Back in November last year,12 months after its start in 2014, the NERC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Oil & Gas held its first annual conference at Heriot-Watt University.  The morning of the conference gave the chance for a number of notable individuals such as Fergus Ewing (MSP for Business, Energy and Tourism), Dave Lynch (VP Reservoir Development, BP) and others to give their impressions of both the programme and the UK oil & gas industry as it goes though a tough time of change.

The afternoon of the conference gave a chance for the first cohort of students, who are now 12 months into their research projects, to showcase their research over the last year to industry experts, government and academic peers.  The quality and breadth of research on display from all student was certainly clear and with the programme only just into its second year the future looks very bright.

The conference also gave a great opportunity for the 30 new students (3 from Southampton) to network with other students, academics and industry sponsors from all over the country, which is so rare just one month into their studies.

The day event concluded with dinner and light hearted Ceilidh before the students were set to begin training courses the following day, Environmental Impact/Regulations for the 2015 cohort and a Communication course for the 2014 Cohort.

For more information about the CDT go to: http://www.nerc-cdt-oil-and-gas.ac.uk/