About the challenges for offshore companies entering the renewables industry, answered by Alastair Mckie(AM) who is director of remote operations in Europe and Africa.
Fugro has steadily built up a reputation in oil and gas. They have made moves toward offshore renewable energy services.
They are gathering geological data from platform operators with other companies in the sector. It has since followed the prevailing winds into offshore renewables. Geodata as required for floating and fixed wind turbines, nevertheless, the renewables industry presents problems to those looking to bring in their offshore experience.
Mathew Farmer(MF) : Why do you think Fugro is well placed to transition toward offshore renewables?
AM : Furgo has decades of experience working within the marine sector. A lot of the lessons learned can be transferred through into the renewables industry. One obvious example is floating wind turbines, it's now many rigs. They have a section above the water, a section below the water, and they're moored in some way to the seabed. One of the other big examples is with the cables industry. Those floating turbines or fixe turbines are connected via cables. We have been assisting with cable-laying in the marine environment, and dedicating assets to enable that to happen. It's making these assets capable of renewables work.
MF : How difficult has transferring assets towards renewables proved so far?
AM : Assets mean vessels, tools, sensors, and methodologies. It has had significant speed and been fuelled by the demand for capacity.
However, how we've managed to transfer marine workers from being oil and gas specific into renewables, there's a significant workforce that's experienced and competent in what they already do in the marine environment that can transfer across.
Much of the innovation in renewables in Europe comes down to the expertise within the subsea oil and gas industry in the region.
MF : How much of an obstacle do training standards present when moving toward renewables?
AM : The nature of the jobs in renewables, particularly int he maintenance and operations of wind farms, have some changes. The biggest hurdle is the amount of training that's then required. Training is more than 80% similar, but you still need to jump through the renewables hoops.
MF : So do you believe the problem lies in certification more than training?
AM : There are lots of opportunities for hands-on training and for certification training. It's not a case of availability to do the training, it's more down to cost and flexibility. The offshore workforce is very used to training. The challenge between oil and gas and renewables in the future means you have to have both sets of certificates and tickets. That can be financially restrictive for some people.
MF : Is this a problem that regulatory bodies need to address?
AM : The regulatory bodies are looking into, it's been recognized this year. It's a requirement to ensure there's sustainable workforce going forward. The biggest challenge is to try and ensure that we retain consistency through that effort. At that moment, the renewables industrystill has a little bit to catch up on.
MF : So far, has transition required significant internal change at Fugro, or has it been relatively easy?
AM : In short, a little bit both. the amount of effort it takes to enforce a change. Having that at the core of what we do has enabled change at the pace that we have seen. One of the biggest challenges is the human element of that change. It's a case of transitioning towards the future where there is a sensible energy mix.
MF : Can you foresee a time when Fugro works predominantly within renewables?
AM : The world will still need oil and gas, however, it's toward cleaner energy sources and they will play a pivotal part. It is possible that this plan of reneables industry expands the offshore, if the industry works together.
MF : What do you think the most exciting part of the upcoming transition will be?
AM : The big change is that the renewables industry has a totally different rist profile to the oil and gas one. It allows renewables companies to approach the energy transition in a different way, and drive through innovation quicker.
Renewables operators, developers and clients alike have an appetite for innovation, and a fairly quick delivery of it. Because of the risk and the inherent nature of projects, the pace that you can enforce and develop change is different.
In my opinion, oil and gas will be also changed by the new renewables industry. I would like to say how to save the earth and the environment means that how to use the nature correctly. All the things we have now are reasonable to use in the different ways which means that if it doesn't use wrong ways, it's worth it to spend like oil and gas. The one biggest problem is the way that we use and destroy simultaneously. The nature resource needs to be found to work on the right way. We have to fine everything in the right fit in this beautiful earth.
Vocabulary
offshore : adj. adv. away from or at a distance front the coast. based in a different country with different tax rules that cost less money. / v. to base a business or part of a business in a different country, usually because this is cheaper.
fundamentally : adv. in a basic and important way
expertise : n. a high level of knowledge or skill
subsea : adj. (expecially of processes or equipment used in the oil industry) situated or occurring beneath the surface of the sea
region : n. a particular area or part of the world. or any of the large official areas into which a country is divided.
competency : n. an important skill that is needed to do a job.
distriction : n. sudden display, flash, glitter
perspective : n. a particular way of considering something
legislation: n. a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament.
ex) The government has promised to introduce legislation to limit fuel emissions from cars.
restrictive : adj. limiting the freedom of someone or preventing something from growing.
regulatory : adj. a regulatory body/organization
pivotal : adj. central and important
autonomous : adj. independent and having the power to make your own decisions.
an autonomous organization, country, or region is independent and has the freedom to govern itself.
uncrewed : adj. not carrying or performed by people. having no crew.
roll out : phrasal verb. to make a new product, service, or system available for the first time.
ex) roll sth out : The company plans to roll out the scheme across Europe in the coming months.
n. an occasion when a new product or service is gradually made available to more people after it has first been tested in a particular area.
alike : adj. simialr to each other. looking or being almost but the not exactly the same.
adv. in a similar way. used after referring to two groups of people or things to show that both groups are included.
ex) Friends and family alike were devastated by the news of her death.
*refer/Link : www.power-technology.com/features/fugro-offshore-transition-seabed-geodata-renewable-oil-gas-wind-power-transition-workers/
Q&A: From oil and gas to exploring renewables, with Fugro
Fugro has built a name in the oil and gas industry gathering geological data for platform operators. As with other companies in the sector, it has since followed the prevailing winds into offshore renewables. The company has experience gathering geodata as
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* The above is a summary for personal practice.
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