A UK-based energy expert has called for the Norwegian and UK governments to agree a united regulatory regime to enable better standardization efforts around the North Sea.
Philip Lambert, CEO at Lambert Energy (right), said there should be a pan-North Sea effort at standardization, through a common regulatory regime, which would have greater potential to reduce costs. “As a pan North Sea region, we could cut unnecessary costs on a pan-region basis. We should work together as a region,” he rallied.
Standardization has become a buzz word for the Norwegian industry, amid rising costs per barrel on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, dominating debates at ONS and other Norwegian conferences, such as the Underwater Technology Conference. Read more: Costs high on the agenda. Subsea realities.
Questioned if a pan-European regulatory regime would be possible, both from a government and industry perspective, he said: “The market cannot fix it in Norway. Because of the structure in place a rig can cost $100 million more a day on the UKCS compared to the UK. That could be fixed by a pan North Sea agreement. If we except the North Sea has led the way in its safety regime, why do we need different regimes? If it is too difficult for four governments to discuss this, then start with two.”
