Oil & Gas Technology Centre opens in Aberdeen
An investment of £180million has been made
The £180 million Oil and Gas Technology Centre in Aberdeen has been officially opened.
Lord Dunlop, UK Government Minister for Scotland and Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy joined leaders from industry, universities and local councils at the launch event to hear how the Centre aims to become the go to for oil and gas technology in the UK and internationally.
It was partly funded by the Aberdeen City Deal.
University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University signed a memorandum of understanding with the centre for a multi-million pound joint venture to develop a Centre of Excellence for Field Life Extension and Decommissioning in Aberdeen.
It’ll encourage the innovation needed to maximise economic recovery, make sure that facilities are decommissioned efficiently and help the UK become a global leader in this growth market.
It’s hoped the Oil & Gas Technology Centre will help to unlock the full potential of the UK North Sea, and keep industry workers here in the North East.
The Facility plans to work with a wide range of partners to fast track technology that will make processes within the industry more efficient and productive – while providing a hub for the North Sea sector.
3D printing, photonics, virtual reality and robotics are just some of the technologies being looked into in order to boost the industry’s recovery from the downturn.
Right now, the centre’s working on cutting the cost of drilling wells and maintenance. Small pools are to be explored too, to make the most of the reserves still out there.
But bosses recognise decommissioning is going on in the sector – and plans to make it a big focus of their work. A trial’s already underway which could see a change in how wells are plugged and abandoned with the potential to save hundreds of millions of pounds.