A private-sector oil and gas consultancy based in Aberdeen is to conduct an international bench-marking study on the relative merits, or otherwise, of the Scottish subsea supply chain against the industry’s global best.
Over the next 12 months, the Xodus Group findings will help to shape a range of projects and activities in support of the Scot-govt’s ‘Subsea Engineering Action Plan’
Following initial analysis of Scotland’s competitive advantages, Xodus will conduct a comparison of key international subsea hubs. This will include an examination of each region’s capabilities, such as company bases, supportive policies, research funding, institutes and the industry bodies available for developing these strengths.
Andrew Wylie, Operations Director ( Scotland and Norway) Xodus Group, said: “We have created our own ‘knowledge database’ from our experience in subsea engineering which retains knowledge from all our projects to support internal learning, innovation and efficiencies when delivering projects. This will support our team in identifying any perceived gaps in services, technologies or capabilities provided by the Scottish market.
“With the general lack of available benchmarking data globally, including in the North Sea, our extensive track record in subsea projects and our existing analysis of them, are particularly important to gather an understanding of where technology or services have failed or been successful.
A Scot-govt spokesman added: “Scotland already accounts for 14% of the global subsea market, comprising over 600 companies, generating an estimated annual turnover of £7.5 billion.
“The results of this study will allow us to identify where Scottish subsea companies can deploy their skills and support our plans for delivering a wide range of projects to ensure our companies are well placed to take advantage of new opportunities going forward.
“We’ve worked with Xodus in recent years and know that with its international experience and expertise they are well equipped to deliver this study.”
Meanwhile, J2 Subsea – an Acteon company established in 2008 to provide subsea ROV tooling products – has appointed Christian Blinkenberg as its new Aiberdeen-based general manager. He has previous industry experience in the USA and Norway.
Parkmead dives in for complete ownership at Dolphin oil field
Aiberdeen-based minnow explorer Parkmead has increased its equity in the Perth and Dolphin oil fields in the North Sea to 100%.
Parkmead has also signed an agreement with Nexen to conduct an engineering study in relation to the potential subsea tie-back of the Greater Perth Area project to the Nexen-operated Scott platform.
8 Feb 2012
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