| Details: | Resource, a new environmental business group serving the international energy sector, was launched in the UK's oil capital, Aberdeen, Thursday 19 June. The group aims to assist member companies to take advantage of world environmental business opportunities reckoned to reach a staggering £400 billion by 2010.
Resource aims to assist member companies to provide solutions to environmental issues and also enable them to use their expertise to market and develop their business.
Speaking at the launch Mike Straughen, chief operating officer of AMEC Oil and Gas, explained, "A PILOT report estimates that the annual UK environmental industry is currently worth over £8.5 billion, rising to more than £10 billion by 2010. "The report predicts that the size of the global environmental market will rise to around £400 billion by 2010. This represents a huge opportunity for UK suppliers."
The PILOT report, and a separate report commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, identified a need for a UK environmental business network to help companies capitalise on environmental opportunities and maximise the UK share of this market. Resource, the new environmental business group, emerged from a steering group comprising the DTI, Scottish Enterprise Energy Team, UKOOA, a number of UK based SMEs and representatives from major UKCS operators and contractors. "Resource has grown from a good idea to a tangible business venture," said Mike Straughen.
The new environmental business group is being backed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Scottish Enterprise. "In recent years we have seen a significant increase in environmental legislation. The UK government aims to have a regime which is driven by environmental protection both offshore and onshore. "The regulatory measures, combined with an increased public awareness of environmental issues, means that we must all adapt our working practices to ensure continued improvement in environmental performance in this industry. "I am pleased the industry is rapidly becoming a standard bearer for sustainable working and has taken on the challenge of diversification. This is not an easy challenge and will only truly succeed in an environment of collaboration," explained Mike.
Resource aspires to be the premier business development and networking organisation for environmental solutions and services in the energy sector and is building collaborative relationships in both commercial and academic areas throughout the UK.
With the increase in environmental legislation there has been a new emphasis in the academic world on developing new technologies to safely manage waste and protect the environment from harmful pollutants. Building links between business and research institutions will be an important element in the Resource mix.
Stewart Risk (52), formerly vice president of Subsea7 (HSE Management), with 25 years experience in the oil and gas industry, has been appointed chief executive of Resource.
"It is my vision that Resource will provide the essential ink between clients with environmental problems and small to medium sized enterprises with innovative solutions," he said. "Resource will act as an efficient business development facilitator, an important link in bringing industry people together, helping to minimise the purchasing and sales efforts of the respective parties. "The Resource management team will highlight current and proposed environmental legislation," added Stewart. "This important aspect of our work will help identify client environmental requirements and other potential business opportunities."
Speed and efficiency will be essential ingredients in the service provided by Resource. The group's website - www.resource-group.org - will be the key point of contact between Resource, its members and prospective clients. The new environmental business group will initially concentrate on the energy sector and aims to provide access to expertise in a wide range of environmental areas.
Among these are:
air pollution control
water and wastewater treatment
drill cuttings
decommissioning
waste management
contaminated land/water remediation
environmental monitoring, instrumentation, analysis and assessment
noise and vibration control
consultancy services
"Resource creates a great opportunity for collaborative working between its members, SMEs, academia, and larger companies within the oil and gas industry, and will promote innovative business solutions to the environmental challenges we currently face," commented Jonathan Elliott-Jones, deputy director, Oil and Gas Industry Development, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
"This new environmental business network will harness the expertise we have in this industry providing support to those companies wanting to diversify within the UK and internationally," he added.
Resource is temporarily operating from the Scottish Enterprise Energy Team office at 10 Queens Road, Aberdeen. The non-profit support group will move into its own premises in the near future. |
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