UK subsea firms to explore opportunities down under

Industry body, Subsea UK, will be seeking to establish stronger links between Australian and British businesses to exploit the significant oil and gas developments at this year’s Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (AOG). The event, which takes place from 24-26 February 2016, will explore how new technology and better cooperation will help to drive the industry forward.

Celebrating its 35th year, AOG 2016 will have ‘collaboration’ as its theme, with over 100 experts from leading companies providing input on how industry, government and key stakeholders should continue to work closely together to reduce costs and improve productivity.

With a string of world class Australian LNG projects making the transition from the construction to operational phase, the UK subsea sector is well positioned to support province in meeting its target to become the world’s leading exporter of LNG by 2018.

Under the Subsea UK banner, two British companies, Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering and James Fisher Excavation will get the chance to showcase their products and services to oil and gas companies, service providers, engineers, technical professionals and suppliers.

Subsea UK is once again supporting the Subsea Australasia Conference at the event, which will include a session chaired by Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK, on innovation, field development and the changing outlook for the global subsea sector.

Mr Gordon commented: “Australia boasts an outstanding economic track record. As the fifth largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region, and the 13th largest economy in the world, the country is viewed as a dynamic and stable market which presents a pool of opportunities for the UK subsea sector.

“A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that Australia and the Asia Pacific region have much to be positive about in the longer term, with LNG projects predicted to create thousands of jobs, export income and new revenues.

“It’s important that UK companies take full advantage of these opportunities, casting their nets further than the North Sea to explore ways of exporting their technology and expertise. As the industry body for the UK subsea sector, we will be representing all 320 of our members at the event and looking at ways in which we can help them break into the Australasian market.”

Expected to attract over 500 exhibiting companies from 25 countries, the conference is the largest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere and offers delegates an opportunity to debate key issues, encourage new ways of thinking and explore future subsea developments.

Each year, the conference highlights and defines the issues and challenges of subsea exploration and development on a national and international level. The 2016 conference program will include international keynote presentations, case study presentations, technical updates, one-to-one meetings and panel discussions over the three-day event.

“UK companies have the skills, technology and experience to meet demand for subsea expertise in the Americas, Africa and, increasingly, in the Asia Pacific region. Working in partnership with UKTI, Subsea UK is leading the delegation to AOG to showcase British subsea excellence,” Mr Gordon added.