There were plenty of well-known industry figures at Oil & Gas UK’s (OGUK) annual conference in Aberdeen last week but one standout newcomer at the event should quickly became part of the industry furniture.

The trade association used the two-day event – themed “an industry in transition” — to debut its new pink sofa, which it is hoped will encourage more discussion around the big issues facing the industry as the world moves to a lower carbon future.

As part of the trade body’s Our Vision Our Future campaign, delegates at the conference were encouraged to take a few minutes to sit down on the sofa with colleagues to have a conversation about the challenges facing the industry.

The sofa will now spend the summer touring oil and gas companies of all shapes and sizes and other organisations, including Opportunity North East, the private sector’s response to the long-term economic challenges facing north-east Scotland.

The roadshows are aimed at gathering feedback for the development of a roadmap, announced last week, for how industry will achieve its Vision 2035 blueprint for what the sector could look like in a little over 15 years.

OGUK communications director Gareth Wynn told Cuttings there was “a lot of buzz” around the sofa, which, while fun, also has a serious aim.

He said: “We’re on a journey to understanding what the future of this industry will look like and everyone has an opinion that we are keen to hear as part of this conversation.

“The sofa itself had great feedback at the conference because it’s different, it challenged perceptions about our industry and provided a focal point to get people talking. We’re looking forward to ramping up the engagement over the summer.”

Delegates to the conference were told climate change is a “real and present danger” but also heard the sector will have an important role to play in the so-called energy transition.

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