Subsea UK Renews Call for Centre of Excellence
01 December 2007
Subsea UK is stepping up its efforts to create a global subsea centre of excellence in the UK with the publication and distribution of a glossy prospectus.
With over 30,000 people delivering over $6 billion annually of cutting edge technology solutions to the global oil and gas industry, the UKs subsea sector can justifiably claim to be the market leader. However, the body set up to champion the sector and promote it both at home and abroad believes that position is under threat from other countries.
Chief executive of Subsea UK, David Pridden, explains: In this time of unparalleled activity in the subsea sector, it is vital that the UK does not lose its dominant position in the manufacturing and service industry. We have seen tremendous growth over the last two years and must use the buoyancy in the marketplace to cement our lead in this industry. Other countries such as Brazil and Norway are investing heavily in programmes between industry, academia and government to deliver the next generation of technologies to unlock remaining reserves. We have to do the same.
We must continue to develop UK-based technologies and skills. A centre of excellence would ensure that we showcase our sector to attract the bright young minds of tomorrow and provide a platform for greater collaboration between industry, government and academia to facilitate the development of new, game changing technology.
Such a centre would ensure that we achieve our vision of being the dominant force in the global subsea sector with vibrant, technology-driven businesses generating revenues of $15 billion by 2015, employing the most talented, educated workforce in the world.
The prospectus has been designed to capture the imagination of industry, government, academia and financial institutions in a bid to raise funds to establish the centre.
In the document, Subsea UK states that the centre of excellence would comprise :
A showcase for subsea equipment and technology
A centre for co-ordination of research and development of novel subsea related technologies
A test house for new technologies
An incubator for subsea start-up companies
A subsea skills and training academy
For a copy of the prospectus please contact Subsea UK on 01224 355 355 or email info@subseauk.com
