NewsJ U N E 2 0 1 6

EEEGR Westminster receptionMembers’ invitation to House of Commons

Made in LowestoftFabrication company’s offshore wind success

Skills for EnergyAccess ex-military talent

EEEGR Platinum Sponsor:

This issue is sponsored by

02 – JUNE 2016

WELCOME

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has won a transport and installation contract for installation of Siemens 7MW turbines at the Hornsea Project One Offshore Wind Farm, developed by DONG Energy Wind Power, and the largest offshore wind farm ever built. About half the 174 turbines are expected to be installed under this contract. Head of commercial and projects Even Larsen said: “This is a very exciting project for us as it is the first large transport and installation project we will have worked on in the UK. Not only that, but it is our first project working with DONG Energy Wind Power.”

More than half a century since the gas industry began off the East of England, it maintains its place at the top of the UK’s energy mix. Bob Dudley, of BP, predicted the 21st century would be the age of gas with it surpassing oil to be the world’s number one fuel this century, providing sufficiency, security and sustainability. Soon, we will celebrate the first gas from the Cygnus field, the most significant gas find for 25 years, coming ashore via a new 50km export pipeline at Bacton, heralding yet another new era in the East of England’s gas industry heritage. Cygnus is expected to contribute 5% to UK gas production at its peak supplying gas from its 10 production wells to the equivalent of 1.5million homes in Britain. Gas will be the theme of the September edition of EEEGR News. Please send us your story (no more than 300 words) with a relevant image. To advertise your business across the energy industry, contact the EEEGR team.

Work has started at ABP Lowestoft Port on the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm. Forty personnel from the Galloper Windfarm Ltd (GWFL) and contractors will be based at the the offshore construction coordination base for the next two years while construction is under way. Toby Edmonds, project director for GWFL, said many positive spin-offs were expected for local businesses. “Our construction coordination base, with its excellent quay, office and laydown facilities will be a thriving hub of activity.” ABP short sea ports director, Andrew Harston said: “Working with the renewables industry has resulted in a multi-million investment into the local economy.”

EEEGR UPDATE03 ........ EEEGR Awards 2016.

OffshORE WiND fOCUs04 ........ Partnership brings new drone service.05 ........ Company launches offshore mine map.06-07 .. Made in Lowestoft jacket sails.

sNs201711 ......... Book now for SNS2017.

sNs2016 REviEW12-13 ... SNS highlights.

EEEGR MEMBERs14-15 ... Seajacks’ Scylla’s first project.

New contracts for IVB. Invitation to Westminster.

16-18 ... Welcome to new EEEGR members.New CIS managing director.

21 ........ New marine and subsea service. New business wins for MCM. Gee-Force partners with HTL.

skiLLs fOR ENERGy22-23 ... Star Lowestoft energy student.

UEA/SfE partnership’s awards recognition.

24-25 ... Platform of Opportunity. Dip into ex-military talent. Chris Claydon, ECITB CEO.

26-27 ... In the EEEGR office. Successful Membership Focus Group. Simon proud of top 100 accolade. Coming soon - EEEGR / SfE events.

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier wins first UK installation contract

Work starts on Galloper

Next issue: Gas

Contact

Contents June 2016

News

EEEGR (East of England Energy Group)

Editorial deadline is Friday July 29, 2016.Email: news@eeegr.com

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Visit our website for the latest energy stories and events, and to download this and previous versions of EEEGR News.

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front cover image: fred. Olsen Windcarrier's specialist jack-up vessels Brave Tern and Bold Tern installing turbines at the Global Tech i wind farm in the German North sea.

EEEGR’s mission is to be the source of new opportunities and knowledge to enable member companies to strategically grow their businesses.- See page 27

EEEGR's new mission statement

JUNE 2016 – 03

Milestone in wind power achieved

EEEGR UPDATE

How appropriate that this edition is focused on offshore wind when we have just marked an historic milestone with wind generating more electricity than coal in the UK for an entire month for the first time. Wind leapfrogged coal on the National Grid in April. Gas generated the most power, followed by nuclear then wind, interconnectors and coal. This puts the East of England, with all of the three main energy

sources topping the Government’s chosen mix for the future, at the forefront of UK energy production. Confidence in offshore wind has been demonstrated by developers’ announcements about their projects off the East of England. The construction of Galloper Offshore Wind Farm as begun and Dudgeon has secured £1.3bn long-term financing to fund the capital requirements of the farm, which means it can start commercial operations by the second half of 2017. We also celebrated UK content for Dudgeon with the completion and sail away of the jacket for the offshore substation designed and fabricated by Sembmarine SLP in Lowestoft. The company launched its campaign to win future projects for the wind farms to be built off our shores.

C Simon Gray, EEEGR CEO

We are planning an event focusing on the future of nuclear in October, by which time we hope for greater clarity on the Final Investment Decision (FID) for Hinkley Point, paving the way for Sizewell C. We are also anticipating the first gas from Cygnus flowing into Bacton. Gas will be the theme of our next issue. Finally, as times remain tough across our industry, can I remind any SMEs in the oil & gas sector looking for extra support to contact the Oil & Gas Taskforce. More than £300K of LEP and local authority financial support and package of measures is available to support struggling businesses and individuals in the sector. Contact 0300 333 6536 or email growthhub@newanglia.co.uk or visit the website www.newanglia.co.uk/oil-and-gas-business-support-scheme to find out more.

Nominations are open for this year’s EEEGR Awards at Norwich City Football Club on the 14th September, 2016. It will be EEEGR’s 13th annual awards designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements and developments across our member companies in the last year. At our 2015 event, competition was stiff with a record 15 finalists, across all categories. Overall winner and the unanimous choice of the six judges was HYTORC’s invention to prevent hand injuries among energy industry workers – a washer that took a decade to develop for safer, quicker and cost-saving torque operations. Like in its previous 12 awards events, the EEEGR Awards will reflect the quality, diversity and flexibility

of companies in the energy mix and highlight the importance of the East of England energy sector to the UK plc. Outstanding examples of collaboration, innovation, skills initiatives and cost reduction are sought for nominations for the competition, which seeks to reveal pioneering projects and ground-breaking technologies across the energy industry. In a Dragons’ Den style pitch, finalists will present to the audience and a judging panel. The audience and the judges will then cast their votes for the final results. The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner later that evening. The EEEGR Awards ceremony is an exciting opportunity to learn first-hand about the innovative projects in our region and to network with the expert audience throughout the day.

Categories are:

C The Innovation Award C The Cost Reduction and

Collaboration Award C The Best Energy Project Award C The Skills Initiative of the Year

2016 Award

Other awards will also be presented at the Gala Dinner at the Top of the Terrace. See our weekly e-shots for updates.

The overall EEEGR Award Winner will be selected by the judges.

To nominate and to book a place at the gala dinner, please visit www.eeegr.com/events.

NORFOLK LOUNGENorwich City Football Club14th September 20162016 AWARDS

& GALA DINNER

04 – JUNE 2016

OffshORE WiND

Eye For Business and EV form new partnership

Wind brings massive investment to ports

Vattenfall starts Norfolk’s largest offshore wind farm

Film and video production specialist Eye for Business has formed a new partnership to use drones to capture aerial footage and photography. Eye has partnered with Extreme Video (EV), suppliers of specialist innovative camera solutions, to enhance its offer of filming high quality visuals and its ability to tell a story in work for clients. Managing director, Charlie Gauvain, said: “This is an exciting new opportunity for us to work with a company already in touch with the needs of the energy industry and to work with them to provide solutions for our

The ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft will experience multi-million investment in infrastructure, jobs and training to service the construction and installation of offshore wind farms. Peel Ports Great Yarmouth will be the centre of Siemens’ assembly location and installation base for the 56-turbine Galloper Wind Farm, as well as the centre for construction and installation activities for ScottishPower Renewables East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm.

Vattenfall has begun development of Norfolk’s largest offshore wind farm – and chosen names associated with the county’s favorite son. Vanguard and Boreas, names of vessels commanded by Lord Nelson, have been chosen for the two farms.

C Janine GauvinC 01603 727750C janine@eyeforbusiness.co.uk

clients, whilst creating the opportunity to capture truly beautiful footage. “With the increase in use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their technical advances with the development of specialist software, we can also expand what we offer to include aerial inspections, survey, thermal imaging and UV filming, which can all offer cost savings in terms of personnel, health and safety and equipment downtime.” Drones for Wind Turbine Inspection, the report that analysed the global market for UAVs used for inspecting wind turbines, suggested that inspections could be carried

A multi-million pound co-investment in port infrastructure has been agreed to support the construction of primary infrastructure and groundworks for Galloper, including delivery of yard storage and marshalling, as well as the installation of heavy lift quay facilities. Up to £5million will also be co-invested in Great Yarmouth for the facility to support construction work for East Anglia ONE in 2018. ScottishPower Renewables chose the Port of Lowestoft for East Anglia ONE’s operations and maintenance base for the 30-plus year lifespan of the project. Lowestoft is also the offshore construction coordination base for Galloper.

In the latest announcement for Great Yarmouth, key components for Galloper - nacelles, blades, towers and electrical modules - will arrive at Great Yarmouth via the port, where they will be preassembled quayside before going offshore. Siemens is set to supply 56 six-megawatt turbines to the wind farm with the capacity to generate enough energy for up to 336,000 homes a year. They are expected to move on site next year and enabling work is already underway. ABP port in Lowestoft will be the overall construction support base for Galloper, which will also be the construction support base for East Anglia One and Operations and Maintenance for East Anglia ONE.

out using commercial drones piloted by professional operators, with the results having a much higher degree of resolution than is possible from the ground, he said.“We believe that this is the way forward.” For the inaugural outing, Eye cameraman Max spent a day working with EV drone pilot Gary at Great Yarmouth Harbour capturing footage of the harbour and the vessels. Following this, Seajacks commissioned Eye to shoot footage of Scylla as it jacked up in the harbour, before it left to begin work on Veja Mete wind farm.

Norfolk Vanguard, which the Swedish company has started to develop, has a target capacity of 1.8GW and would generate enough power to meet the annual needs of more than 1.3 million UK households. Ruari Lean, Norfolk Vanguard project manager, said: “Vattenfall wants to work with Norfolk to capture the benefits of offshore wind. There is an opportunity for Norfolk business to secure Norfolk jobs. There is also an opportunity to make a telling impact in the UK’s contribution to tackling climate change.”

Andy Paine, Vattenfall’s project director for Norfolk Vanguard and head of UK offshore wind, said: “As the industry grows costs will fall; that’s why offshore wind has a great future in the UK. An industry is emerging in Norfolk and we are convinced that the region is well placed to secure an even bigger role in the sector.” Vattenfall has also agreed with The Crown Estate to develop Norfolk Boreas, also with a target capacity of 1.8GW. The development of Norfolk Boreas will start in 2017.

Drone ready for take off

JUNE 2016 – 05

Pioneering offshore mine risk map

ODE completes Dudgeon contract

The location of unexploded ordnance around the UK coastline is revealed in a revolutionary online map designed to aid the developers of offshore energy projects.

Great Yarmouth-based ODE (Offshore Design Engineering Ltd) has completed a marine pontoon system for the Dudgeon Windfarm operator Statoil. The state-of-the-art pontoon system with craneage situated alongside Statoil’s new building will service the Dudgeon project. The contract, worth about £500k to ODE, was a “great contract” for the company and another justification for its divergence into offshore wind almost 15 years ago, when it was the lead project management company of Scroby Sands, ODE business development manager Gary Williams said.

C Lee GooderhamC 01502 509345 / 01379 871444C lee.gooderham@ordtek.comC www.ordtek.com

C Gary WilliamsC 01493 845100 / 07776 769762C gary.williams@ode-ltd.co.uk

The interactive risk map shares vital data about areas mined by the British and Germans during the wars, plus unexploded ordnance (UXO) from military armament training and munitions dumping. The Mine Map is the brainchild of Ordtek, which has offices in Eye, Suffolk, and at OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft, and is proving to be an invaluable tool for wind farm developers. Ordtek is doing risk assessment at the world's biggest wind farm site at Hornsea, off Hull, and ongoing safety support at the Race Bank site off North Norfolk, where they found 41 unexploded items ranging from small

rockets to 1,000lb high-explosive bombs. Ordtek director Lee Gooderham said: “We have been working all over Europe and thought it was a good idea to share data about offshore unexploded ordnance to help developers. The Mine Map is revolutionary in the industry.” The map, which took three years to develop, was helping offshore wind farm developers to understand UXO hazards when making initial tender bids and allowing vessel operators to gauge levels of potential unexploded ordnance and work out how much it might cost to dispose of it, he said. Once UXO is confirmed – often using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and divers - the details are passed to military and civilian bomb disposal experts for clearance. Mr Gooderham said the Mine Map was already proving popular, and it was planned to roll it out across European waters. Ordtek has recently been appointed by subsea services provider N-Sea to do UXO work at the £1.5 billion Galloper site 17 miles off Suffolk, which Mr Gooderham described a “significant project” for the company. See the risk map at www.ordtek.com/mine-map/.

Lee Gooderham

The Mine Map

ODE's state-of-the-art

pontoon system

“Since then, ODE has been involved in some way with just about every major offshore windfarm project in UK waters. ODE has been operating and providing engineering and technical services to the oil, gas and now the renewables sectors for 40 years and as the UK part of the Doris Group, which has been doing the same for 50 years.” The latest contract entailed the fabrication and installation of concrete pontoons anchored by new pilings into the river, with utility services, a specially designed crane for loading vessels and an easy access to an all-weather walkway for vessel crews and technicians. Extensive surveys were carried out to ensure piling activities did not interfere with pipes and cables that run East to West under the River Yare providing essential utility services to households and business. Fred Simeons, ODE’s project manager, said: “We have taken great care to ensure there will be no untoward impact on the local area or the environment.”

The pontoons will sit alongside berths 9 and 10 and will stretch for 50m. “ODE is committed to offshore wind and see this industry as a significant part of the future business strategy,” said Mr. Williams.

06 – JUNE 2016

Campaign for next Made in Lowestoft project launchedThe UK’s only fabrication yard in the Southern North Sea is calling on the East of England energy industry to work together to help it win future major offshore fabrication projects. Celebrating the completion of the jacket for the offshore substation for the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm, Paul Thomson, managing director of Sembmarine SLP, said the company had already started the tender process for the East Anglia ONE substation. “It is called the East Anglia field, we are in East Anglia, we have East Anglian solutions and I am looking for your support. How can we win that together?” he asked more than 130 people gathered at OrbisEnergy to mark the milestone in its latest Made in Lowestoft project. The fast-developing offshore wind farm industry off the East of England offered huge opportunities for the local workforce and economy for many years to come, he said.

“We want more projects going forward and continue to attract investment to make sure we have a workforce for the future. “What has the local industry got that we could offer a different approach? New technologies, different ways of doing things, how can we be more cost efficient? It is our future we are looking at. “We are looking at fields that will be developed over the next 10 years. We need to be very commercially-minded and cost efficient in what we do.” Sembmarine SLP is working with Waveney MP Peter Aldous, who is lobbying government, councils and the industry to work together to keep future fabrication projects in the region. Delegates at the event at OrbisEnergy walked to the nearby quayside to view the giant yellow jacket loaded on to a barge ready for its sailaway to the £1.5bn wind farm on May 11th.

“ ThE ROLE Of OffshORE WiND iN ThE LOCAL ECONOMy shOULD BE AT ThE fOREfRONT Of DRiviNG ThE ECONOMy REGiONALLy, DRiviNG iNWARD iNvEsTMENT, sECURiNG JOBs AND CREATiNG NEW JOBs. ”

- MP Peter Aldous

OffshORE WiND

Mr Aldous said: “The challenge is for us to help Sembmarine SLP get these contracts to generate the investment into that yard and move forward with contracts to open up employment opportunities and help move industry down the supply chain. “The role of offshore wind in the local economy should be at the forefront of driving the economy regionally, driving inward investment, securing jobs and creating new jobs. The cascade effect in the wider economy is felt in hotels, shops, pubs.”

Top: Paul Thomson, managing director of

Sembmarine SLP, talking at OrbisEnergy.

Above: Sembmarine SLP’s supply chain, from

welding supplies to hotels directly supports

the jobs of hundreds of people.

SLP suppliers

JUNE 2016 – 07

The substation project

An outstanding record and reputation

The 1700-tonne substation is designed to stand in the sea for at least 25 years, sending electricity via cables from Dudgeon’s 67 wind turbines to the onshore substation at Necton, near Swaffham. The 1500-tonne jacket is sunk into the seabed using suction bucket technology, the first time it has been used in UK waters. The four suction buckets, weighing about 110t each, were welded on to the jacket in the Lowestoft yard. The jacket has two boat landing platforms and an integrated 20m x 20m cable deck. The four-deck topside is currently under completion at the yard to be lifted on to the jacket in August. The project started in September 2014 and involved a 240-strong workforce and 850,000 work hours.

Sembmarine SLP has more than 40 years’ experience in manufacturing offshore structures with a portfolio of more than 90 structures in seas worldwide. The company is held in high esteem regionally, nationally and internationally, Mr Aldous said. “Sembmarine SLP has an enormously high reputation for delivering on time, with good staff relations with safety paramount.” It is known for its innovative and cost-effective solutions, with an enviable record of repeat business and is a key employer, skills provider and buyer across the region. Simon Gray, chief executive of EEEGR, which staged the event for its member company, said: “If we can guarantee a pipeline of work, there will be a great future for the workforce at Sembmarine SLP.”

Above and right: The offshore substation jacket dominated the Lowestoft

port skyline before sail away on May 11th. Images www.chpv.co.uk

“ It is an exciting time in the wind industry as turbines get bigger and further from shore. The upgrades have been successfully completed and we are now ready to handle these latest generation turbines. ”

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier prepares for the next generation of offshore wind farms

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s jack-up installation vessel Brave Tern has been successfully upgraded to meet the increasing size of offshore wind turbines. The modifications were executed at Franklin Offshore, in Rotterdam, by Franklin Offshore and SRC Group AS. The upgrades include extending the jacking legs by 14m, making the legs 92.4m long. The cranes will also be prepared for a boom extension of up to 20m. This will include both an insert piece for the crane boom and an extension of the A-frame. The lifting height will become 120m from the main deck. Since having the upgrades, Brave Tern has worked on a number of fast track O&M projects in the North Sea. “It is an exciting time in the wind industry as turbines get bigger and further from shore. The upgrades have been successfully

completed and we are now ready to handle these latest generation turbines,” said Even Larsen, Head of Commercial and Projects. Sister vessel, Bold Tern, will undertake the same upgrades over the summer months. With the upgrades in place, the two Tern Class vessels will be capable of transporting 4 complete ‘multi MW’ turbines with full towers throughout the year in water depths of up to 55m – up to 60m in the summer. Fred. Olsen Windcarrier have already won a number of contracts for the coming years, including Block Island, the first US offshore wind farm, Wikinger, Veja Mate and Hohe See.

C David Matthews, General Manager UKC +44 (0) 1502 509372C david.matthews@fredolsen.comC www.windcarrier.com

www.windcarrier.com

ENGINEERED • MANAGED • DELIVERED

LARGECOMPONENTEXCHANGE

10 – JUNE 2016

JUNE 2016 – 11

THE SEA OFOPPORTUNITY

SNS2017

The Offshore Energy Conference & Exhibition1st and 2nd March 2017Norfolk Showground, Norwich

sNs2017

EEEGR’s flagship conference and exhibition SNS2017 is taking shape with planning well under way after a record turnout at SNS2016. More than 700 people attended the two-day annual event at the Norfolk Showground where a programme of top industry speakers issued key messages from the conference stage and more than 60 businesses set up stands in the exhibition hall. Interest in bookings for next year’s exhibition is already high from companies who reported brisk business, new contacts and encouraging business leads this year. Conference delegates learned about future opportunities in oil & gas, offshore wind and nuclear. Delegates said the

SNS2017 plans under way after record 2016

programme’s themes and speaker content helped support their business planning. The Gala Dinner, with guest speaker Jonathan Cole, offshore managing director of ScottishPower Renewables, had record bookings of more than 270. Marie-Luise Wilhelm, EEEGR’s commercial and communications manager, said the exhibition would remain free-to-attend for SNS2017. “We have had some very positive feedback from exhibitors keen to return next year. We are delighted to be able to offer free entry to our exhibition at a time when the industry is having a difficult time and seizing every opportunity to make new contacts and explore new business opportunities is vital.” “The message is to talk to us about next year and start planning now. We will be making announcements about speakers and features throughout the year.”

“ WE hAvE hAD sOME vERy POsiTivE fEEDBACk fROM EXhiBiTORs kEEN TO RETURN NEXT yEAR. WE ARE DELiGhTED TO BE ABLE TO OffER fREE ENTRy TO OUR EXhiBiTiON ”

The Energy Challenge

Interactive stands

Top speaker line-up

Industry relevant presentations and

discussions

To book now for SNS2017 contact the EEEGR team on 01493 412199 or www.eeegr.com

12 – JUNE 2016

sNs2016 REviEW

SNS2016 highlightsSNS2016’s top speaker line-up included Deirdre Michie, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, Andy Samuel, chief executive of the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA), Jim Crawford, station director of Sizewell, EDF, Julian Brown, chairman of Renewable UK and Jonathan Cole, offshore managing director of ScottishPower Renewables.

Event highlights included:

Jonathan Cole, offshore managing director

of ScottishPower Renewables, EEEGR’s

Platinum Sponsor

Martin Dronfield,

business development

director of James

Fisher Group

Simon Gray, EEEGR CEO, and Deidre

Michie, CEO of Oil & Gas UK, sign a

Memorandum of Co-operation

An Oil & Gas panel Q&A. L to R: Andy Samuel, CEO Oil & Gas Authority, Graham Stewart, Faroe Petroleum, Charlie Woods, Perenco, Simon Gray, CEO EEEGR and Peter Aldous MP.

ScottishPower Renewables announced that the Port of Great Yarmouth had been selected as the construction base for the East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm project with a £5m investment during the construction phase of the East Anglia ONE project expected to begin in summer of 2018.

A Memorandum of Co-operation was signed between EEEGR and Oil & Gas UK to recognise the East of England’s contribution to the nation’s energy mix. Deirdre Michie, Oil & Gas UK CEO, signed the MOU with Simon Gray, EEEGR CEO. Ms Michie said: “I do recognise we have a really strong role to play to reinforce the visibility and contribution this region makes to the industry.” The industry body will have a hot desk at EEEGR's Great Yarmouth office. EEEGR will now have a presence in Aberdeen and London.

James Fisher Group announced more than 100 new jobs at Lowestoft for its £25m contract to support construction of offshore wind farm Galloper. Martin Dronfield, business development director, invited supply chain companies to get in touch with him. “The skills locally have pleasantly surprised us. There is a lot of trust and belief being invested in the skills in the area. There is a great deal more than money going on in the emergence of the renewable sector down the east energy coast.”

JUNE 2016 – 13

Roundtable talks focus on effect of world oil price crisis in the SNSIndustry leaders from Aberdeen and London sat down with EEEGR members to hear about the real impact of the oil price crisis on business in the East of England. The roundtable, organised by EEEGR, brought together East of England business leaders with industry leaders, Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, who chairs the all-party group on offshore oil and gas in Westminster and Mark Pendlington, chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for frank talks. Simon Gray, EEEGR chief executive, said the members appreciated the opportunity to be candid about business offshore during the oil price crisis and prospects. “The East of England is recognised as playing a leading role in powering and heating the UK, demonstrated by the commitment of key leaders across the industry who made it a priority to come to meet the business people working hard in the East of England energy industry. “They listened to our members’ concerns for the future and discussed the way forward in productive talks.”

Andy Samuel, chief executive of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), said there was “no scenario” in which gas wasn’t a vital part of the energy mix moving forward. “There’s a lot still to play for” in the Southern North Sea. The East of England and Great Yarmouth had a ‘golden opportunity” to be the world-class centre of excellence for decommissioning in the Southern North Sea, delegates were told. Mr. Samuel said: “We would love to see the UK and East Anglia grab this opportunity to become the first to prove it can be done efficiently.” Julian Manning, chair of EEEGR's Decommissioning SIG, said: “If we do this right, we can take it to be world class and be the centre of excellence, not just in the SNS, but for shallow water decommissioning in the Netherlands, Denmark and beyond. “The UK SNS is an ideal trialing ground for decommissioning in the sense that it is gas, has easier to handle infrastructure, and much more accessible for companies to collaborate and campaign.”

Students with career plans to work in the offshore industry battled out their knowledge to be crowned winners in a University Challenge-style quiz at SNS2016. Students on the Energy Skills Foundation Programme (ESFP) at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft colleges and the University of East Anglia answered quick-fire questions about the energy industry in the second year of the popular conference feature. Lowestoft College students won the challenge with 32 points and were presented with an award by Chris Claydon, chief executive of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

Energy Challenge winners Lowestoft College

Andy Samuel, chief executive of the

Oil and Gas Authority (OGA)

Roundtable talks

14 – JUNE 2016

Seajacks’ Scylla’s first project

New work in the Middle East and North Africa, contract extensions and repeat business has given an inspection and verification company a busy start to 2016. Inspection Verification Bureau (IVB) was also named Company of the Month for industry publication Industrial Process News. IVB’s new Aberdeen office, opened at the end of 2015, has picked up new business contributing to a brisk first quarter for the Great Yarmouth-based company. The company carried out more inspections in the second half of March than in all of January and February, with an even busier April. Winning approval and accreditation for its inspection and verification services for the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations (ADCO), part of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),

The world's largest self-propelled jack-up installation vessel, Seajacks Scylla, was mobilised straight to its first project in the German North Sea after its naming ceremony. The $250m ship is installing all 67 XL monopiles on Highland Group’s 400MW Veja Mata offshore wind project. Some of the monopiles are up to 85 metres in length and weigh over 1,300 tonnes. The 23,000-tonne Scylla will be joined in June by Seajacks Zaratan, selected as the installation vessel for the transition pieces. Next year, after successful completion of the Veja Mate, Scylla has been chartered by DONG Energy for installation of turbines at the Walney Extension. Walney will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world with both Siemens 7MW and MHI Vestas 8MW turbines. Scylla’s deck space will allow for her to install up to 7x 7MW turbines each transportation cycle.

means it is also approved by all the Abu Dhabi energy companies, including Abu Dhabi Gas Industries (GASCO), Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) and Zakum Development Company (ZADCO). IVB director Derek Lockwood said IVB’s competitive rates and reputation for outstanding service were keys to its success. “IVB has become an internationally-recognised brand with its strong network of industry professionals operating across the world.” “We have had two of our contracts in North Africa extended and one in Libya with Mellitah Oil & Gas. “We have also had an extension on our contract in Egypt which includes a new additional project. We are working on these projects closely with our associates in Egypt. “A lot of our work is coming out of Abu Dhabi and Dubai as the Middle East and North Africa are still investing and developing.” Opening an office in Aberdeen last year had been a “really good move,” he said. “We still have clients in South Korea and clients in India coming to us and we are doing inspection work in the US for Middle Eastern companies.”

EEEGR MEMBERs

The ship had the traditional bottle of champagne smashed on its hull by its godmother Akiko Inoue, wife of the chairman of Seajacks, Soichi Inoue, in front of 400 guests. Blair Ainslie, Seajacks CEO, said: “I hope that today offers some small showcase to demonstrate to the rest of the world just what Seajacks has to offer here.” For further information, please contact Max Paterson.

C Max Paterson C 01493 841400C Max.Paterson@seajacks.com C www.seajacks.com

Seajacks Scylla

Blair Ainslie,

Seajacks CEO

Wind turbine workers need specialist medicals

Employers must ensure technicians working on wind turbines must have the specialist Renewable UK medical and not the Oil & Gas (OGUK) medical, a consultant occupational physician warned. Dr C K Hari Krishnan said requests were still made for the oil & gas medical. “Working on wind turbines presents a number of physical and psychological challenges,” he said, including exertion, working in hot and cold adverse conditions as well as in confined spaces and also demanding agility. “Good cardiorespiratory physical fitness is necessary for the climbing aspect of work on wind turbine towers. In addition to the medical assessment, an exercise test is used to assess the physical fitness. “Therefore, Renewable UK medical, which incorporates exercise tests is the appropriate medical for wind turbine workers.”

C Dr C K Hari KrishnanC 01493 601770 / 07414 520820C harikrishnanck@hotmail.com

C Derek Lockwood C 01493 412180C derek.lockwood@ivbltd.co.ukC www.ivbltd.co.uk

New contracts and repeat business mean busy time for IVB

JUNE 2016 – 15

C Marie-Luise Wilhelm C 01493 412199C marie.wilhelm@eeegr.com

C Johnathan Reynolds C 01502 563368C SCORE@orbisenergy.co.uk

Your invitation to Westminster

Bigger grant pot to help innovation

EEEGR will be holding its annual House of Commons reception on October 19th in the Members’ Dining Room. The event will be hosted by Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis. Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd is expected to speak. The occasion will bring together about 200 representatives from the East of England’s energy sector with key politicians to reinforce the region’s key role in contributing to Britain’s economy. Simon Gray, EEEGR’s chief executive said: “It is crucial that the government recognises and understands the importance

A £6m funding pot has been launched to help businesses develop new ideas, technologies and innovative solutions for East Anglia's buoyant offshore renewable energy industry.

that the East of England plays in the UK plc in keeping the country energised.” “We have one of the UK’s major gas plants at Bacton, a nuclear pedigree with Sizewell B and potential new-build at Sizewell C and Bradwell and a fast growing renewable sector, in particular with our background in offshore wind with Scroby sands, the London Array, Greater Gabbard, Sheringham Shoal and evolving developments including East Anglia One, Dudgeon and Galloper, as well as further developments to come after East Anglia One with both ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall.” The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has said that she will attend and speak at the reception where members will be able to find out about continued government investment in the East of England. EEEGR also plans to discuss with politicians what more could be done to continue the work with the government to ensure that the energy industry’s fiscal regime

signals to global investors that the East of England is open for business, Mr Gray said. EEEGR’s Platinum Sponsor ScottishPower Renewables is supporting the event. The reception will be between 16.30-18.30. EEEGR is preparing its marketing campaign for the event. If you are interested in attending to meet ministers and MPs and network in one of the most iconic and historic buildings in the world, please contact Marie-Luise Wilhelm at marie.wilhelm@eeegr.com.

The first 100 delegate places are now available for registration. Members £50 / Non-members £100 Please visit www.eeegr.com/events

Left: Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and

Skills Sajid Javid (front right) meeting EEEGR members

at last year’s EEEGR Westminster reception.

Inset: EEEGR CEO Simon Gray, centre, with Great

Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis, left, and Sajid Javid.

Johnathan

Reynolds

The scheme, backed by European cash, will support innovation in small and medium sized ventures across Norfolk, Suffolk, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Essex. The SCORE fund, which is more than double the size of the previous £2.5m scheme, has the potential to help 200 companies and create 100 new jobs. The previous SCORE fund invested in 40 innovative projects, supporting more than 50 companies and created 70 new jobs. The project has been developed by OrbisEnergy, the region’s flagship innovation and incubation centre for offshore renewables. SCORE is a partnership involving enterprise specialists Nwes; energy industry advisory firm, Nautilus Associates; and the innovation and research team at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult centre. Johnathan Reynolds, business development lead at Lowestoft-based OrbisEnergy, which is managing the grant fund, said: “World-leading expertise and

technology here in the East is shaping the future of the industry. “Our SCORE grants will help local companies bring fresh ideas and new technologies which can further reduce the cost of developing offshore wind and ensure the longer-term role that this vital industry will play in securing our future energy needs.” SMEs were incredibly innovative but often had limited resources. SCORE aimed to encourage them to develop new products and services, get them to market and make new contacts, leading to profitable contracts. SCORE grants - made available from the European Regional Development Fund - have helped companies with schemes ranging from recycled tyre mats to reduce seabed scour and inflatable sleeves to weatherproof turbine blade maintenance to developing special rigger gloves and seabed mapping systems. Grants range from £2,500 to £50,000 covering up to 40pc of eligible costs.

16 – JUNE 2016

EEEGR MEMBERs

Welcome to EEEGR’s new members

It’s a great pleasure to welcome more than 60 new members to EEEGR. A wide variety of companies from across the energy supply chain have joined, with new enquiries coming in regularly. I have been out on the road visiting members since I took up post and hope to meet many more of you soon. Any members seeking a meeting or if you’re a company considering joining EEEGR, please contact me.

C Abacus FMECAbacus FMEC distributes Hydromx®, which saves up to 35% of energy costs in closed heating and cooling water circuits with a payback within three years.

C AFS LtdAFS Ltd is an independently-owned manufacturing company, providing high quality fabrication, offshore services and labour supply, on a global basis to the oil and gas, renewable, nuclear and maritime industries.

C AID Consultancy LtdExpert consultants who provide independent health & safety, work at height and rescue, rope access and risk management services to small, medium and large organisations internationally.

C Ampelmann Operations B.V.The unique Ampelmann systems with fully motion-compensating gangways allow safe, efficient and reliable transfers of personnel and cargo from vessels to all fixed and floating structures at sea.

C Ashcroft Instruments LtdAshcroft Instruments are a global manufacturer of pressure and temperature instrumentation, making pressure gauges, switches, diaphragm seals/instrument isolators and thermometers.

C Ashwell Commercial ManagementSpecialising in SME’s, ACM provides practical, cost-effective contracts/commercial management, contract review/creation and negotiation, business procedures, plans and cash flow creation.

C ATI Tank Hire LtdEstablished for over 30 years, our experience of hiring out tanks and silos means we will have a specifically adapted solution for your materials storage needs.

C CostainEngineering solutions provider Costain operates in energy, water and transportation, offering innovative engineering and technology-led solutions to meet the needs of customers.

C Dudgeon Offshore Wind LtdThe Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm is a £1.5 billion project to harness offshore wind to power more than 410,000 UK homes. This 402MW wind farm will be located 20 miles off Cromer in North Norfolk.

C Energy Business Catalyst LtdEBC offers specialist leadership support to the boards of SMEs in the oil & gas and offshore wind sectors and helps private equity investors evaluate businesses in those sectors.

C EnerMech LtdEnerMech provides mechanical services to the energy industry. Our Great Yarmouth operations include cranes, lifting, pipeline, process, hydraulics, valves and industrial services on and offshore.

C Fugro GeoConsulting LimitedFugro is the world leader in collecting, processing and analysing data from the Earth, atmosphere and oceans in support of energy and infrastructure developments.

C Funnells LtdFunnells Catering was founded in 2002 by Nick Phillips providing bespoke handmade catering using free range local ingredients and trusted suppliers. Clients include EEEGR, NWES, NHS, Essex & Suffolk Water, Peel Ports Great Yarmouth and Perenco Oil & Gas.

C FurtherMore MarketingFurtherMore Marketing is an innovative marketing company combining expert strategic thinking with creative design and solutions across both the public and private sectors.

C GAC Shipping (UK) LimitedGAC Group is a leading provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services for the oil & gas, renewable energy, project logistics and related sectors.

C Galloper Wind Farm LtdGalloper offshore wind farm is a joint equity partnership of 25% each between RWE Innogy, UK Green Investment Bank, Siemens Financial Services and Macquarie Capital.

C Global Marine Systems LimitedGlobal Marine Systems Limited is a marine engineering company with an extensive track-record of installing and maintaining complex subsea cable projects. It is an established player in offshore renewables, having installed cabling at numerous European offshore wind farms.

C Hayward MillerHayward Miller provide sales resource and market research services. We identify new opportunities for our clients, and help them to diversify into new markets.

C Claire Daniels, EEEGR membership championC 01493 412192 / 07879 697710C claire.daniels@eeegr.com

JUNE 2016 – 17

C Peli Products (UK) Ltd.Peli watertight, crushproof cases are essential protection for vital equipment and tools in tough, marine environments. Peli's powerful LED lights for maintenance tasks are portable, rechargeable and silent running.

C PIM Ltd (Plant Integrity Management)Plant Integrity Management Ltd was established in 2011 to provide consultancy and strategic management support for their clients - helping them manage the function and integrity of their critical plant and equipment.

C Prisma Components LtdSince 1993 Prisma Components has been the UK's leading supplier of electrical transmission and distribution fittings, equipment and tools and is firmly established in all major aspects of the electrical transmission and distribution industry.

C Rix Shipping LtdRix have five generations of shipping experience spanning more than 145 years. We own and operate five CTV’s designed and built to the highest technical specification for safe transfer of personnel 24/7 to offshore windfarms.

C SLR Consulting LtdSLR Consulting is an independent global environmental and advisory consultancy providing multidisciplinary advice on a range of strategic and project issues within the energy sector.

C Seahorse Guest HouseA great Norfolk welcome awaits EEEGR members, staff and customers at this award-winning, 3-star guest house in Great Yarmouth.

C SMS (Specialised Management Services) LtdSMS specialises in the design and manufacture of an extensive range of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical equipment along with onshore and offshore support services.

C StorkAs a global leader in fully-integrated asset integrity management services, Stork is committed to delivering safe and innovative solutions in the Southern North Sea, direct from Lowestoft.

C Tech Safe Systems LtdTech Safe Systems Ltd supply a range of marine, offshore oil & gas and renewable energy equipment from its base in Great Yarmouth.

C HexCam Ltd.HexCam supplies aerial imagery services and drone training. HexCam can provide thermal, visual and multi-spectral imagery as well as consultancy, equipment and drone flight training.

C James Fisher Marine ServicesJames Fisher Marine Services provides a comprehensive range of specialist marine subsea and topside services to support its energy sector clients’ projects and operations.

C Mactech Inspection LimitedMactech is an expert supplier of construction, inspection, quality and engineering personnel and project teams to the energy sectors worldwide.

C Maris SubseaMaris Subsea is a leading supplier of high quality, specialist Subsea-orientated personnel to the oil and gas, subsea and renewables markets on a world-wide basis.

C Morson InternationalMorson International is a global recruitment specialist for the engineering industry, and is the UK’s No.1 Technical Recruiter, delivering personnel across all sectors.

C Morten Technical Services Ltd.Morten Technical Services Ltd. provides a consultancy service for off-grid photo voltaic power supply systems including working with clients to minimise equipment power consumption and selection of the PV modules, batteries and associated equipment.

C MPI Offshore LtdMPI is active in the offshore renewable market with a range of vessels and services. Our vessels are second to none and have been developed to deliver integrated solutions for the offshore industry.

C N-Sea Offshore LimitedBased in UK and the Netherlands, N-Sea are a long-established provider of subsea IMR, survey and UXO services, delivered using our own DP2 vessels, dive spreads and ROVs.

C OSBIT LimitedWe deliver quality, cost-effective engineering services that are ‘On Spec, Budget and In Time. As well as designing and making our range of MaXccess offshore access systems, we are specialists in bespoke projects in a range of sectors.

C P&S Personnel Services LimitedP&S Personnel Services is a specialist agency supplying local talent to the renewables, engineering, marine, oil and gas, warehouse, industrial, logistics, agricultural, and food industries. New members continued

18 – JUNE 2016

C thinkthink is Scotland’s largest independent PR, marketing and design agency based in Aberdeen. We expanded in early 2016 with a local base in Great Yarmouth and Norwich, representing the East of England.

C Universal Foundation A/SUniversal Foundation, a Fred. Olsen related company, is an offshore foundation company responsible for bringing the Mono Bucket to the offshore wind industry.

C Vattenfall Windpower LtdVattenfall is a Swedish, state-owned, energy company which develops, builds and operates onshore and offshore wind farms around the UK.

C VeoliaVeolia is a leading decommissioning contractor with unparalleled experience in compliance, reuse and specialist expertise in engineering solutions for end of life assets.

C Well Services GroupThe Well Services Group operates globally and provides high-quality, capital-intensive services to the international oil and gas industry, the petrochemical and geothermal industry, onshore and offshore.

C Women's Energy NetworkA business networking group working to encourage equality, diversion and inclusion in the energy sector by supporting entry, retention, development and progression throughout the workforce.

C ZYTECH Subsea CablesZYTECH is Tony Zymelka. Considered by many to be an “authority” on cables, Tony offers almost 40 years of professional cable focused management experience.

EEEGR MEMBERs

Welcome to EEEGR’s new members

New managing director of CIS Group

Conductor Installation Services Ltd (CIS) has promoted James Chadd to managing director as Andy Penman retires 11 years after founding the company. Mr Chadd was group technical sales manager for eight years. Mr Penman, who had worked with Mr Chadd since setting up the company in 2005, said: “I am extremely confident that he will continue to build upon CIS’s solid track record of achievement and service excellence.” “In addition to his valuable skill set and in-depth knowledge of the global conductor and pile installation industry, his commitment to the growth and development of CIS makes him the ideal choice for this leadership position.” Mr Chadd takes over responsibiity for overseeing the fulfilment of all strategic initiatives, as well as driving day-to-day execution of business globally of the Acteon company that provides hammer services to install conductors and drive piles. As group technical sales manager for the past eight years, he carried out business development and technical sales outreach in Europe, Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Previously, he worked as offshore conductor installation supervisor before being promoted to the post of technical sales engineer in 2006. Before joining CIS, Chadd worked for BJ Tubular Services.

C James Chadd, managing director C +44 (0)1493 417570, C james.chadd@c-i-services.com C www.c-i-services.com James Chadd

JUNE 2016 – 19

ADvERTORiAL

20 – JUNE 2016

JUNE 2016 – 21

EEEGR MEMBERs

Expansion into marine and subsea services

An offshore engineering company has expanded into marine and subsea services for oil, gas and renewables after appointing a new business development manager. EPIC International is picking up new clients with potential contracts in the pipeline after Tonia Weldon, who has more than 25 years’ offshore industry experience, mostly in marine and subsea, joined the Great Yarmouth-based company. Managing director Dave Rowan said the quiet time in the North Sea had given the company “breathing space” to look at new opportunities. “Appointing Tonia was an opportunity we couldn’t miss and one that offered us valuable services that complements our original portfolio. It made perfect sense and is already working with real interest being shown in our new services and enquiries about new contracts coming in thick and fast.” EPIC International’s latest expansion builds on the company’s growth last autumn when it took on well services manager Billy Robinson when US company Cameron pulled out of Great Yarmouth.

C Tonia WeldonC 01493 660460 / 07854 913493C tonia.weldon@epic-ltd.com

C Bruce Holcombe C 07714 572620C bruceholcombe@mcmcrisis.comC www.mcmcrisis.com

Tonia Weldon

EPIC’s office-based staff has swelled by 15 per cent as the business has taken advantage of new opportunities, Mr Rowan said. “Tonia and Billy are valuable additions to the team because they bring complementary expertise and contacts, allowing us to expand our services at what is a difficult time for everyone in the industry. “The current situation in the industry has given us time to look at the market we operate in and investigate different opportunities - something we would not normally do if we were busy with a high oil price. “Tonia’s knowledge of subsea and ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) is extensive. Her knowledge of marine is impressive.”

New business wins for MCM

Energy industry emergency response specialist MCM Ltd has expanded its National Response Network in support of new contracts from the offshore wind, engineering and oil and gas sectors. Focussed primarily on its 24/7/365 rapid response personnel services, MCM has seen a 10% increase in its Response Network. New response teams have been set up in the Highlands of Scotland, Central Scotland and the South West. These join the existing Response Network, which has response teams in Humberside, East Anglia, the North West, London, the South Coast and Zeebrugge. Support to the response teams and central response services, including full incident management and two dedicated call centres, for relatives and media, are provided from MCM’s £500,000 facilities at

its Response House headquarters next to Norwich International Airport. New contracts include one to provide nationwide evacuee support and relative response services to a global leader in the offshore wind and engineering industry. Matthew Sharp, managing director, said: “There is a developing industry focus on the safety of workers constructing and maintaining offshore wind farms. These developments in our network enable us to provide support both to them and to clients across other sectors. For many operators with facilities across the UK, MCM can now offer robust, flexible and sustainable support, with the ability to maximise value through national contracts.”

MCM’s National

Response

Network

Gee-Force partners with HTL

Gee-Force Hydraulics is partnering with industry leader HTL to boost equipment hire and training capabilities to East Anglia and the South East. Specialist supplier of controlled bolting and flange working equipment Gee-Force’s already-established facility in Great Yarmouth and HTL’s extensive rental fleet and training portfolio, the partnership is a natural step for both companies. It provides a supply of hire equipment and training capabilities to industry in an area of the country historically poorly served in equipment availability and on-the-ground service back-up. The partnership will offer a wide range of industry sectors, including oil & gas, power generation, renewable energy, subsea & decommissioning, mining, petrochemical, heavy engineering and construction, premium quality rental solutions but also ECITB-accredited training.

Gee-Force’s dedicated training facility in Great Yarmouth, coupled with HTL’s expert trainers, allows the partnership to offer ECITB MJI10/18 & 19 training and TMJI testing, ideally suited to engineers and technicians who wish to achieve the required skill, ability and knowledge in specialist controlled bolting to maximise productivity and safety in the workplace. HTL’s hire fleet of torque and tensioning equipment, portable machines, flange working, cutting and subsea equipment, flushing, test and instrumentation equipment and essential maintenance tooling will be available locally to Gee-Force’s existing and prospective customer base.

C Graeme Cook C 01493 603797 / 07949 633604C graeme@gee-force.co.uk

“ GEE-fORCE’s DEDiCATED TRAiNiNG fACiLiTy iN GREAT yARMOUTh, COUPLED WiTh hTL’s EXPERT TRAiNERs, ALLOWs ThE PARTNERshiP TO OffER ECiTB MJi10/18 & 19 TRAiNiNG AND TMJi TEsTiNG ”

22 – JUNE 2016

skiLLs fOR ENERGy

There’s lots more to come!

Star performance for Lowestoft student

It has been another non-stop few months, and there’s plenty more on the horizon! SNS2016 was a real success and we were pleased to welcome a record number of attendees from across the industry. The Energy Challenge saw teams compete from the Energy Skills Foundation Programme (ESFP) at Great Yarmouth College and Lowestoft College, and students from the BEng Energy Engineering with Environmental Management degree at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Lowestoft College took the title this year and it will be theirs to defend at SNS2017! We have attended and delivered many events within the region during this past quarter, including the Norfolk Skills and Careers Festival, the celebration event for the completion of the Dudgeon Offshore Windfarm Substation Jacket and the ‘Introduction to’ training courses (see page 25). There were a huge number of activities which took place within the region, and

beyond, as part of National Apprenticeship Week, and we were pleased to be involved with and to support a variety of very successful events. We were delighted to receive a Highly Commended award in the Best Collaboration Between a University and Employer category at this year’s National Undergraduate Employability Awards. It’s fantastic that our ongoing work with the UEA has been recognised in this way and we look forward to continuing to build on this relationship. We have been working closely with Energy Employment Adviser, Heidi King, providing support within this very important role. You can read more about Heidi’s recent activities on this project on page 25. If you haven’t already done so then we would certainly encourage you to contact Heidi as there are always ways in which she can assist with supporting your organisation. Plans are already underway for the remainder of 2016, so watch this space!

C Gemma Head, SfE programme managerC 01493 412194C gemma.head@eeegr.com

C Gareth Headland C 01953 605123C Gareth.h@prucenewman.co.ukC www.prucenewman.co.uk

Maxwell Harrison, an Energy Skills Foundation Programme (ESFP) student at Lowestoft College, is celebrating after receiving a SkyWatcher Mercury telescope from pipefitting and fabrication company Pruce Newman. Maxwell won the prize by taking first place in a virtual reality welding competition which Pruce Newman ran on its stand at SNS2016 in March. During the two days of the conference and exhibition, visitors competed to produce the best fillet weld possible, using the innovative Fronius VR training equipment generously loaned by University Technical College Norwich, which mimics what Pruce Newman’s skilled welders see through their welding masks. Pruce Newman operations director, Tim Moorse, who presented Maxwell with his prize, said: “Our stand was busy throughout SNS2016 with people who wanted to discover more about the pipework and steel fabrication services we can offer the oil & gas energy sector, and

“ WE WERE DELiGhTED TO RECEivE A hiGhLy COMMENDED AWARD iN ThE BEsT COLLABORATiON BETWEEN A UNivERsiTy AND EMPLOyER CATEGORy ”

Tim Moorse presents

Maxwell Harrison with his

prize at Lowestoft College

who wanted to experience for themselves what it’s like to weld – something we do every day, but which many people who work in the sector have never had the chance to do before. “It’s encouraging that the competition was won by an engineering student from a local college, because it shows that educational providers are equipping the next generation of employees with the skills that industry needs. We recruit and

Gemma Head

develop apprentices every year, and we find that those who have completed the ESFP course, like Maxwell, do very well in their careers with Pruce Newman.” Maxwell, who is considering pursuing a craft apprenticeship himself, was delighted with his prize, saying: “It’s wonderful, and very much appreciated. Welding is one of the parts of the course I enjoy the most, and I hope to work in this field when I’ve completed my training.”

JUNE 2016 – 23

Pre-apprentices from

Lowestoft College visit Petans

UEA MSc students visit Claxton Engineering

ECITB Pre-Apprenticeship continues to impress

Leading skills organisation the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) is continuing to support its cohort of pre-apprentices at Lowestoft College. The one year course is giving 12 students the necessary engineering knowledge and practical skills which will enable a smooth transition on to the ECITB Advanced Apprenticeship from this summer. The students have been learning the theory which underpins engineering construction activities whilst also learning practical skills in mechanical maintenance, welding and fabrication and electrical disciplines. In February the students were showcased to industry at the East of England ECITB Forum. Attendees to the forum were treated to a presentation by the students on a recent site visit to Sembmarine SLP in Lowestoft. Matt Knights, account manager for the ECITB in the East of England said:

“It was fantastic for the students to showcase their knowledge to attendees at the ECITB Forum. The students were confident, mature, and a credit to Lowestoft College.” In March, the students completed a site visit to Petans in Norwich to gain an understanding of some of the training required to work in the offshore environment and the importance of health and safety. “The students are continuing to impress and shine on the programme and are gaining new skills. The programme is offering great opportunities for students and employers alike. For students, it offers a real insight into the world of work and a potential apprenticeship route. For employers, it provides an opportunity to become involved in a pioneering skills initiative and exposure to potential new apprentices. With apprenticeships at the top of the government agenda this initiative shows the value of delivering vocational training and education at the earliest possible stage.” Mr. Knights said. If you would like to be involved in this initiative or are interested in recruiting from this cohort, please contact matt.knights@ecitb.org.uk / 07837 020434.

There is no doubt that EEEGR’s Skills for Energy programme, and key players within it, were responsible for UEA starting its engineering degree programmes. At the National Undergraduate Employability Awards this valued partnership was recognised in the category of Best Collaboration between University and

Industry support for engineering at UEA is recognisedC Lawrence Coates C 01603 592632C lawrence.coates@uea.ac.ukC www.uea.ac.uk/eng

Employer, receiving a Highly Commended certificate. The citation singled out the value to UEA students of having access to EEEGR’s more than 300 member companies. For our 2016 entry we are building on our energy engineering strengths by broadening our undergraduate portfolio to include a general engineering first year with pathways that focus on mechanical engineering and electronic & electrical engineering. We will be seeking to grow our industry links in those areas as well. For our MSc this year we enlisted the help of industry experts to deliver a new module: Oil & Gas Engineering. Ken Woolley (Hiken Ltd), Mark Hewett (Hewett Petroleum Services Limited), Peter Haynes (Peter Haynes Associates, Safety & Operations Ltd), Alex Tollefson (Fraser Well Management) and consultant Barry Ridley stretched our students

C Matt Knights, ECITB account manager - SE & E C 07837 020434 C matt.knights@ecitb.org.uk

with realistic assignments based on reservoir appraisal, risk, drilling, asset integrity and financial appraisal. To close off the module we took the students to Claxton Engineering’s yard to get up close with the large diameter pipework that they had been designing on paper. Ann Vicens put together an excellent and informative afternoon. We are developing relationships with the professional institutions. In collaboration with the local branch of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), Dr Elina Kaplani (UEA contact for IET) arranged an evening of student presentations as part of their Presenting Around The World competition. First year student Jack Lawry (who was also a member of the UEA team at the SNS2016 Energy Challenge) was the eventual winner. A representative of the Energy Institute talked to all of our students in April about modern energy efficient buildings, to round off the teaching term. Dr Sonia Melendi-Espina is now our EI contact as we plan to arrange a few EI branch events nearer to Norwich. Finally we are really grateful for the generosity of ScottishPower Foundation in supporting the MSc with four dedicated scholarships. Integration of real industry case studies throughout our teaching is one of the reasons we were shortlisted for the above award. But really we have only just begun.

24 – JUNE 2016

skiLLs fOR ENERGy

Dip into the ex-military talent pool

About 13,000 people leave the UK Armed Forces and make the transition to civilian life each year. Resettlement services for the Armed Forces are provided by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), a partnering agreement between Right Management Ltd and the Ministry of Defence. Right Management Ltd are global career development and outplacement specialists and part of the Manpower Group. The Armed Forces equips its employees with a vast range of skills applicable to many industry sectors. Service leavers enter the civilian job market with a wide variety of formal qualifications, soft skills and experiences that are both relevant to industry and extremely valued by employers.

Their wide range of transferable soft skills include: communication, organisation and commitment, problem-solving and adaptability, leadership and management, health and safety, security awareness, best practice and team working. Not surprisingly Service leavers are in high demand and the CTP offer a no-cost recruitment service which can be personalised to meet organisational needs. CTP also works with employers to determine what training Service leavers need to qualify them for their particular industry sectors, and can work in conjunction with them to provide appropriate courses. Whether companies are looking for skilled and experienced personnel in any of the energy sectors - such as oil & gas, offshore wind, nuclear power, carbon capture and storage, wave and tidal or decommissioning - the CTP is likely to be able to introduce candidates with the skills associated with these roles.

The CTP’s dedicated ex-military recruitment site, RightJob, enables employers to add any number of job vacancies, from apprenticeship to executive level. Employer relationship managers, based across the UK, work with organisations to attract candidates with the right skills in their local area. For further information about how the CTP can help you access the ex-military talent pool, see www.ctp.org.uk/employers.

A recent CTP Employment Fair in Perth, Scotland

Platform of Opportunity Week attracts new companies

OPITO’s third successive Platform of Opportunity Week in academic partnership with East Norfolk Sixth Form College saw 12 energy sector firms in the region engaging with around 175 college and secondary school pupils looking to get one step closer to finding a role within the energy industry. Participation was secured from Claxton Engineering Ltd, Proeon Systems Ltd and Geo Therm Ltd for the initiative, helping pupils apply their education to practical working life through a series of taster sessions at each company. Seajacks UK, Fraser Well Management, Proserv UK, Aquaterra Energy and Gardline Geosurvey Ltd returned for the third year. Throughout 15 industry taster sessions, students took part in a range of activities including an introduction to well engineering, the chance to see what life is like offshore and on a vessel, testing soil samples, viewing subsea and gas turbine equipment, participating in interactive seismic interpretation sessions and testing out a 22 metre working at height training tower. OPITO’s UK regional business and communications manager Liz Davis-Smith said: “The level of interest this year is extremely promising, demonstrating that

C Liz Davis-Smith C 07500 442538C liz.davis-smith@opito.com

C www.ctp.org.uk/employers

firms are taking a long term approach to skills even during the current challenging climate to ensure the industry is engaging with its next generation.” Sue Cook, director of student progression and employability at East Norfolk Sixth Form College said: “We are delighted to be OPITO’s academic partner for the third successive year, which clearly demonstrates the sustainability of such an important local initiative.” Matt Jeffries, Training Centre Manager at participating company 3sun Group said: “We believe that practical, hands-on experience is crucial. It’s great to see so much interest in this event, showing that despite the industry’s challenges it can still be a major employer.”

Above & right: Students visit Seajacks UK and

3sun Group in Platform of Opportunity Week

JUNE 2016 – 25

The last successful Introduction To Oil & Gas and

Offshore Wind courses took place in April

A recent visit to Seajacks

Introduction to courses …another success

The pioneering series of Introduction to courses developed by Lowestoft College and Skills for Energy were designed last year to offer a basic introduction to the energy sector for non-technical individuals involved with or working within the energy sector and for those looking to enter it. The Introduction to Oil & Gas and the Introduction to Offshore Wind took place in April. Both of these courses were a great success, well attended, and very well received. Participants gained a better understanding of the industry and the terminology used within, which will give them the knowledge and confidence to assist them in their day-to-day role.

C Charlotte Upcraft C 01493 412199 C Charlotte.Upcraft@eeegr.com

The next courses will be the Introduction to Oil & Gas on July 6th and Introduction to Offshore Wind on July 7th. There is the opportunity to include an Introduction to Nuclear and an Introduction to Energy in the near future. There is also an option for the courses to be delivered in-house at company premises. Therefore, if you are new to industry or looking to enter the sector and need to understand the terminology and how it all works, this is the ideal course for you. Please contact Charlotte Upcraft for further details.

My name is Heidi King and I have been an employment adviser at Great Yarmouth Jobcentre for the last four years. I was delighted to be given the opportunity to take over the role of Energy Employment Adviser (EEA), working specifically within the energy industry. The overall aim of the EEA project, supported by Suffolk County Council and EEEGR, is for the adviser to become the ‘go to’ person for Jobcentre Plus (JCP) supported, job and careers advice for the energy sector. A crucial aspect of the EEA role is to gain an understanding of the energy industry and to use this to upskill office-based JCP advisers, enabling them to provide effective support across the energy industry and its supply chain. The last six months have been very busy but extremely worthwhile. Seajacks very kindly allowed me to organise a visit to their vessels, Hydra and Kraken, to help develop the knowledge of the JCP staff. The crew of each vessel provided us with the opportunity to ask questions about life in the industry. I have attended a variety of events including the decommissioning event, the ESFP presentation evening and SNS2016. Each of these events allowed me to meet with industry employers, local training providers and students within the region, providing me with the opportunity to network and offer information, advice and guidance regarding the services which the JCP can offer. I am working with the Oil & Gas Taskforce and have designed a toolkit to support employers if they find themselves having to reduce costs or make redundancies. I am also working with the LEPs and with EEEGR, as well as individual wind farm projects to help support their recruitment processes, including Galloper Wind Farm Ltd. Please do get in touch for further details at heidi.king@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

Boosting advice on energy jobs

Tapping into the energy of the region – ECITB and SNS2016

The ECITB was delighted to be part again of EEEGR’s flagship Southern North Sea conference. As an organisation deeply involved with local partners in the skills challenges of the region, SNS2016 was the perfect opportunity for ECITB staff and myself to meet, talk to and engage with the many businesses and people who make up this dynamic regional economy.

The Energy Challenge

For the second year running we were proud to sponsor the Energy Challenge to showcase the knowledge and understanding of students to industry. This year, teams of Energy Skills Foundation Programme students (which includes ECITB courses), competed from Lowestoft College and Great Yarmouth College, and the University of East Anglia Energy Engineering degree programme. The students were quizzed on various general and technical knowledge areas, and also took part in a picture and anagram round. Most challenging and amusing, was the final exercise, where one team member had to see who was the quickest to get into an immersion suit! Winners this year were students from Lowestoft College.

Above all the Energy Challenge gives students the opportunity for exposure to the industry and to showcase to employers the kind of local skills which are on offer.

Airing key issues – the Apprenticeship Levy

I was also delighted to have the opportunity to address conference delegates and speak about one of the biggest issues coming up on the skills landscape. Next year (April 2017) the government will introduce an Apprenticeship Levy across all businesses in the UK (payroll > £3 million) to help meet the target of three million new apprentice starts by 2020. The ECITB has been pioneering in its work with apprenticeships for the last twenty five years, including locally with Lowestoft College in its recent Pre-Apprenticeship Programme. We welcome steps to increase skills and productivity. However, we also believe that quality must be the driver of apprenticeships. The ECITB has long championed this cause through its ECITB apprenticeships.

To understand more about the ECITB and the Apprenticeship Levy, please visit www.ecitb.org.uk/Training-Levy/Apprenticeship-Levy.

C Chris Claydon, ECITB chief executiveC 01923 402121C chris.claydon@ecitb.org.uk C www.ecitb.org.uk

C Heidi King, DWP Energy Employment AdviserC heidi.king@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Chris Claydon, ECITB chief executive

26 – JUNE 2016

iN ThE EEEGR OffiCE

The EEEGR team has been busy planning ahead delivering more opportunities for members and organising events and conferences across the region. We host a number of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs), facilitating the Decommissioning and Marine SIG and are looking to set up a new Subsea SIG. Our first Marine Special Interest Group Event was on 9th June 2016 at Norwich City Football Club with an impressive speaker line-up and great turn out. We have partnered with Subsea UK to host a networking event on 29th June 2016 at the Imperial Hotel, Great Yarmouth. Our successful Decommissioning SIG event series continues with the Late Life &

Did you know? An EEEGR UpdateC Marie-Luise Wilhelm, EEEGR commercial

& communications managerC 01493 412199 / 07342 888976C marie.wilhelm@eeegr.com C www.eeegr.com

Decommissioning event on 12th July 2016 at the Norwich City Football Club. Our members guide the direction of our projects and we recognize the need to work closely with other organisations and trade bodies. Our Memorandum of Co-operation with Oil & Gas UK means we facilitate inter-organisation communication and we plan to organise two annual events. Our EEEGR Awards will be on the 14th September at Norwich City Football Club. Nominations are open, so please look out for that! Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis will host our prestigious House of Commons reception on 19th October 2016

Marie-Luise Wilhelm

“ AfTER OUR hUGELy sUCCEssfUL sNs2016 CONfERENCE AND EXhiBiTiON, sUPER-EARLy BiRD EXhiBiTiON OffERs ARE AvAiLABLE NOW fOR sNs2017. BOOk QUiCkLy As sPACE is LiMiTED. ”

Getting out to meet our members and understand what they do and how their business fits into the industry is one of the team’s most rewarding tasks.

Recent visits include Seajacks to tour Scylla and SSE’s control room for the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm.

Team trips

when Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, will speak. After our hugely successful SNS2016 conference and exhibition, super-early bird exhibition offers are available now for SNS2017. Book quickly as space is limited. On a personal note, it is with regret that I will be leaving EEEGR soon to relocate to my native Germany. I have enjoyed working with the brilliant EEEGR team, meeting members and learning about such a diverse, interesting and vibrant industry. The EEEGR team will be continuing the programme of events and membership work.

The EEEGR

team on

their visits

JUNE 2016 – 27

Successful Membership Focus Group

EEEGR chief executive officer Simon Gray has been named among the top 100 most influential business people in Suffolk. Simon, who has led the organisation since June 2012, appears in the latest edition of the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) Suffolk 100. The publication celebrates the businesses and individuals that have made the greatest contribution to the region’s economy. It is published by leading regional media company Archant and its regional daily newspaper the EADT. Simon has been at the forefront of ensuring the Southern North Sea energy sector has a vibrant voice at a time of transition as the long-running offshore gas sector is joined by a growing number of major wind farm sites. EEEGR has hosted keynote conferences with top speakers, and raised government awareness through ministerial visits and House of Commons receptions. Simon is keen for the region to live up to its full potential in a nationally-

Simon proud of top 100 accoladeC Simon Gray, EEEGR chief executive officer C 01493 412197 / 07787 845781C simon.gray@eeegr.comC www.eeegr.com

important industry with resources and skills on the East Anglian doorstep, so it can provide jobs for future generations. EEEGR chairman Patrick Phelan said: “Being selected in the Suffolk 100 is a highly-regarded achievement and shows how much Simon’s work on behalf of EEEGR contributes to raising the profile of the energy industry in the East of England and beyond.” Simon added: “It is flattering to be recognised in the Suffolk 100 – but more importantly it shows that our voice is being heard, and our presence felt, at this vitally important time for the energy industry.”

Coming soon – EEEGR / SfE eventsJUNE 201622nd – Great Yarmouth College Further

Education Awards – Great Yarmouth Minster.

23rd – National Women in Engineering Day – John Innes Centre, Norwich.

23rd – Leavers’ Link Norwich – Maids Head Hotel, Norwich.

28th – Energy Skills Foundation Programme (ESFP) Celebration Event – Lowestoft College.

29th – Subsea UK and EEEGR Networking Event – The Imperial Hotel, Great Yarmouth.

29th – ECITB WebinEYE Series – DECOMMISSIONING – Planning Ahead.

29th – Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) Well P&A Hackathon – Norwich City Football Club. By invitation only.

JULy 20166th – Beacon International Series:

America Conference – Beacon Innovation Centre, Gorleston.

6th – Introduction to Oil & Gas – Lowestoft College.

7th – Introduction to Offshore Wind – Lowestoft College.

12th – Late Life & Decommissioning Special Interest Group – Norwich City Football Club.

14th – Career Transition Partnership (CTP) South East / East Employment Fair – Newmarket.

18th – ECITB Module 4 – IOSH – Wymondham.

19th – Beacon Innovation Series: Norway Conference – Beacon Innovation Centre, Gorleston.

27th – ECITB WebinEYE Series – End of Phase Reviews.

28th – Leavers’ Link Norwich – Maids Head Hotel, Norwich.

AUGUsT 201631st – ECITB WebinEYE Series –

Stakeholder Management.sEPTEMBER 201614th – EEEGR Awards / EEEGR Awards

Gala Dinner – Norwich City Football Club.

22nd – Leavers’ Link Norwich – Maids Head Hotel, Norwich.

28th – ECITB WebinEYE Series – PMP – Creation and Refinement.

OCTOBER 201619th – House of Commons Reception –

Members Dining Room, Westminster.19th – Suffolk Skills Show –

Trinity Park, Ipswich.27th – Leavers’ Link Norwich –

Maids Head Hotel, Norwich.

www.eeegr.com/events

EEEGR's Membership

Focus Group at the

Cliff Hotel

Following the success of our last Membership Focus Group, and in an effort to evaluate our membership benefits, we conducted a follow-on focus group across all member tiers and categories to assess EEEGR’s effectiveness and assist in our ongoing strategy. This year’s focus group took place on Wednesday 18th May 2016 at the Cliff Hotel in Gorleston.

A well-attended and interactive afternoon included networking and brainstorming sessions and was closed with a barbecue and drinks reception. We would like to thank all our attendees for their valuable input. We will review the feedback and communicate the outcome and next steps very soon. Also, EEEGR’s new mission statement was unveiled at our membership focus group and endorsed unanimously at our latest board meeting on 24th May, 2016.

EEEGR’s mission is to be the source of new opportunities and knowledge to enable member companies to strategically grow their businesses.

Simon Gray

This is your chance to pitch an idea or innovation to a panel of expert judges and an audience of energy specialists.

Entries to siofra.driver@eeegr.comby 29th July 2016.

ENTER NOW FOR:

C The Innovation AwardC The Cost Reduction and Collaboration AwardC The Best Energy Project AwardC The Skills Initiative of the Year 2016 Award

Other awards will also be presented at the Gala Dinner at the Top of the Terrace.

For more details and to book a place at the gala dinner please go towww.eeegr.com/events

AWARDS& GALA DINNER

2016ROLL OUT YOUR BRIGHT IDEANorfolk Lounge Norwich City Football Club 14th September 2016