Subsea Engineering Opportunity: International Market Insights Report series - water and wastewater

This report is part of a series of reports considering the opportunities for the Scottish oil and gas (O&G) subsea supply chain in other subsea and related markets. It focuses on the water and wastewater sector, covering both municipal and industrial water. It provides an overview of the sector and looks at its synergies with the subsea oil and gas supply chain, in particular, water distribution, operations and monitoring, and engineering. It considers the challenges facing the water sector and outlines key global markets of interest.

The research involved a desk review of existing evidence.

The report finds that the water and wastewater sector is expected to grow dramatically in the coming decades and is already worth an estimated $650 billion according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It notes that water technologies alone are expected to be worth £900 million annually to Scotland, and highlights predictions that a market for water will eclipse that for oil and gas. It suggests that the many challenges facing the sector around the world may create interesting international opportunities for Scotland’s subsea oil and gas supply chain. As Scotland already has a robust reputation for novel water technologies and water treatment, collaboration between these two sectors therefore presents an interesting opportunity. The sectors of the water industry that have the greatest crossover with the Scottish subsea supply chain sector are identified as: water treatment (both drinking water and wastewater); water distribution and storage (including pipelines and reservoirs); the various challenges faced by both sectors, including security of supply, water quality, pipeline installation, leakages, pressure, mains cleaning, and the development of ‘intelligent’ water networks. Another key challenge is adapting ageing water infrastructure to modern demands. Key global markets that may present opportunities for Scottish companies exist in countries as diverse as Poland, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand, India and China.

The report does not make any specific recommendations.