Anyone who attended Offshore Europe will recognise these are challenging times for the UKCS.
With upstream activity significantly reduced, the IADC North Sea Chapter has long understood that industry survival depends on confronting this new reality - identifying opportunities, and transforming perceptions.
Representing all UKCS drilling contractors and 100 supply chain members, we are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation through targeted communication and advocacy across all stakeholders – governments, industry groups, educational institutions, and daily industry colleagues.
Our mission extends beyond protecting drilling asset jobs – that's too simplistic. Rather, it is our duty to do all we can to safeguard the rigs currently within the UKCS, which in turn will positively impact a whole supply chain, and the thousands of directly and non-directly related roles within the UK.
Retaining capacity, retaining capability, developing new talent
Our primary goal is preventing UKCS rig removal or stacking, thus maintaining adequate asset capacity and skills, not least to secure national energy security during global geopolitical uncertainty, whilst efficiently and cost-effectively undertaking the well P&A which represents a significant percentage of upcoming work. Despite ongoing frustration with P&A schedule ambiguity, we believe that even a small uptick in work during 2026/27 would be sufficient to retain the current number of drilling assets.
If anticipated P&A work materialises, capability retention should naturally follow. However, activity must begin before skills migrate to other industries and regions; a message we're actively conveying to decision makers.
We're also dedicated to redefining energy careers by positioning drilling as part of the broader energy sector, capable of transitioning between energy industries. While many believe a "career for life" no longer applies in this field, we believe it still can - but breaking down the siloes within the sector will be central to this shift in mindset.
Success requires better understanding of P&A opportunities, which are inevitable despite fluid timelines. P&A represents a fundamental well lifecycle stage; it’s a challenge to be relished, a complex process which demands the ability to assess, challenge and manage risk. To ensure a safe and cost-efficient P&A industry, it’s vital that we retain (and develop) amongst others, well control and well management skills.
Attracting new talent into our industry raises further challenges and a critical re-education and significant perception shift are required amongst those currently at school and college – and those who teach them. The IADC North Sea Chapter is 100% committed to getting this message across through increased activity with schools, colleges and universities.
Our Approach
We champion a realistic, sustainable energy transition – emphasising the "transition". Our members possess extensive, relevant experience for this journey and beyond. We are the voice of that membership, working closely with external organisations to ensure the drilling contractor and supply chain communities are heard and understood at the highest decision-making levels.
Face-to-face communication remains high on our agenda, bringing our Primary (contractor) and Associate (supply chain) members together to share knowledge and insight, whilst building the relationships that prove central to safeguarding the UK’s offshore energy industry.
To find out more about the support we provide, visit https://iadc.org/chapters/north-sea/#nsc-welcome