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The Mining Institute of Scotland

NewsletterVolume 7, Issue 4 December 2016

President’s MessageWell a year has passed and I find myself writinganother December President’s Message. To start, Iwould like to welcome Lesley Cumberlege to Councilfollowing her return to Aberdeen from Azerbaijan.

In the absence of a Presidential Address this year’sprogramme of events started in November with a talkon a proposed new centre for school agetechnical/vocational education in Inverurie. Thissubject prompted some lively debate and questioningof the speakers on the possible implications of thechanges to pupils’ qualifications. There have beentwo joint meetings in Aberdeen on Oil and Gassubjects that were very well attended and aredescribed later in the Newsletter.

As mentioned in the Newsletter during the past yearthe future of energy supply in Scotland has been afrequent topic of discussion for Council. One of theelements of this is fracking and the ScottishGovernment has now published the six reports that itcommissioned from outside organisations on thepossible impacts. If you missed it, the fact that theywere released on the day of the US election may bethe reason. The reports are generally neutral tosupportive while highlighting the need for regulationsand supervision to ensure this. This is something thatour members in the Oil and Gas Division have alreadybeen working on.

It was good to hear the President of the IET on theToday programme recently extoling the points that Imade in this message last year that, when promotingthe engineering profession, we should beemphasising the wide diversity of subjects thatengineers get involved in during their careers and theopportunities that can come from an engineeringdegree. The problem that we have is that too manyengineering graduates already know this and thechallenge is to keep enough in the technicaldisciplines developing the skills that industry needs.We also need to make sure that there are sufficientundergraduate places available if we expect some tofollow other opportunities after graduation.

Have a happy and merry Christmas and I hope to seeyou at one of our meetings in the New Year.

Jon Latimer jrwlatimer@btinternet.com

St Andrews SeminarA student seminar was held on 3 October 2016 at theUniversity of St Andrews. Michael Van Mourik,President, Earth & Environmental Sciences welcomedeveryone. Students and staff listened to a series ofshort presentations. Students Craig Martin, AndrewWhyte, Max Meakins, and Jordon Lynch gave apresentation on their mapping of Illimaussaq and theEriskfjord area of South Greenland. These students’project was supported by IOM3. Jim Shields andRachel Long, BAM Ritchies spoke about UK rock fall,debris flow and landside protection with real timeexamples. Ian Merchant, Technip gave aninformative talk on the IOM3 and what it had to offerthe students and their professional development.Catherine Midona, Chair of Geology Society,University of St Andrews proposed a vote of thanks.

Student presenters on location in Greenland

Left to right: Rachel Long, Ian Merchant, Max Meakins, AndrewWhyte, Jim Shields, Jordon Lynch, Craig Martin, Catherine Midona

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YPLC 2017It's time again to get your application in for theScottish Heats of the IOM3 Young Persons’ LectureCompetition, at least if you are under 28 on 1 June2017. If you don't qualify, then why not encourage ayounger colleague to enter with a chance to win£250, and represent Scotland in the UK final at theArmourers Hall, London. In addition to the winner’sprize, 2

ndwill receive £150, and 3

rdwill receive £100.

As an added incentive, the UK winner will go on tothe Young Persons’ World Lecture Competition,which is expected to be held in Perth, Australia.

Our local heat will be held on 5 April 2017 in theIrvine Lecture Theatre, University of St Andrews.Entry Forms and further details are available from theSecretary (D.Seath@btinternet.com).

The aim of the Young Persons’ Lecture Competitionis to provide an atmosphere of friendly competitionfor young Materials, Minerals, Mining, Packaging,Clay Technology and Wood Science Scientists andEngineers so that their presentation skills willimprove whilst addressing an informed audience.

The Competition, sponsored by IOM3 with supportfrom the Worshipful Company of Armourers &Braziers, consists of a number of lecturecompetitions organised by the local societies, fromwhich six entrants, one from each region, will beselected to compete in the National Final. Thecompetition is open to anyone who is following, orhas followed, a course in any aspect of Materials,Minerals, Mining, Packaging, Clay Technology andWood Science, Science and Engineering. However,students and graduates from industry or academiamust be age 28 or under on 1 June 2017.

Each entrant will give a presentation lasting not morethan 15 minutes on a subject of their choice aboutany aspect of Materials, Minerals, Mining, Packaging,Clay Technology and Wood Science & Engineering.Marks will be awarded for (a) structure of the lecture,clarity of explanation and argument; (b) standard ofpresentation, clarity of diction, personal enthusiasmfor the subject, ability to deliver lecturespontaneously; (c) clarity and relevance of any visualaids used; (d) calmness and competence in handlingjudges’ questions; (e) technical content of thepresentation; (f) ability to deliver a concisemeaningful summary at the end of main points; and(g) clarity and relevance of the entrant’s abstract.Marks will be deducted for over-running of lecturetime. Travelling expenses will be paid for by MIS.

Should you wish to enter, please note that the EntryForm has to be returned to the Secretary by17 March 2017. For this local event it has beendecided to use the Abstract for selection of the finalsix (6) candidates going forward to make theirpresentation on 17 February. As more than 6 entriesare anticipated, candidates must give careful thoughtto the content of the 150 word maximum Abstract.

Presentation to IMechECraig Durham, Production Engineering Advisor atNexen Petroleum gave a talk at the Institution ofMechanical Engineers (IMechE) Aberdeen Sectionevening meeting on Wednesday, 7 December. Thepresentation on the Design and Operation ofIntelligent Well Technology (IWT) in the GoldenEagle Field continued a tradition of joint Decembermeetings with the IMechE/IOM3/MIS. During the45 minute talk, Craig gave an overview of the GoldenEagle development and explained the background tothe completion philosophy, the design of the IntervalControl Valves (ICVs), fibre optic downhole pressure,temperature and flowrate monitoring, and theoperating experience from the first two years ofproduction. He highlighted the added value that suchcompletions bring to production and reservoirmonitoring, particularly with regard to better reservoirmanagement and maximising economic recovery.And of course, being a talk to mechanical engineers,it was suitably illustrated with a photo of a beautifullymachined, bright shiny metal ICV.

The meeting attracted a good turnout of in excess of60 attendees and some interesting questions. Asone attendee noted “It was good to see theOperator’s viewpoint, explaining the benefits ofintelligent wells without the sales spin that a vendorwould put on it”.

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Mining MemorialsThe National Mining Museum Scotland houses aMemorial Room. A Museum Volunteer, Jim Henry, istrying to gather information about all the miningrelated memorials in Scotland. The most up-to-datelist which gives details of where the known memorialsare located can be viewed on the National MiningMuseum Scotland web site(www.nationalminingmuseum.com). If, after you lookat the list, you notice any memorials not listed, wouldyou please pass on details to Jim. He can becontacted via email: jamesjhenry@yahoo.co.uk or byphone on 0131 664 7185.

Oil & Gas DivisionSince the last Newsletter, Oil and Gas UK issued its2016 Report. Despite all the attention and subsidiesgoing to renewables, oil and gas provided 70% of theUK total primary energy consumption in 2015 and theIndustry supported 330,000 jobs in the UK.Unfortunately this is a decline of 120,000 jobssupported since the peak in 2014 and many familiesare suffering as a result. Despite increasedproduction, with major reductions in both operatingcosts and capital investment, the free cash flowdeficit is forecast to be around £2.7 billion this yearfor the UKCS with the UK taxpayer facing a loss asthe taxpayer share of decommissioning costsexceeds tax income. With the UK taxpayer liable foraround 75% of decommissioning costs ongoingIndustry efforts to reduce these costs, while stillensuring long-term well integrity and noenvironmental impact, should be supported by thepublic.

At the start of this year we were fortunate to receive atechnical presentation from Shell on the technologybeing deployed to decommission some of the iconicBrent Field infrastructure. On the flip side at therecent joint IOM3/ICorr technical presentation weheard from Ian Taylor and Fraser Selfridge on howShell and Taqa are addressing corrosion issues toincrease recovery from their fields. Whilst at the jointIMechE/MIS technical presentation Craig Durhamdemonstrated how CNOOC Nexen has deployedintelligent well technology on their Golden EagleField to maximise recovery. This reminds us of thepotential still remaining in the UK, Oil and Gas UKestimate this at 10-20 billion barrel and the Oil andGas Authority recently published detailed mapsshowing 350 unsanctioned UKCS discoveriescontaining 3 billion barrel of oil equivalent. Thesenumbers do not reflect the potential upside that theso called “non conventionals” such as shale gas andoil could bring.

The Division remains committed to helping addressthe challenges and supporting our members. I ampleased to note that the Division membershipincreased by 6% in the year to a total of 2517. Wecontinue to see both significant numbers of newstudent members and professional membersattaining CEng or upgrading to Fellow. In addition tosustaining our current offerings in the coming yearthe Division will be focused on retention, in particularthrough the developing IOM3 mentoring programme.

I would just like to finish by wishing all our membersa very happy Christmas and New Year.

Steve Bedford bedfords2@bp.com

A N I N S T I T U T E E V E N T I S T H E

P L A C E T O M E E T F R I E N D S A N D

C O L L E A G U E S B O T H O L D A N D

N E W , W H Y N O T J O I N W I T H U S ?

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

TECHNICAL MEETINGS

11 JANUARY 2017 – 5PM FOR 5.30PM AT HW-U, EDINBURGH

WITH VIDEO LINK TO BP, ABERDEEN

Safeguarding Scotland’s Energy Resources

Speaker: John Hunter, INEOS Shale

8 FEBRUARY 2017 – 7PM FOR 7.30PM AT THE GRANT INSTITUTE,KINGS BUILDINGS, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

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“Tell me Dr Smith what exactly do you mean…”: Theprofessional role of a geoscientist

Speaker: Dr. Martin Smith, BGS

29 MARCH 2017 – 6.00PM FOR 7.00PM AT THE GARVOCK

HOUSE HOTEL, DUNFERMLINE

The Queensferry Crossing

Speaker: Ewen Macdonell, Forth Crossing Bridge Contractors

25 APRIL 2017 – 6.30PM FOR 7.30PM AT THE STIRLING COURT

HOTEL, UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING2

Unmanned aerial systems: How to utilize this new technology

Speaker: John Souter, Survey Solutions Scotland

1. Joint Meeting with the Edinburgh Geological Society

2. Joint Meeting with the Institute of Quarrying

Members are reminded that attendance at BP must be registeredin advance (bedfords2@bp.com) at least 48 hours before themeeting. Otherwise, entry to BP offices cannot be guaranteed.

OTHER EVENTS

5 APRIL 2017 – 1.30PM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS

Young Persons’ Lecture Competition 2017

SOCIAL EVENT

3 MAY 2017 – 12 NOON AT THE LOCHSIDE HOUSE HOTEL, NEW

CUMNOCK, AYRSHIRE

Retired Members’ Lunch (Ayrshire)

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New Council MemberLesley Cumberlege CEng FIMMM

Lesley Cumberlege graduated from SheffieldUniversity in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degreein Geology. She believes her father and grandfatherwho were both NE of England coal miners,unintentionally inspired her to study geology throughthe fascinating plant and animal fossils theydiscovered. After graduating university she workedfor 2 years in the UK and Norwegian Oil and Gassectors as a Mudlogger. Lesley completed heracademic studies at Robert Gordon University inAberdeen earning a Master of Science degree (withdistinction) in Offshore Engineering.

Her professional career continued at Deutag Drillingworking as a Performance Engineer before joiningNoble Drilling as a Drilling Engineer for the BPForties Field. During her time working in Forties sheheld the position of Offshore Engineer andOperations Engineer and during her tenure she waselected Chartered Engineer (Institution of Mining andMetallurgy). She joined BP in 2000 as a SeniorDrilling Engineer in West of Shetlands working ondeepwater subsea wells. Lesley led a multi-disciplinary team involved in well planning for diverseprojects in the Harding and Andrew Fields includinglow cost wells, HPHT and a major project to accessthe gas cap of the Harding reservoir. Beforetransferring in 2009 to BP's operations in Azerbaijanshe worked as a technical specialist for directionaldrilling.

In Azerbaijan Lesley held the role of Wells FunctionalPerformance Manager and Wells EngineeringAuthority for Azerbaijan and Asia Pacific. In June2016 she was featured in an article in MaterialsWorld for National Women in Engineering Day.

She recently transferred back to Aberdeen and iscurrently BP’s Wells Engineering Authority forTechnical Functions.

Early in her career she believed it was important tobe to be a member of a professional institute andattain chartered engineering status as ademonstration of her expertise, her drive is to nowchampion the benefits of membership of IOM3 withcolleagues within the industry and to develop thenext generation of engineers and industry leaders.

Photo courtesy of Materials World

The Mining Institute of Scotland is a private limited company registered in Scotland with Number 311798

COUNCIL 2016/17PRESIDENT: JON LATIMER*

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: VACANT

JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT: VACANT

SECRETARY: DAVID SEATH

TREASURER: IAN PURDIE*

BENEVOLENT FUND: JIM WISHART

YOUNGER MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE: RACHEL LONG

STEVE BEDFORD (OIL & GAS DIVISION BOARD)

GORDON BEETHAM (MIS TRUSTEE)

SIMON BRASSEY (INDUSTRY LIAISON)

MARGARET COPLAND (OIL & GAS DIVISION BOARD)

ALEX CROSSLAND* (OIL & GAS DIVISION BOARD)

LESLEY CUMBERLEGE (INDUSTRY LIAISON)

MARTIN DOWNING (INDUSTRY LIAISON)

CRAIG DURHAM (OIL & GAS DIVISION BOARD)

MARK FRIEL* (INDUSTRY LIAISON)

JOE HEFFERNAN (UNIVERSITY LIAISON)

BOB LAIRD (UNIVERSITY LIAISON)

KEN MACKIE MBE (MIS TRUSTEE)

BABS OYENEYIN (OIL & GAS DIVISION BOARD)

JIM SHIELDS (INDUSTRY LIAISON)

GRAHAM SMITH (CONFERENCE ORGANISER)

JIM SOMERVILLE (UNIVERSITY LIAISON)

ALLAN THOMSON (MIS TRUSTEE)

* DIRECTOR OF THE MINING INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND

SPECIFIC ROLES OF INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE GIVEN

IN BRACKETS. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF YOUR

LOCAL SOCIETY. PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE ABOVE LISTED

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US.

S E C R E T A R Y ’ S A D D R E S S

Mr David Seath BSc(Hons) CEng FIMMM10 Woodhill Grove

CrossfordDunfermlineKY12 8YG

Tel/Fax: 01383 432856Email: D.Seath@btinternet.com

Members can receive all correspondence by email. Pleasecontact the Secretary if you currently don’t.