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Oil and gas decommissioning specialists will learn from experts in other sectors - including those behind the staging of Scotland’s biggest music festival - when they gather for a conference later this year.

The consultant responsible for erecting and dismantling the stages at T in the Park will share her experiences at the annual Offshore Decommissioning Conference organised by Oil & Gas UK and Decom North Sea, and taking place in St Andrews from November 17 to 19.

Representatives from the nuclear and renewables industries will give their insights at the event, which will also feature an authority in decommissioning with more 30 years’ onshore and offshore experience.

Mick Borwell, environment director at Oil & Gas UK and conference co-chair, said: “We are taking an entirely different approach with the conference this year. These are difficult times for North Sea oil and gas and our sector is tackling the situation by looking for new ways to be more efficient. It makes sense to take that same approach when it comes to decommissioning.”

Delegates will hear talks on how efficiency in decommissioning can be improved and how costs can be reduced by taking steps such as standardising and simplifying the process. New techniques and technologies will be highlighted and case studies shared from late life operations and decommissioning activities.

One of the highlights will be the launch of Oil & Gas UK’s annual Decommissioning Insight which provides the supply chain with intelligence on decommissioning opportunities over the next decade.

“Looking outside oil and gas and taking learnings from other sectors which face their own distinct, large-scale challenges should be illuminating and prompt us to think about decommissioning in new ways,” said Mr Borwell.

Speakers include consultant Katt Alexander, who has several years’ experience producing large scale outdoor music, sports and cultural events, as well as stadium and venue based concert tours. Brian Twomey, from Reverse Engineering Services Limited, will use his three decades of international experience to outline the size, scope and challenges of decommissioning around the world.

“There are major challenges with the application decommissioning law and regulation, accurate cost estimation and local content worldwide, which can have a major effect on worldwide decommissioning. I will discuss what we have learned to date,” said Dr Twomey.

Karen Seath, Decom North Sea chief executive added: “Innovative thinking is a key factor in ensuring the development of effective solutions and strategies for safe, efficient decommissioning. Decom North Sea has long been an advocate of cross-sector learning, and I’m delighted that this year’s conference programme reflects this so clearly.”

Offshore Decommissioning Conference 2015 – Taking The Initiative should be of interest to decommissioning teams within operators and contractors, late life asset teams, those looking to get into decommissioning or with ideas of making the process more efficient. Click here find out more.

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