North Sea groups rally to support Underwater Centre

May 16, 2018
The Underwater Centre in western Scotland has secured industry support to safeguard its future.

Offshore staff

FORT WILLIAM, UKThe Underwater Centre in western Scotland has secured industry support to safeguard its future.

Oil & Gas UK, Subsea 7, TechnipFMC, Premier Oil, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will jointly provide much of the assistance, and the centre will now operate as a not-for-profit company.

Senior representatives of Subsea 7, TechnipFMC, and Premier Oil will join the centre’s board.

The restructure will ensure the industry can continue underwater training and subsea equipment trials at the facility.

Oil & Gas UK chief executive Deirdre Michie said: “As we continue to move out of the downturn and adapt to a changing future, it’s increasingly important that the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry works together to consolidate areas of strength.”

David McGhie, the centre’s managing director, added: “The centre is of crucial importance to the North Sea industry as one of only two centres in Europe which provides closed bell diver training – a skill set which is vital to theNorth Sea sector.”

05/16/2018