Day 1
08:30 - REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS
09:00 - CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS
Tim Fox, Head of Energy and Environment, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
09:10 - KEYNOTE: THE ROLE OF UKOOG IN THE UK SHALE GAS MARKET
Ken Cronin, Chief Executive Officer, UKOOG
• Representing the UK oil and gas onshore industry and supporting the exploration and production of shale gas
• Working with the industry to ensure guidelines are established and implemented effectively
• UKOOG’s main areas of priorities to boost shale gas development between 2015 and 2020
09:40 - HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR ONSHORE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
Tony Almond, Offshore and Pipelines Policy Team, HSE
• Providing a safe operating environment throughout the lifecycle of shale gas wells
• Ensuring well operators are maintaining the highest level of safety particularly in well integrity
• Working with the Environment Agency to minimise the risk of leaks and water contamination
10:10 - ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS AND REGULATION IN ENGLAND
Tony Grayling, Director Sustainable Business and Development, Environment Agency
• The role and approach of the Environment Agency in regulating onshore oil and gas
• Working with HSE to ensure that environmental standards are met
• Engaging with local communities on environmental permitting decisions
10:40 - NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK
11:10 - SHALE GAS SUPPLY SCENARIOS
Simon Durk, Gas Supply Manager, Energy Strategy and Policy, National Grid
• Projecting shale scenarios from no progression to successful development
• Accumulating sufficient production data
• Working with industry to support a future supply chain
11:40 - EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF OPERATIONAL DRILLING AND ACTIVE WELLS
Eric Vaughan, Well Services Director, Cuadrilla Resources
• Preparation prior to drilling; identifying the location and setting up the drilling rig
• Materials used to support the drilling process
• Highlighting the potential engineering challenges associated with drilling shale gas wells in the UK
12:10 - LOCATION, PLANNING AND PREPARATION: A CASE STUDY
John Blaymires, Chief Operating Officer, IGas Energy
• The engineering challenges associated with unconventional gas
• Technology and equipment to enhance the success of drilling
• A step-by-step insight into the production cycle of shale gas
12:30 - NETWORKING LUNCH
13:30 - FROM START TO FINISH: USING AND DISPOSING OF WATER IN THE HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PROCESS
Steve Thompsett, Executive Director, UKOOG
• An insight into the whole lifecycle process of integrated water management from baseline monitoring to shale gas extraction
• Safely storing water and understanding the potential risks of underground storage
• Raising awareness and safety standards when operating in a densely populated area
14:00 - ADHERING TO STANDARDS TO MINIMISE CONTAMINATION
Ian Davey, Senior Advisor, Environment Agency
• Upholding the Environment Agency’s high standards of ensuring a minimum impact operating environment for shale gas operators
• Measures to reduce water contamination, including the monitoring of storage reservoirs
• Ways to minimise the risks associated with hazardous water storage
14:30 - NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK
15:00 - SUPPORTING THE SCIENCE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC
Mathew Humphrey and Sarah O’Hara, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham
• An overview of UoN Public Perceptions of Shale Gas Report
• Defining shale gas as an acceptable energy source in public discourse
• Understanding public perceptions and how facts can alter such perceptions
15:30 - THE TECHNICAL REALITIES OF SHALE GAS EXTRACTION AND PRODUCTION
Greg McKenna, Director of Non-Operated Assets, Centrica
• Understanding an engineer’s role in shale gas development
• The practicalities of engineering shale gas production
• Trying to educate and reassure the public through facts as opposed to myths – how should engineers communicate on shale gas?
16:00 - PANEL SESSION: HOW WILL THE UK RETAIN AND SUPPORT THE TRANSFERENCE OF ENGINEERING SKILL SETS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT SHALE GAS DEVELOPMENT?
Tim Fox, Head of Energy and Environment, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Gordon Ballard, Chairman, OPITO
Ken Cronin, Chief Executive Officer, UKOOG
John McDonald, UK Managing Director, OPITO
• Can current training and education for engineers be applied to the shale gas industry?
• How do industry and operators plan to attract young engineers?
• Will the role of engineers increase should momentum build in 2015?
16:20 - CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS
16:30 - CLOSE OF SEMINAR