Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen is establishing an International Institute for Oil and Gas, as part of the university’s strategy to build on its achievements in this sector and to develop its reputation as a global leader in oil and gas-related training and high value research directly relevant to the sector.
RGU, in developing its new Oil and Gas Strategy, will invest £8 million over five years and will recruit leading experts with global standing in oil and gas to Aberdeen. Specific areas of focus will include brownfield development through enhanced oil recovery, asset integrity, subsea engineering and decommissioning; unconventional oil and gas; leadership; industry collaboration; oil and gas finance and economics and applied offshore healthcare.
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Principal of RGU said, “The university has an international reputation for focused and relevant engagement with industry. This investment, which reflects RGU’s priority commitment to oil and gas, will secure for the North-East of Scotland high value expertise that will support the industry in exploiting the oil reserves in the UKCS and in building up innovation and enterprise in the supply chain. We are keen that Aberdeen’s oil and gas community supports us in this important new initiative, and I am delighted to announce the first significant donation - £500,000 from the Wood Family Trust to our Foundation for the new Institute.”
Chairman of Wood Family Trust, Sir Ian Wood, who was present at the launch event said, “It is essential for both the UK and Aberdeen’s future growth and prosperity that we maximize recovery of our offshore oil and gas resource. The creation of RGU’s new Oil and Gas Institute will provide an important focus for the sector as a whole – it will attract and develop expertise in key areas such as exploration, infrastructure, regional hub development, production efficiency, improved and enhanced oil recovery and decommissioning at a critical time in the development of the North Sea. Wood Family Trust hopes that this donation will give a good start towards the £8 million investment needed to deliver the Institute.”
rgu.ac.uk