Under-pressure oil and gas industry supply-chain businesses in the East of England will take seats at roundtable talks with Aberdeen-based national industry leaders next month along with Tier-1 operators and local MPs.
Companies that have had to lay off staff, cut salaries and urgently look for new opportunities in tough times offshore have been invited to the table for frank talks with North Sea operators and leaders from the industry regulators
The talks will take place – away from the main stage.- at the East of England Energy Group’s (EEEGR) Southern North Sea conference next month
Senior executives of companies feeling the full effects of the downturn of the oil & gas industry and fighting to keep people in work will sit opposite the chief executives of the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) and Oil & Gas UK and key southern North Sea operators, including Shell, Centrica, Graham Stewart (Faroe Petroleum) and Charlie Wood (Perenco)
MPs Peter Aldous (Waveney) and Brandon Lewis (Gt Yarmouth) will join the talks.
In Norfolk and Suffolk between April and November last year, 26 companies went into administration and more than 1,000 people lost their jobs – with predictions that more people are likely to be affected with reduced hours and unpaid leave as the current conditions continue to be challenging, with projects being pushed back.
Last month, the East of England was disappointed to be overlooked by the UK government when Prime Minister announced a £125 million city deal investment for Aberdeen to help it tackle the oil industry crisis.
Simon Gray, Chief Executive, EEEGR, said: “I am disappointed but not wholly surprised. But I have come to terms with the fact we are generally overlooked in favour of Aberdeen.”
The 350 EEEGR members comprise companies from across all main energy sectors (gas, oil and renewables and nuclear) – similar to the Scottish Energy Association.
Accordingly, its conference is being sponsored by Scottish Power Renewables and also features sessions on wind energy.
The 2016 UK Oil and Gas Collaboration Conference – Aberdeen 14 April
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