A new oil and gas sector forum, looking at SAP plant maintenance and operations software applications for the upstream oil and gas sector, will launch in Aberdeen next week.
Specialist software consultancy Absoft, one of the largest independent SAP providers in the UK, will welcome companies from across the sector – including major operators – to its offices at Campus One, Aberdeen Science and Technology Park.
Aimed at maintenance and asset integrity decision-makers, the forum will begin with open discussions on current plant maintenance and operational issues facing the industry.
The forum is expected to convene quarterly, in rotation with Absoft’s existing oil and gas supply chain forum which was created for the upstream oil and gas supply chain in 2007.
Tim Galloway, oil and gas sales manager at Absoft, says: “The forum is the first of its kind in the region and has been formed in response to demand from our clients and the wider industry.
“SAP is used by a significant number of energy companies and we felt that creating an arena where good practice and topical issues could be discussed would be useful, helping businesses to make the most of their investment in the system.
“While we at Absoft will act as facilitator, the idea is that agendas for the forum will be driven by the companies that take part.”
Participants will have a chance to hear from and ask questions of SAP experts, as well as taking part in problem-solving discussions with maintenance and operations professionals from other companies.
During the first session, Absoft senior SAP plant maintenance consultant Martin Kelly will lead discussions focussing on overcoming challenges such as KPI and SCE reporting, referring to custom-built solutions Absoft has implemented for mainstream oil and gas operators.
Mr Kelly will also outline how Absoft’s catalogue of SAP reporting enhancements can be adapted to provide individual, cost-effective plant maintenance and operations reporting solutions.