Petrofed and Robert Gordon University (RGU) join forces to support India’s oil and gas skills ambitions

Robert Gordon University (RGU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Petroleum Federation of India (Petrofed) to enhance the sharing of industry knowledge and best practice between the regions and promote joint training programmes and study visits.

The MoU has come on the back of Robert Gordon University receiving funding from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office to develop a training framework for the Indian energy sector and a visit from the Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, to Robert Gordon University in September 2016.

The main objective of the MoU is to enhance the relationship between RGU and the member companies of PetroFed for development of technical and managerial skills for the hydrocarbon sector in India.

Dr Malhotra, Director General of PetroFed, said: “India has ambitions to increase its share of hydrocarbon production domestically and reducing its energy import by 10% by 2022 and becoming energy self-sufficient, as stated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister.

“With a view to providing a sustainable workforce and delivering the planned growth in hydrocarbon exploration and production, we have joined hands with RGU to assess the need for oil and gas sector related skills.

“Under this MoU, we may subsequently develop tailor-made training programmes with RGU to cater to specific skill needs of Indian hydrocarbon sector. We would also develop opportunities to jointly promote and deliver training programmes, seminars or conferences and research collaboration and consultancy between RGU and PetroFed members.”

Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director of Robert Gordon University’s Oil and Gas Institute (OGI), added: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with India. Our collaboration with Petrofed will lay the foundation for exchanging expertise between the Indian oil and gas industry and Robert Gordon University.

“Through our relationship, Petrofed members will be able to draw on our expertise, particularly in the areas of deep-water drilling and subsea. “The MoU will also help to accelerate skills development in support of the Government’s vision to increase domestic production and to reduce the country’s dependence on hydrocarbon imports.”

The OGI provides access to world-class expertise in the critical areas of drilling and wells, operations, decommissioning, operations, subsea and business excellence.

Led by industry experts and academics, the Institute works closely with the sector on the research and education required to maximize recovery of the world’s hydrocarbon resources and to address the key challenges in the oil and gas industry.

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