Monday 7 September 1998

Students Present Visions For Future Of North Sea

Young people from around the country will challenge senior North Sea oil and gas representatives with their own visions for the future of the industry at the British Association Annual Festival of Science at Cardiff University, 10-11 September.

Thirty-two 16 to 18 year olds from four secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales won their places in the Visions for the Future of North Sea Oil and Gas conference in a nation-wide competition organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science with sponsors UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), the representative body for the UK offshore oil and gas industry.

During the two day conference, the young delegates will interact with scientists and engineers, including leading industry representatives, through a programme of presentations, debates and question and answer sessions.

Topics on the agenda are:

* the multiple uses of hydrocarbons, both current and potential

* how science and technology have enhanced the efficiency of oil and gas recovery

* the impact of the industry on the environment and its obligations to environmental concerns

* managing reserves in the future and the transition to renewable energy sources

STUDENTS PRESENT VISIONS/2

The students will then prepare their responses in workshop sessions and discussion groups before presenting their own visions for the future of oil and gas to an invited audience of scientists, academics, industry representatives and the media.

James May, Director-General of UKOOA, said: Young people have strong views about the world they want to live in but rarely have the opportunity to make themselves heard. We wanted to give them that opportunity, providing information and insight into the oil and gas industry while, at the same time, prompting an informed debate about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, both today and in the future.

The issues identified by the students will be used to inform the planning and direction of UKOOAs future education activity while the conference will also provide stimulus material for use at other visions events to be held across the country from next Spring.

NOTE TO EDITORS

* JOURNALISTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE STUDENTS PRESENTATION ON FRIDAY,

11 SEPTEMBER AT 12 NOON, Room 150, Bute Building (first floor), Cardiff University.

* Participating schools:

St Simon Stock School, Maidstone, Kent. (Tel. 01622 754551) (School term started)

Beaverwood School for Girls, Chistlehurst, Kent. (Tel. 0181 300 3156) (School term starts 9.9.98)

Afon Taf High School, Troedyrhiw, Nr Cardiff. (Tel. 01443 690 401) (School term started)

Grantown Grammar School, Grantown on Spey. (Tel. 01479 872 649) (School term started)

 

Each school will send a team of up to eight pupils plus a teacher to the Visions for the Future Conference.

 

* Visions for the Future of North Sea Oil and Gas Conference Programme, Bute Building (first floor), Cardiff University.

THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 1998

1300 - LUNCH - students arrive

1400 - INTRODUCTION - the issues facing the oil and gas industry

1430 - PRESENTATION 1 - Hydrocarbons are clever things! - Mick Oates, BG Exploration and Production Ltd

1500 - PRESENTATION 2 - Managing the Future -Dr Bryan Taylor OBE, SolarSys Ltd

1600 - PRESENTATION 3 - Environmental Awareness - Simon Martyn, Earthwatch Institute

1630 - Workshop Briefing FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 1998

0930 - INTRODUCTION - James May, Director-General UKOOA

 

0935 - KEYNOTE SPEAKER (to be confirmed)

0950 - PRESENTATION 4 - Innovations in the North Sea - Brian Hamilton , Esso Exploration and Production UK Ltd

1020 - Student Breakout groups

1200 - Students present visions for the future of North Sea oil and gas to invited audience. Chaired by James May, Director-General, UKOOA

1300 - Close and lunch.

 

* The Competition

The schools were selected from a shortlist of eight in a nation-wide competition which invited students aged between 16 and 18 to express their views on the issues facing the North Sea oil and gas industry in the future.

 

Students could present their cases either in the form of a written document, a video or taped audio report.

 

Prizes for each winning school are an all expenses paid trip to the Annual Science Festival to take part in the Conference plus a cash prize of £250.

 

* UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for the UK Offshore oil and gas industry. Its 35 members are companies licensed by the Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters.

 

* Visions for the Future is a programme of conferences for 16 to 18 year olds organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The Association promotes the public understanding of science, engineering and technology and highlights their contribution to economic, cultural and social life.

Sallie Robins British Assoc. for the Advancement of Science 23 Savile Row London W1X 2NB

Tel: 0171 973 3078 Fax: 0171 973 3051 e-mail: Sallie.Robins@Britassoc.org.uk Internet: www.britassoc.org.uk

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.