Oil & Gas Forums - Worldoils

OilVoice reports about the booming UK Subsea industry and the subsequent challenges to be faced by them.

" The subsea industry employs more than 40,000 people in the UK and has a $9 billion share of a $25 billion global market. The UK sector has grown by 25% in each of the last two years and exports 50% of its products and services.The rapid growth of the subsea sector since 2004 has fuelled an unparralled surge in the construction of new vessels of all types. In particular, the so called SURF (Subsea Umbilicals Risers and Flowlines) fleet of world class vessels is expected to grow from around 20 vessels to more than 50 in the next three to five years.

The new subsea construction vessels and drilling rigs will require some 2,000 additional watch keepers, 800 additional personnel in saturation and diving-related positions, 1,000 personnel in survey area and 1,200 personnel to man new ROV spreads. Subsea UK and its member companies have recognised the developing manpower problem for some time and has welcomed the setting up of an increasing number of university courses in subsea engineering as well as online familiarisation courses to enable personnel to transfer easily form other professions. In addition, a subsea skills website has been created which acts as a portal for subsea companies wishing to recruit skilled people.

However, with upwards of 3000 people required in the near future, further courses and training are required."

It is also reported that the rate of subsea development activity is supposed to decline in the next 3 - 5 years. Will a manpower shortage now lead to an oversupply problem in the near future ? It seems to be a double edged sword that the subsea industry has to currently face, with the courses and training required to get the required manpower for the booming subsea industry and the subsequent expected decline of the subsea development activity in the next few years.