discussions around planning, regulation, execution optimisation and technology.”

“Not only will this zone showcase the innovative capabilities of its exhibitors, but its comprehensive programme of conference sessions will provide knowledge and insight into the opportunities and issues arising within the sector,” adds Esson.

Gareth Rapley, SPE Offshore Europe exhibition director, says, “We are looking forward to showcasing the latest advances in decommissioning and the theatre in the new zone will give a platform for debating and sharing lessons learned. We anticipate a lot of interest in the zone as the industry takes stock of the challenges and opportunities around dealing with assets reaching the end of production.”

SPE Offshore Europe takes place 5 – 8 September in Aberdeen and will feature 1,000 exhibitors with 65 free to attend technical presentations and 11 keynote panel sessions combined with business breakfasts and topical lunches.

For full details of the SPE Offshore Europe 2017 Decommissioning Zone including how to become an exhibitor and the programme of events visit www.offshore-europe.co.uk/Decommissioning-Zone

Tags: Chevron, CNR, Decom North Sea, Heerema Marine Contractors, Marine Scotland, Premier Oil, Shell, SPE Offshore Europe 2017, Subsea Decommissioning Lead