'Bright Future' for Heavy Oil

Around 100 delegates attended the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) Business Breakfast at the start of the second day of the World Heavy Oil Congress 2012. Since its launch in 2006, this is the first year the Congress has visited the UK. Aberdeen being its first UK venue creates a positive message and reinforces evidence of business success in the region.

Chair, Peter Murray of Ledingham Chalmers introduced Dr José Luis Mogollón, Mature Fields EOR and CCS Team Leader of Halliburton who highlighted the importance of utilising heavy oil to meet worldwide energy demands. With challenges including equipment costs, Halliburton are working to overcome these difficulties with innovative technological developments.

Next to the stage was Johan Andreas Johansen, Vice President Operations for the Mariner and Bressay development in the UK of Statoil. Johan discussed aims to establish an operational organisation for offshore heavy oil production in Aberdeen providing employment opportunities for local graduates and skilled workers.

Concluding on the morning's event, Robert Collier, Chief Executive of AGCC reiterated the importance of addressing skills shortages to go forward with such initiatives, stimulating a bright future for heavy oil in the North-east.