Digitalisation project to save North Sea millions launches steering group
Published: 19 February, 2020
An ambitious collaborative digitalisation project which aims to help the UK oil and gas industry save millions has taken a significant step forward with the first meeting of its steering group committee in Aberdeen last month.
Backed by the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC), the UK Hub is the result of two years of engagement from multiple industry partners and arose from a cost sustainability study that demonstrated collaboration and standardisation to be key components in creating greater business efficiencies via the sharing of standardised equipment data.
This first meeting of the UK Hub steering group was attended by 21 representatives from a number of operators and tier 1 contractors.
The UK Hub utilises SHAREcat technology which enables the collection, validation, maintainance and distribution of supplier information. The technology has been further enhanced to provide a collaborative, industry-owned platform creating maximum business efficiencies.
Over two years of effort from multiple participating associations and industry partners, alongside extensive engagement with all levels of the supply chain, has resulted in the creation of this collaborative tool which will prove a critical component in the management of equipment information across all phases of an asset’s lifecycle, from operations, through late life asset management to decommissioning in the UKCS.
UK hub business development manager David McColgan said: “The launch of the steering group committee marks significant progress for this innovative project which we are confident will help extend the future of the UKCS. This is a “by the industry, for the industry” initiative which will revolutionise how we collect, store and share information for parts and equipment.”
Murdo Macleod - materials management and distribution manager at BP said: “I am proud to be part of the launch of the innovative UK Hub which has the potential to create huge efficiencies in the procurement of materials and equipment across the North Sea basin supply chain.”
