A Sea of Opportunity - in Norwich next week

The opportunities in the Southern North Sea are set to take centre stage at a major industry conference in Norwich next week.

The annual Southern North Sea (SNS) conference, this year titled The Sea of Opportunity, is run by sector group East of England Energy Group (Eeegr).

Its chief executive, John Best, said: 'We have a strong track record of talking about the way we can share knowledge and expertise to make sure the East of England gains most from its prime position in the energy industry. Now it is time to deliver.

'In the multi-billion pound business that awaits in the Southern North Sea – our Sea of Opportunity – there will inevitably be competition; fierce competition.

'But there must also be collaboration – an understanding, learning and pooling of the wonderful assets and skills to make sure we do not waste the opportunities knocking on our door.'

The conference, at the Holiday Inn, Norwich International airport, on Thursday, February 24, will launch with Perenco's John Sewell and Shell's Rob Nibbelke both looking at the major role Southern North Sea gas still has for the UK's energy supplies and its economy.

Paul Lafferty, of E.ON Ruhrgas, will tell how his company is developing its energy infrastructure in the Southern North Sea and across the region.

The focus will switch to the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the afternoon with Natural Power's Jeremy Sainsbury and Vattenfall's David Hodkinson among guest speakers.

Events manager Holly Harvey said: 'Delegates will be interested to hear more positive news about how Lowestoft offshore engineering company SLP is developing since being taken over by Dutch group Smulders. There's also a presentation on how the emerging world of carbon capture and storage can be delivered across the UK.'

Visit www.eeegr.com