Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Prospects for long-term smart, sustainable development of European offshore industry and its relations with the EU’s maritime sectors’ (own-initiative opinion)
Date: 2015-09-16
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: North Sea, coastal region, employment policy, gas field, innovation, offshore oil structure, shipbuilding, soft energy, sustainable development, underwater mineral resources








C_2016013EN.01007301.xml










15.1.2016   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 13/73





Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Prospects for long-term smart, sustainable development of European offshore industry and its relations with the EU’s maritime sectors’
(own-initiative opinion)
(2016/C 013/12)







Rapporteur:




Mr Marian KRZAKLEWSKI






Co-rapporteur:




Mr José Custódio LEIRIÃO





On 22 January 2015, the European Economic and Social Committee, acting under Rule 29(2) of the Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an own-initiative opinion on:

Prospects for long-term smart, sustainable development of European offshore industry and its relations with the EU’s maritime sectors.

(own-initiative opinion)
The Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI), which was responsible for preparing the Committee’s work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 15 July 2015. The rapporteur was Marian Krzaklewski and the co-rapporteur was José Custódio Leirião.
At its 510th plenary session, held on 16 and 17 September 2015 (meeting of 16 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 132 votes to 1 with 3 abstentions.
1.   Conclusions and recommendations









1.1.


The offshore industry comprises the sectors of energy production, and extraction of gas, oil and minerals from the sea. The EESC believes that some of the most rapidly developing markets are linked to these sectors, offering potential for long-term, sustainable and smart growth.












1.2.


The EESC is convinced that, in order to ensure the sustainable development of the offshore industry, a framework is needed for a coherent European strategic vision, providing advanced technologies and innovative solutions for this industry. Technologies are at the core of such a strategic framework.












1.3.


The Committee believes that there is currently no comprehensive European strategic vision for offshore industry as a whole or its component sectors. Although the Commission and Council are gradually expanding the scope of regulation for this industry, particularly for the offshore oil and gas sector, these actions appear to lack a consistent and comprehensive vision.












1.4.


The EESC feels that the lack of a strategic framework for offshore industry also stems from insufficient cooperation between offshore industry, EU institutions, Member States and civil society organisations. The Committee therefore feels that the idea of creating and implementing a European strategic vision for offshore industry would make it possible to achieve an effective level of cooperation that would benefit stakeholders, including other industries (e.g. tourism) that use offshore resources.












1.5.


Regarding previous proposals, the EESC is concerned about the absence of Commission representatives both at the two study group meetings and at the public hearing in Aberdeen, held as part of the preparatory work on an own-initiative opinion on European offshore industry.












1.6.


Comprehensive analysis of the relations between offshore industry and the European maritime industry confirms that offshore industry generates very strong, often green, drivers for the European maritime industry, particularly for the shipbuilding, repair and equipment sectors. It could be argued that the European shipbuilding industry has avoided the loss of critical mass that had until recently been threatening it thanks to demand from offshore industry.












1.7.


The Committee considers that, in the light of the ongoing process of implementing the Safety of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations Directive, the European Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, should organise a system of verification and indicate ways of increasing the financing capacity of economic operators in the sector to cover remedial measures taken in response to accidents.












1.7.1.


A ‘safety culture’ programme should be prepared and implemented and action taken to promote and support the accreditation of training institutions by offshore industrial firms to carry out more extensive training in the field of safety and environmental protection. The EESC notes that achieving a high level of safety in offshore industry also depends on ensuring good working conditions at sea.












1.8.


The EESC proposes that the Commission and the Member States concerned, in cooperation with the ILO and the social partners, take steps to assess the possibility of extending the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to workers employed in the offshore oil and gas and offshore wind energy sectors in the EU and the EEA.












1.9.


The Committee believes that the Commission and the European sectoral social partners representing the offshore industry should use the good example of the 2009 Directive implementing the Agreement concluded by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) on the Maritime Labour Convention.












1.10.


In view of the forecast shortage of qualified workers and skills in offshore industry in the EU and the EEA, the EESC considers that this problem should be addressed by ensuring good working conditions (enforcement of Maritime Labour Convention regulations) and applying policies for adapting skills and training and encouraging young people to work at sea.












1.11.


In connection with offshore industry, the Commission and the Member States should promote cooperation and public-private partnership (PPP), including: joint ventures, guarantees, and arrangements for sharing production and concessions. Coordination should cover the legal framework, spatial planning, geological surveys and environmental protection in relation to the question of the sustainable use of energy resources.












1.12.


The EESC considers that one of the dimensions of the Europeanisation of the offshore extractive sector should be the Commission’s involvement in a broad programme of geological surveys using ICT to provide data for more sustainable — current and future — exploitation of marine resources.












1.13.


The EESC believes that the major challenges for offshore industry in the face of global and European competition and regulatory requirements are:






—


extraction in deep waters, and — in the offshore wind energy sector — the move towards siting installations at greater distances from shore and in deeper open waters,










—


procedures for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in offshore mining in compliance with environmental requirements,










—


management of ageing offshore installation infrastructure,










—


discovery, inventory and exploitation of resources in Arctic areas,










—


response to the green impetus of the Marpol Convention, the Ballast Water Management Convention and the Ship Recycling Regulation.
















1.14.


The EESC encourages cooperation networks of offshore industry sectors, coastal regions and businesses in the supply chain with research centres and universities in the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme and projects in the area of ‘smart specialisation’. Within this cooperation, issues concerning innovation and ecology should have a greater role and use should be made of the opportunity created by the European Fund for Strategic Investment.












1.14.1.


The EESC calls on the Commission to consider making adjustments to the Structural Funds or the Juncker plan to support investment in innovation in the offshore industry.












1.15.


The Committee believes it is necessary to update the Europe 2020 strategy (review) to meet the EU requirements relating to maritime activities, projects, resources, a skilled workforce, and financing and promoting sustainable development, bearing in mind the wide range and variety of the types of work and skills that are necessary in the area of offshore activities.












1.16.


The EESC calls on the European Commission to promote a debate on the potential for a specific strategy for the North Sea covering the challenges for sustainable and competitive offshore industries in Europe.




2.   Background









2.1.


The offshore industry mainly comprises offshore energy production and the gas, oil and mineral extraction sectors. Taking account of the supply and services chain, the industry is linked with the following maritime sectors: shipbuilding, ship repairs, maintenance and conversion as well as shipping equipment and supplies and offshore industrial installations.












2.2.


Linked to offshore sectors, European industry has both specialist expertise and the requisite human potential to enable it to effectively reap the benefits of participating in markets associated with all offshore sectors.












2.3.


The following were presented in the analysis of the state of the European offshore industry and assessment of its prospects for long-term and sustainable development:






—


the situation of the offshore oil and gas industry in the global context and the challenges and driving factors;










—


general characteristics of the offshore wind energy sector in the EU;










—


relations between the European maritime industry and offshore industry;










—


analysis of the need for innovation and sustainable development in the context of current challenges and potential areas for development of the European offshore industry;










—


the proposal to ensure that there is a social, sustainable development dimension in employment matters in offshore industry;










—


the EU regulatory framework for European offshore industry;










—


the idea of promoting an EU North Sea strategy addressing the challenges facing a sustainable and competitive offshore industry.








3.   The European offshore oil and gas extraction industry: current situation of the sector









3.1.


Petroleum products and gas accounted for 26 % of Europe’s energy mix in 2012; the largest contribution came from nuclear energy — representing 29 % — and renewables, including hydroelectric power, at 22 %.












3.1.1.


The EU is the world’s largest energy importer, importing 53 % of its energy at an annual cost of EUR 400 billion. 88 % of oil and 66 % of gas is imported, mainly from Russia.












3.2.


The main problem for the offshore oil and gas sector in Europe is the question of whether the traditional European offshore oil and gas industry will grow, against a background of diversification and the challenges arising from the development of renewables and the efficient management of these changes in the sector.












3.3.


The offshore oil and gas industry in Europe is characterised by:






—


high operating costs;










—


high environmental risks and a high level of regulation;










—


the need to operate at greater depths;










—


tax risks — low prices leading to high investment risks;










—


potential problems with cheap products from the USA.
















3.4.


Current challenges facing the European offshore oil and gas industry include:






—


the need for seismic surveys in order to update the maps of geological deposits;










—


lack of harmonisation and sharing of data, which slows down the pace of development;










—


pressure from producer countries on the discovery of new deposits;










—


problems with tenders for extraction involving national and international companies;










—


management of the sector’s lifecycle in successive stages: prospecting/discovery/FEED (1)/production/decomposition.
















3.4.1.


New challenges for the industry include:






—


a reduction in available resources;










—


the fall in oil prices and competition from new, cheap, related raw materials;










—


issues related to entrepreneurship and government support for new businesses;










—


boosting growth through innovation and internationalisation of the industry;










—


the question of growth driven by the ‘green economy’.
















3.5.


The European offshore oil and gas industry deserves support, because:






—


it exhibits the characteristics of a sustainable industry that takes the EU regulatory framework into account;










—


it provides, directly or indirectly, almost 600 000 jobs (including Norway);










—


it is one of the main drivers of the EU maritime industry;










—


it contributes to positive social transformation in the regions;










—


it makes a significant contribution to the budgetary revenue of the Member States;










—


it plays a leading role in innovation and technological progress in engineering;










—


it is characterised by substantial and growing exports from companies in the supply chain, which compensates for possible loss of revenue from the production of fuels.
















3.6.


The results of a SWOT analysis of the offshore oil and gas industry were presented at the hearing in Aberdeen (2); these, together with the proposals put forward during the discussions, have been set out in the Annex.




4.   The offshore energy market in the EU









4.1.


There are approximately 2 500 turbines operating in EU seas, with a total capacity of over 8 GW in 11 countries. The EU’s share in global production is almost 90 %. After the 12 current projects are completed, the installed capacity will rise to 10,9 GW. Wind power currently provides 7 % of the EU’s energy, 1/7 of which comes from offshore wind energy.












4.2.


Current development and innovation trends in this sector concern: turbines, foundations and installations at greater depths and greater distances from shore.












4.3.


Financial planning is becoming an increasingly important tool in the development of offshore wind energy. In 2014, this industry took out non-recourse loans of EUR 3,14 billion (3), which is the largest amount received in the history of this industry. Financial partnerships are the key to success.












4.4.


The outlook for the coming years is for a further increase of installed capacity. As for the more distant future, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) estimates that construction is already authorised for new farms with a total capacity of 26,4 GW and long-term plans refer to an increase of 98 GW.












4.5.


According to EWEA data, at the end of 2011, 192 000 people were employed in the wind energy sector in Europe, of which approximately 30-40 000 were employed in the offshore wind energy sector.












4.6.


Installed ocean energy capacity in the EU is approximately 1,5 GW (one sixth that of offshore wind energy, but it is predicted to reach 3,6 GW by 2020). Installations using energy from ocean waves, tides and currents and salinity gradients and conversion of ocean thermal energy into electricity contribute to this.




5.   Economic relations between the European maritime industry and offshore industry









5.1.


In 2014 the global value of contracts for ships was USD 370 billion, of which 170 billion was for offshore vessels. Global demand for various offshore vessels in 2014-2025 is estimated to be between 1 230 and 1 970 vessels. Demand for industrial submersibles will increase by 180 %, and between 50 and 60 % for installation vessels or those serving wind farms or floating offshore installations.












5.2.


Contracts for all types of vessels are predicted to increase by 3,7 % by 2025, which, compared to the much higher forecasts for offshore vessels shows how powerful the offshore industry is and will be as a driving force for shipbuilding. In Europe in 2014 the share of offshore vessels in total shipbuilding production was 30 %.












5.3.


The European maritime equipment industry, which is the world leader in production of drilling modules, engines, winches, cranes and electronics for the offshore sector, is similarly closely connected with the offshore industry.












5.4.


Offshore energy is a green driving force for maritime industry. Its total global potential is estimated at over EUR 19 billion in 2012-2022 (approximately EUR 2 billion per year). These estimates are based on the number of ships and equipment required to build and use the planned wind farms.












5.5.


A new kind of demand for products and services from the European maritime industry is also appearing in connection with moving operations to greater depths, mainly in the offshore oil and gas sector and offshore energy.












5.6.


Melting in Arctic areas is creating prospects for extraction of raw materials and waterways (although this is not a particularly ‘green’ driving force). This trend is linked, among other things, to the anticipated demand for construction of ice-breaking vessels and ice-strengthened transport and service ships.












5.7.


The relatively new ocean energy sector will also be an increasingly significant green driving force for the European maritime industry, mainly in sectors associated with SEA Europe.












5.8.


The range of products of the shipbuilding sector for the offshore oil and gas industry is linked to the lifecycle of this industry as follows:






—


exploration and identification of deposits creates demand for support vessels,










—


offshore drilling ships and installations are needed for drilling,










—


managing the deposits creates the need for specialised construction vessels,










—


floating installations for extraction and storage are needed when the fields are in use,










—


when decommissioning fields, vessels are used for installing wind turbines or other offshore equipment.
















5.9.


The amount of offshore drilling needs to be increased significantly to ensure future supplies of oil and gas. This is linked to the significant demand for technically advanced platform modules and for repair and conversion of different types of installations and offshore drilling towers. These services are an important source of profit for the EU shipbuilding and repair sectors.












5.10.


A new specialist area in shipbuilding is bringing interesting prospects — ships not only for transporting floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) but also providing various services for the offshore oil and gas industry, including replacing LNG land terminals with mobile ones. This concerns the FPSO LNG (floating production, storage and offloading of liquefied natural gas support vessels) and FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) versions.












5.11.


European ports can also take advantage of the driving factors related to the offshore industry. This applies to handling general cargo and components for offshore wind energy: segments of towers, generators and rotor blades and other equipment ordered by the offshore industry.




6.   The need for innovation and sustainable development in the context of current challenges and potential fields for development of European offshore industries









6.1.


European investment in innovation has continued to lag behind its larger competitors (the USA) in the past decade. This impacts all industrial sectors, including offshore oil and gas.












6.2.


One of the main challenges for the oil and gas sector is to ensure the safe exploitation of its ageing assets. On average 30 % of platforms in the world have been in operation for more than 20 years and many of them have exceeded their original planned lifespan.












6.3.


The main areas requiring action in the context of ageing assets in the offshore oil and gas sector are:






—


monitoring and understanding of the integrity of materials;










—


understanding of corrosion under insulation;










—


the problem of inspection, repair and maintenance issues in the context of the management of ageing;










—


recovery of old equipment.
















6.4.


Growth of the sector depends on innovative technologies to support extraction, making it possible to ‘squeeze’ as much as possible out of ageing installations and extend the lives of some production fields.












6.4.1.


New technologies also play a key role in deep-sea prospecting and production, which require billions of euros in investment. The development of new technologies aims to reduce costs and operational risks and the exploitation of wells in high temperature and pressure conditions.












6.5.


The EESC believes that the Commission should consider making adjustments to the Structural Funds or the Juncker plan to support investment in innovation in the offshore industry, mainly in the areas of:






—


ageing infrastructure and ensuring continuity of production;










—


new technologies for ‘squeezing’ production out of older oil and gas fields;










—


the increasing complexity of production wells.









New areas of development









6.6.


Developing shale gas while meeting environmental requirements is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect for the offshore oil and gas sector too. This is due to significant improvements in the technology for hydraulic fracturing of underwater rock. Sequestration of CO2 at sea could be another green growth factor for the offshore industry in the race to develop a low-carbon economy.












6.7.


Other new development areas are production of multifunctional industrial platforms after pilot projects (7th Framework Programme) and construction of complete installations and equipment for obtaining energy from ocean waves and tides.












6.8.


The challenge for EU policymakers is to harness the potential of Horizon 2020 to maximise research and innovation (4) within the European offshore industry.




7.   The EU regulatory framework for European offshore industry









7.1.


Europe’s offshore industry operates against a background of continuously increasing regulation. The main provisions affecting these industries include:






—


EU directives on: emissions (IED), integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) and the limitation of emissions of pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive);










—


the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants (MCP Directive), which affects the production of oil and gas;










—


the Emissions Trading System (ETS);










—


the directive on maritime safety.
















7.2.


The Directive on safety of offshore oil and gas operations entered into force in 2013 and is to be incorporated into national legal systems by July 2015; the industry must adapt to new standards by July 2016.












7.2.1.


In order to have a global impact and be able to monitor major accidents in Europe and further afield, there must be cooperation between the Commission, Member States and specialised companies in the following areas:






—


publication of a guide to the impact on risk;










—


creation of a safety culture in this area;










—


accreditation of training institutions by mining companies to provide more extensive training;










—


drawing-up of a code of best practice;










—


promotion of partnership between investors and Member States;










—


cooperation between Member States and investors in sensitive strategic areas and in offshore projects promoting PPPs for sustainable development and to allow the offshore industry to influence other industries, such as for example tourism and fisheries;










—


cooperation in protecting critical offshore infrastructure against terrorism and piracy.
















7.3.


Representatives of the industry currently consider the work on the reference document (BREF) on the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the EU using high-volume hydraulic fracturing to be a delicate regulatory issue.












7.4.


Also in the context of the impact of regulation on the development of all sectors of the offshore industry, compliance is required with the most recent (July 2014) Directive establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning.












7.5.


Communication COM(2008) 699 on raw materials policy, which maps out a path to greater international cooperation between national geological surveys with the aim of increasing the EU’s knowledge base, should also have an indirect impact on the offshore extractive industry.












7.6.


The following are also no less important regulatory and political issues with an impact on the entire European offshore industry:






—


the impact of the Maritime Labour Convention;










—


the impact of the MARPOL Convention (SO2 and NO2 limits) and the Ballast Water Management Convention.








8.   How can the difficulties in ensuring that there is a social, sustainable development dimension in employment matters in the offshore industry be overcome?









8.1.


The great diversity of the European offshore industry and the significant impact of globalisation on this sector of the economy, as well as the still unresolved problems with social dumping and achieving a level playing field in this industry, have resulted in a complex situation with regard to labour issues. This is compounded by problems in the areas of social dialogue, collective labour relations and social standards.












8.1.1.


These issues could be addressed comprehensively on the basis of the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which is currently entering into force, and the EU Regulation implementing it.












8.1.2.


Unfortunately, opportunities for the broad application of this Convention in the offshore industry are still limited. This stems both from the lack of precise provisions in the MLC relating to offshore workers and the attitude of governments, operators and owners. This situation is further compounded by the existing problems in the EU with the registers of vessels and floating industrial equipment.












8.2.


The EESC believes that the Commission and the European sectoral social partners representing the offshore industry should use the 2008 Directive implementing the Agreement concluded by the ECSA and the ETF on the Maritime Labour Convention, which is a good template.












8.2.1.


The collective agreement of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) could be a model solution for the offshore industry. Currently, its implementation is hampered by a lack of willingness on the part of national authorities, the situation regarding the registers of vessels, the unsatisfactory state of social dialogue and the high rate of participation in the labour market of people employed on ‘junk’ contracts and the false self-employed.




9.   European Strategy for The North Sea









9.1.


The oil and gas industry has been 50 years in the making with estimates of another 50 years to go and it is facing a significantly changing energy environment as follows:






—


an increased share of energy generated from renewables,










—


an increased share of energy generated locally and from a mix of locally based sources,










—


challenges in the ability of the current transmission system to balance supply with demand,










—


EU 2030 Carbon Goals.




The question is: is the traditional O&G sector up to the major challenge of diversifying into the renewables sector and of managing such a change?












9.2.


The North Sea Commission is intended to work with the House of Lords to involve the UK Government in promoting an integrated approach to maritime spatial planning in the North Sea Basin and to developing a communication document and strategy to identify the benefits to the public of a North Sea energy grid.












9.3.


The EESC calls on the European Commission to promote a debate on the potential for a specific strategy for the North Sea covering the challenges for sustainable and competitive offshore industries in Europe, involving:






—


product and design










—


society










—


production










—


legislation










—


financing.









Brussels, 16 September 2015.


The President of the European Economic and Social Committee

Henri MALOSSE




(1)  FEED — Front-End Engineering Design.

(2)  Liam Smyth — Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

(3)  The European offshore wind industry — key trends and statistics 2014.


(4)  Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth, COM(2014) 254 final (OJ C 12, 15.1.2015, p. 93).


ANNEX
Results of the SWOT analysis of the European offshore oil and gas industry







S — Strengths




W — Weaknesses











—


Experience gained in difficult operating conditions and in deep waters










—


Globally acknowledged know-how










—


Highly qualified and experienced workers










—


The clustered nature of the industry












—


High production costs










—


Production is less efficient than expected










—


Uncertain tax position










—


Ageing infrastructure










—


Poor cooperation









O — Opportunities




T — Threats











—


Discovery of new mining areas with lower operating and development costs










—


Export of products, equipment and knowledge to new markets










—


Cooperation in the areas of: common design/standardisation, use of infrastructure and knowledge exchange










—


‘Reaching an agreement’ on a sensible and realistic adjustment of remuneration levels










—


Making use of the EU’s reindustrialisation programme












—


Fall in global oil prices










—


Job cuts in the sector in response to the sharp drop in oil prices in late 2014/early 2015










—


Large-scale retirements of skilled workers within the next 10 years










—


Falling prices following the growth in extraction from tar sands and shale in the USA










—


Slowdown in economic growth in Asia










—


OPEC approach to production limits