The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Degree in rig decommissioning launched
The UK’s first masters degree in decommissioning oil rigs and platforms has been launched by the University of Aberdeen in partnership with the city’s Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Both universities are developing a suite of joint masters degrees, and the new programme – thought to be the first of its kind in the world – will focus on the key aspects associated with decommissioning such as engineering, project management, business, law and health, and safety and environment.
The collapse in the global oil price and diminishing natural reserves have contributed to some platforms being retired sooner than anticipated, especially in the North Sea.
Professor Ekaterina Pavlovskaia from the Universityof Aberdeen’s school of engineering said: “The climate is right for us to launch this innovative masters degree in decommissioning to educate the current and future workforce in this important area of the oil and gas life cycle.
“Some may ask if this course signifies an acceptance that oil and gas is coming to an end in the North Sea but that is not the case.
“Safe and efficient decommissioning of these platforms will benefit the industry formany years to come,” added Prof Pavlovskaia.
The MSc programme is being developed in conjunction with industry experts and is expected to appeal to a broad range of applicants, from those already working in the oil industry to those wishing to upskill or retrain. The course is scheduled to begin in September 2017. Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal and vice-chancellor of RGU said: “It is increasingly clear that there is a need for offshore decommissioning in the North Sea, as many platforms approach the end of their operational life.
“Aberdeen is known for oil and gas expertise and it is important that we harness the opportunities presented by this trend, ensuring that there is a pool of trained talent available for the evolving needs of the industry,” added the principal.
Meanwhile, a new leadership programme for the oil and gas sector has kicked off this week in Aberdeenshire involving 19 people from both the supply chain and operators.
Strong industry demand means the Future Industry Leadership Programme will be delivered in two cohorts – the first running from September 27 to 30 followed by the second from October 3-6.
Organised by Scottish
“It’s important we harness the opportunities presented by this trend”
Enterprise and developed as part of the Energy Jobs Taskforce action plan, the programme looks to help address key challenges around leadership behaviours and shared principles and values.