NSTA extends free access to online technology platform
(WO) – A pilot scheme providing free access to an online platform that raises awareness of emerging and field-proven technologies and encourages their use has been extended in response to popular demand.
The number of UK users on the UK Energy Technology Platform (UKETP) went up by 67% to 892 after the North Sea Transition Authority provided £27,500 to let suppliers and operators visit it free during the six months to May 2023.
UK suppliers added 69 more live technologies to the site during this period, taking the UK total to 206 and global total to more than 660.
Following this initial success, the NSTA has agreed to make a further £30,000 available to allow users to enjoy continued free access for six months, to 15 November 2023.
The online platform is used by suppliers to promote innovative, field-ready technologies designed to support North Sea operations that will help bolster the UK’s energy security, reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to net zero.
Potential customers can get detailed information about tools ranging from low-erosion drill bits to valves for carbon dioxide injection and see which companies have used them previously, giving them added confidence that the solutions will meet their needs.
The pilot’s extension should result in a further boost to user registrations and the number of technologies being showcased globally on the platform, and ultimately adopted.
UKETP complements the NSTA’s Energy Pathfinder portal, which provides greater visibility of upcoming North Sea projects and contracting opportunities, giving the UK’s world-class supply chain more confidence to invest in new skills and technologies. Importantly, Pathfinder also lists the contact details of the relevant person at the company awarding the work.
Carlo Procaccini, NSTA Chief Technical Officer, said, “The UKETP has proven to be a valuable tool for accelerating the uptake of relevant technology. Thanks to the platform, UK operators have hundreds of technologies at their fingertips to optimize economic recovery whilst reducing emissions during our energy transition journey to net zero.”
Colin Black, managing director of Carjon-NRG and UKETP Partner at TechnologyCatalogue.com, said, “The UKETP was developed to address a lack of visibility of emerging and field proven technologies identified by the Efficiency Task Force, which ran from 2015-2020 and was led by Offshore Energies UK. Significant improvements can be realized by deploying technologies which have been successfully used by others, and that is exactly what the platform enables.”
