Subsea Technical Conference 2009

There is much more to say later but for now, congratulations to everyone involved in the First Annual Subsea Technical Conference (2009) held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre (PCEC) from 17-19 February, concurrently with the hugely successful Australian Oil and Gas (AOG) Conference.

The Chair of the Perth branch of the SUT, Martyn Witton, welcomed everyone to First Annual SUT Conference, "Thanks for coming." In his introductory remarks, Martyn noted that subsea production will be the primary method with the percentage of income from subsea coming to 80% - requiring systems, long distance, subsea processing, pressure boosting - new and different technologies.

Reliability needs to be demonstrated; developing people and skills, and applying new technology. SUT spreads technology widely, economic benefit, applying technology, growing need for engineers, largest proportion in south east Asian and Indian subcontinent.

Outside the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones, 3500' depth, systems, local and global networks, specialist technologies, continue to support reliance on hydrocarbons as energy source until replacement comes along, also renewable energy. About being in Perth, generating subsea technology, talk and listen to people, research centres like ACOSP and CMST. Acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the elders, past present and future traditions that they hold. Thanks to the organising committee and sponsors.

The SUT is an international body actively promoting the development, dissemination and exchange of ideas, information and technology related to the underwater environment.

Thanks to David Brooks, President of SUT. Welcome to the Hon. Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, Training for the Premier who is in Japan, and Helen Liddell, British High Commissioner to Australia. The Minister noted the NW Shelf and that more than luck is needed to establish ourselves as hub for the petroleum industry. The deep waters off the coast of WA, requiring subsea development technology to reduce production costs.

Woodside Browse, Chevron LNG, BHP and others are utilising subsea for 40% of Australian production rising to 80%. WA is base for Australian offshore oil and gas industry and will remain central - sometimes hope the east coast will remember that. Noting there are workshops on reliability, commercialisation of technology... officially open the Perth Subsea Technology Conference.

Over the course of the conference it became clear that while there is an incredible capability there are sometimes impenetrable barriers to cooperative development in the exploitation of new technologies that are sorely needed. The barriers are not only based on conservative business assumptions but also the tyranny of distance from another colony whereas some of the American companies operating in WA, for example, merely operate under instruction from afar - uninterested in local innovation.