Wireline Magazine Autumn 2020 Issue 49

News

operator campaigns, which ultimately will help position the UK sector as a global leader in decommissioning.” You can view the Cost Estimate 2020 report via the OGA website. A recording of the report launch webinar is also available to view on the OGUK Vimeo channel. Workforce Insight report charts pandemic’s impact on offshore jobs The number of workers on offshore oil and gas installations decreased by around 4,000 as the UK went into lockdown in March this year, according to official figures gathered by OGUK. Average weekly personnel on board decreased from around 11,000 on the 8 March to just over 7,000 one month later, with drilling and engineering construction trades hardest hit. OGUK’s Workforce Insight report 2020 also explores the uptake of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme by companies, particularly in the supply chain, as many positioned themselves to endure the triple whammy of low oil and gas prices and the operational impact of the coronavirus pandemic. While official figures on both on and offshore employment will not be available until next year, tentative signs are worrying and underline the need for governments, industry and regulators to work together to protect the jobs and skills that will be needed to meet UK energy needs now and as the country moves to a lower-carbon future. Reportauthor,OGUKworkforceengagement and skills manager Dr Alix Thom, added: “Our figures confirm the initial operational impact of the lockdown back in March this year, with the number of workers offshore decreasing considerably in the space of a month as companies reduced to minimum manning in a bid to control the spread.

Commercial before joining Neptune in 2020. An ardent promoter of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Alexandra champions for women in engineering and technical roles and mentors a number of men and women in their career development. BP’s Senior Vice President for the North Sea Emeka Emembolu has significant knowledge of the company, having joined the business in 1998. Since starting his career as a production engineer on bp’s ETAP development in the central North Sea, Emeka has worked in diverse technical and leadership roles in regions across the globe including the UK, Angola, Algeria, Egypt, Alaska and latterly Texas where he was Vice President, Reservoir Development for the Gulf of Mexico & Canada. Emeka is passionate about promoting STEM subjects and highlighting the potential for technology to deliver solutions to industry’s challenges. As Regional Director for CHC Helicopter’s European, Middle East and African business, Mark Abbey has a wealth of aerospace and aviation experience built up over 35 years in the industry. Mark’s career has encompassed senior management positions in Europe, the USA, India and China. Earlier in his career, Mark spent 16 years at BAE Systems in an executive role managing their aircraft systems and operational facilities for assets including the Hawk Jet Trainer.

OGA publishes Cost Estimate 2020 report

The total cost of UK offshore oil and gas decommissioning has fallen by a further 2% on a like-for-like basis in 2019 to £48 billion, according to the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). With a shared objective of industry and government to reduce decommissioning costs by at least 35%, the latest annual UKCS Decommissioning Cost Estimate 2020 shows estimated decommissioning costs have, to date, reduced by 19% since the OGA began benchmarking in 2017 using a baseline estimate of £59.7 billion. OGUK decommissioning manager Joe Leask noted: “The OGA’s report on decommissioning cost trends for the UK industry shows the challenges we face. “While significant progress has been made over the years, new ways of working will be critical to ensure we stimulate activity in the supply chain, keep skills and infrastructure in the UK, and meet our savings target. OGUK continues to work with industry, government and regulators to understand how we can bring innovative ideas to life, such as multi-

w ire lin e | A u t u m n 2 02 0 | 7