Economic Report 2016 - Oil & Gas UK

ECONOMIC REPORT 2016

The company Sky-Futures provides asset inspection services using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commonly referred to as drones.

How has the company shown resilience in this difficult climate? Originally based in the UK, Sky-Futures sees the opportunity to extend its geographical reach and build stronger business capabilities overseas as the demand for cost-saving technologies grows. Its service means offshore inspections on installations can be carried out without incurring the labour and logistics costs associated with traditional manned inspections. It also eliminates the human risk factors presented by rope access, working at height and in confined spaces and prevents shut-downs allowing assets to remain productive through the inspection period. What are the results? Sky-Futures has gained 36 clients and is now working in over 16 countries with the ability to inspect approximately 85 per cent of the world’s oil and gas offshore platforms. Since 2014, the company has grown from having two offices to six located across the UK, Abu Dhabi, the US and Southeast Asia, and expects its revenue to double this year as it invests in new sensors and analytics so that the UAVs can capture more varied and higher quality data. ©2011 Sky-Futures. Published with the permission of Sky-Futures

The company Global Energy Group specialises in construction and maintenance solutions for mobile and platform drilling, floating production, marine construction and inspection, repair and maintenance, and fixed production. It also manufactures bespoke products for the subsea, topsides and downstream markets. How has the company shown resilience in this difficult climate? Over the last few years Global Energy Group has focused on diversification into adjacent sectors. It has spent over £45 million on developing quayside space and support facilities at

its Nigg site, transforming it into a multi-user Energy Park with capability to cater for contracts from the nuclear and renewables sectors. This is in addition to the already thriving oil and gas contracts that have been undertaken since acquiring the site in 2011. In September 2015, Global Energy Group officially unveiled its newly refurbished deepwater quayside space with enhanced dry dock, fabrication and laydown facilities. What are the results? Much of the slack in oil and gas-related business is starting to be replaced following successful diversification into adjacent sectors. Global Energy has won a number of contracts on pioneering projects including the world’s first floating wind farm – Statoil’s Hywind pilot park offshore from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. Global Energy will also be supporting Siemens at Nigg Energy Park on the groundbreaking £2.6 billion Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project and is currently working with Atlantis Resources on delivering the MeyGen project and leading the global development of tidal power generation.

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