The UK subsea industry is one of the most exciting and fastest growing technology sectors in the world.
Cutting-edge technology combined with world-leading engineering is ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of extracting one of the most precious commodities from under the seabed in a safe and environmentally secure manner.
The subsea oil and gas sector contributes over £4 billion to the UK economy. Over 800 companies are active in the sector, providing direct and indirect employment for approximately 40,000 people.
Increasingly recovery of the world’s oil and gas reserves is being achieved through subsea wells in some of the deepest waters and most challenging environments on our planet. This presents a real test of engineering ingenuity and expertise.
However, the sector is set for explosive growth and the UK’s world-leading position in subsea oil and gas is being threatened by a shortage of engineering talent. You could help ensure that the UK continues to lead the way and be a part of an exciting industry with a rewarding, long-term future.
Subsea UK
Subsea UK, the industry body that champions the sector, has launched an initiative to attract engineers and engineering graduates into the industry. Find out about the industry, the opportunities that exist, and how to apply by exploring this site.
Subsea is about creating facilities and systems that produce oil and gas from underwater reservoirs. It is about engineering, building and installing valves, pipelines and control systems in depths of up to 2km. Because it is an efficient and environmentally friendly way of producing oil and gas, increasing numbers of subsea wells are being installed around the world.
UK-based market analysts, In Field, predict that the global subsea market will almost triple in size from $6 billion in 2004 to $18 billion in 2008. Because the UK leads the way in delivering subsea equipment and services, the current huge demand will grow accordingly. But we will be constrained if we cannot bring fresh talent into the sector.
The shortage of engineering skills is exacerbated by the ageing workforce in the oil and gas industry and we must bring in new blood to meet current and future demand. Experience shows us that engineers from other sectors can become subsea engineers with the proper training and induction.
Find out just how easy it could be ...