Capturing the best of the industry

It is a hot topic: with the increasing world reliance on use of fossil fuels to meet energy demand, emissions are forecasted to reach levels that are unsustainable. For example, the IEA World Energy Outlook predicts (under its reference scenario) that emissions will have risen more than 55% by 2030 compared to today’s levels.

CO2 capture and geological storage is a major abatement option, with a potential to provide 20% of the total reduction needed to stay at the IPCC stabilisation levels. The oil and gas industry provides the leading source of expertise for subsurface injection of CO2, for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery or long-term storage.

SPE has a number of local programmes that run alongside its international presence. For example, the UK offices, based in London and Aberdeen, have a series of information-sharing events with monthly technical meetings and presentations, as well a seminars and conferences. The multidiscipline programme responds to the industry each year – for example, the London Section is holding a seminar in October on managing a career in a challenging job market and Aberdeen kicks off with a topical presentation, ‘Current Macro-economic Environment and Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Sector’.

But it is notable that the driver for all this is largely the willingness of individuals to share best-practice and information inside the industry.

Aberdeen section chair Jeb Tyrie says that he has been ‘astonished’ at the number of people in the local group who work away in their chosen committees without remuneration or reward, ‘other than the satisfaction of helping people.’

It is something he wants changed, so to give the members the recognition he feel these volunteers deserve, this year SPE is introducing the new cross-industry Aberdeen Section Awards. Some 30 of these will be presented at SPE Offshore Europe 2009, and to ensure the momentum is maintained, each recipient will be tasked with nominating five more candidates across the industry.