Memorandum 39
Supplementary submission from IMarEST
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
From an international perspective it is our
opinion that there is a relatively healthy on-going dialogue between
the international offshore oil & gas industry and those in
the UK involved in marine science and technology. This includes
Institutes and government organisations, as well as commercial
contractors.
In the absence of another forum (eg UKOOA),
this dialogue is coordinated by the Metocean Committee of the
International Oil & Gas Producers (OGP). This committee meets
twice per year once in the USA and once in Europe. When the committee
meets in the UK, Institute and contractor representatives from
the UK and internationally are regularly invited to give presentations,
and to discuss how the committee members can work together on
common goals where this would be appropriate. Also these organisations
are invited to participate in OGP initiated workshops, seminars
etc. This has led to various projects with OGP members, either
involving individual OGP members or together in Joint Industry
Projects (JIPs). The focus is on international co-operation, making
the best use of organisations (both Institutes and contractors)
from different countries with the best tools and expertise for
the task in hand. These JIPs are funded from various sources including
the O&G industry and the EC.
The dialogue can always be improved. Understanding
of the O&G industry needs for marine science and technology
is sometimes mixed in the UK. Compared to other countries the
interaction is less close. Perhaps some changes in attitude are
necessary with more open interaction and cooperation, and more
adaptation to the business needs. Examples from the metocean perspective
include more user involvement in the specification of satellite
monitoring programmes and more involvement in the assessment of
the potential impact of Climate Change. Both of these topics are
on the radar screen of the OGP metocean committee.
Marine science that is undertaken by private
sector is primarily in support of the offshore oil and gas sector
and renewable energy. Offshore work relating to other marine interests
generally resides with academia and government agencies, and this
position is unlikely to change whilst the bulk of funding for
this type of work comes from government departments such as DEFRA.
Much of the work could be undertaken by the private sector, which
could possibly provide a more cost effective solution whilst maintaining
or improving the scientific standards. Similarly academia could
also provide greater input into the work commissioned by the Government
departments. It is suggested that the effort required to secure
government work is not commensurate with the potential reward
due to the advantages, in terms of data access, proximity to clients,
etc. that are maintained by bodies such as CEFAS.
Some areas of hope are provided, for example
the provision of real time metocean data by the oil industry to
forecasters offers an excellent demonstration of how integrated
data solutions may work to benefit all sectors through improved
forecasts.
A more balanced scenario exists nearshore, mainly
due to the greater number of users of the marine environment in
this geography. A mixture of public, private and academic bodies
undertakes science in this sector. Due to the accessibility of
this geography data collection is cheaper and generally more science
is undertaken. The quality of science varies, with certain sectors
undertaking the minimum to achieve legislation or due diligence
to secure commercial funding, whereas others recognise the benefit
of greater scientific knowledge and the positive impact it can
make on their business activity. It is suggested that former is
due to lack of knowledge and that education of such sectors would
grow with the implementation of the Marine Bill and the requirement
to provide evidence based on sound marine science. Greater data
availability permitting multiple uses of the same data set would
also decrease the cost to these sectors, which may then fund science
on existing data sets.
The number of high quality courses available
to physical oceanographers is severely limited. Additionally the
role of applied oceanography in under-graduate courses is generally
ignored. The private sector provides significant export value
in the Marine Science sector. To maintain the health of this capability
UK industry must maintain its cutting edge science as routine
tasks can be undertaken cheaper by many overseas countries. The
present R&D tax breaks may help to do this, but also greater
technology transfer from Government funded research, eg through
NERC, is also required.
Some coordination of Marine Science is poor.
A simple example is the Environment Agencies tide gauge network.
The Agency has approximately 300 tide gauges around the UK coast,
often with different departments funding and maintaining gauges
at similar locations. When considered with Harbour and Port authority
tide gauges a comprehensive network could be implemented at probably
lower cost with greater accuracy, dissemination and benefit to
the general public and industry.
The Marine Bill white paper demonstrates the
effectiveness of the overall coordination of activities relating
to Marine Science. Within the paper the Marine Data Information
Partnership (MDIP) appears to be considered as a permanent body
that is appropriately funded, that could undertake some of the
data storage and dissemination that will be required by the Marine
Bill. In reality MDIP is a 2-year project coordinated by IACMST,
with a single permanent member of staff. It is grossly underfunded
and relies on the goodwill of industry, government agencies and
academia.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided represents the views
of the IMarEST Technical Affairs Committee and not necessarily
the views of the IMarEST membership as a whole.
The IMarEST Marine Voices campaign provides
the platform of opportunity for professionals to discuss and exchange
ideas and practices, and promotes the scientific development of
marine engineering, science and technology
May 2007
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