Energy Voice has launched an event aimed at ensuring the next generation of industry innovators don’t get lost in translation amid a market downturn.

Industry giant Sir Ian Wood, Offshore Europe co-chairman Michael Engell-Jensen, Derek Leith, office managing partner at EY Aberdeen and the firm’s UK head of oil and gas taxation and UK North Sea newcomer Statoil will all take part in the panel.

The event, which will be held at the Tivoli on Wednesday September 2, will discuss the final wave of Energy Voice’s research: Energy 2050 – Securing our Future.

UK Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom said it was critical events like Energy Voice’s keep the dialogue open with the next generation.

She said: “Our whole government’s agenda is to ensure young people can get into work where they can be well paid and have futures. To get young people into the energy industry jobs and career is absolutely vital to this government.”

Paul de Leeuw, director of the Oil and Gas Institute at Robert Gordon University said: “I travel all around the world and young people all ask why they should get into the industry if the perception is that it’s dead. I tell them because it will come back around.

“Energy Voice is doing the right thing by saying hold on we’ve been here before, we’ll be here again but we must continue the conversation because when we come out of this it’s very important that we managed to maintain the skills pipeline.”

“It’s absolutely key we continue to build that pipeline and have those dialogues to secure the industry’s future.”

The Energy Voice event, which will be chaired by editor Rita Brown, will look at what the industry must now do in order meet the current challenges it faces.

She said: “The UK’s oil and gas sector was built by pioneers of innovation – pioneers who relished the unknown and conquered the North Sea’s relentless conditions. However, the industry risks becoming stagnant.”

“To secure its own future, the industry must now find a sustainable way to attract the next generation of innovators into the sector.

“The standard of our panel is evidence of how critical cracking this code is. As we navigate new market territory, the sector’s next generation must not get lost in translation.”

The free event will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen.

Derek Leith, panellist and head of oil and gas taxation and office managing partner at EY in Aberdeen, said: “With annual production set to increase this year for the first time in over a

decade, there are still opportunities for the industry to succeed despite the low oil price environment.”

“EY has already been at the forefront of fuelling the discussion around the next generation of oil and gas industry workers and this event will serve to promote the positive message coming from companies that the industry still needs significant numbers of young people who are innovative, entrepreneurial and equipped to face the challenges ahead.”

Deirdre Michie, Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive, said: “These may be challenging times for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry but there are a lot of varied opportunities still out there and diverse people with the right skills will continue to be in demand.”

“Oil and gas is a global industry and skills and expertise ‘grown’ here can be transferred around the world. This is certainly a sector with much to offer the next generation who will play a vital role in securing and supporting the sector’s long-term future.”

Shankar Bhukya, the chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen section, said the oil and gas industry represents an “ever-evolving sector” with constant technological advancement and scientific discoveries.

Bhukya said: “It is important that the experienced generation of oil and gas professionals pass on their technical knowledge and expertise to the next generation, with the aim of ensuring that the technological developments in the industry are properly sustained.”

“This event is an excellent platform for leading professionals to address the workforce of tomorrow. SPE Aberdeen has always highlighted the importance of oil and gas education and studies, offering endless opportunities to help drive innovation and support technological breakthroughs.

“Events like these play an integral role in inspiring and motivating the brightest new talent. The panel discussion is sure to offer delegates a relevant and lively debate, led by some of the most influential industry experts in Aberdeen.

“It will allow them to share their views of the industry with the delegates and present opportunities for future innovation.”

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/energy-2050-the-next-generation-tickets-17985297509