A delegation from a Brazilian multi-national oil and gas company will visit Newton Aycliffe to learn from the expertise of leading supply chain companies in the offshore wind sector.
Petrobras is involved in developing Brazil’s own fledgling offshore wind industry and is on a fact-finding mission to study how the region has been able to position itself as a global leader in the offshore wind industry.
During the visit, the delegates – accompanied by members of the Department for International Trade Brazil – will take part in three days of activities hosted by Durham-based NOF Energy.
This includes a number of site visits to sector specialists across the region including Wilton Engineering, PD Ports, DeepOcean, Osbit and Smulders Projects UK.
They will also attend Offshore Wind North East, being held at the Xcel Centre on Aycliffe Business Park on Thursday November 8.
The conference – which is being organised by NOF Energy, the business development organisation for the oil, gas, power and renewables sector, in conjunction with Energi Coast and Subsea – will explore the opportunities available in the offshore wind energy sector and provides lucrative networking opportunities.
Petrobras recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Norwegian firm Equinor to evaluate a joint business development to establish offshore wind generation in Brazil.
The delegation includes a number of key members involved in the implementation, engineering and research of an offshore pilot project which Petrobras aims to have up and running in Rio Grande do Norte state by 2022.
The country has huge potential for wind energy generation and Petrobras has selected to visit the North East to examine how its world-leading supply chain companies supports the UK sector as well as international projects.
The region is home to an extremely strong supply chain cluster which is supported by high tech SMEs.
Joanne Leng, deputy chief Executive of NOF Energy, said: “The supply chain cluster in the North East is considered an exemplar within the industry and I’m confident Petrobras will gain a valuable insight into why it is a global leader in offshore wind energy.
“The fact the delegation has chosen to visit this region is an exceptional vote of confidence in the outstanding levels of expertise, knowledge and innovation based here.
“The UK and Brazil already has a positive relationship in the oil and gas sector and I hope this can be replicated in the offshore wind industry as the South American country develops its renewable infrastructure and capabilities.”
The oil and gas conference, held in conjunction with industry body Subsea UK, Subsea North East and Decom North Sea, will highlight opportunities in the exploration and discovery process, subsea and decommissioning sectors.
It will provide the chance for companies chasing contracts to meet key industry players and build up contacts with other supply chain firms.
For further details and tickets click here.