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Member News: Umbilicals Conference Returns to Explore Dynamic Future of Offshore Energy

October 21, 2025
Member News: Umbilicals Conference Returns to Explore Dynamic Future of Offshore Energy

Global Underwater Hub (GUH) and the Umbilical Manufacturers’ Federation (UMF) have joined forces for another year to deliver the fifth iteration of the Umbilicals Conference.

Taking place on Tuesday, 11 November at GUH’s premises in Westhill, Aberdeen, the one-day event will bring together stakeholders from the oil and gas and renewables industries to explore new technologies associated with the design, manufacture, installation and operation of subsea umbilicals.

Umbilicals, which link surface and seafloor equipment, are a critical component in ultra-deepwater oil and gas production and the technology transfer applicable in dynamic cables will also be vital to delivering floating offshore wind at scale.

Focused on the theme of ‘Umbilicals – the dynamic future ahead’, the conference will delve into the new and emerging umbilicals markets, providing opportunities for delegates to network, share knowledge and discuss sector challenges.

Neil Gordon, Chief Executive, GUH

Neil Gordon, Chief Executive of GUH, the leading trade and industry development body for the UK’s underwater sectors, said:

“This year’s Umbilicals Conference is especially timely as global forecasts show the subsea umbilicals market is poised to grow at a compound annual rate of over seven percent in the coming decade.

“As the energy sector pivots globally toward both deeper oil and gas frontiers and large-scale floating wind deployments, the demand for high-performance, reliable umbilicals and dynamic cables is entering a new growth phase.

“Under the theme ‘Umbilicals – the dynamic future ahead’, this fifth joint conference with the UMF will examine how decades of North Sea subsea expertise can be leveraged, how global supply chains must evolve, and how innovation across materials, digital monitoring and system integration will unlock new opportunities in emerging markets.”

Across the conference programme, delegates will hear from organisations working to further the growth and development of umbilicals, including bp, Composite Analytica, Fibron, JDR Cable Systems, Oceaneering, SEA Enterprises, SLB OneSubsea, Subsea7, Tubacex and Viper Innovations.

Phil Ashley, UMF

Phil Ashley, chair of the Umbilical Manufacturers’ Federation, said:

“The UMF is delighted to be partnering again with GUH in facilitating the fifth Umbilicals Conference. As the UMF enters its 25th year, the work of our members is more pertinent than ever, ensuring safe development of umbilicals in a maturing oil and gas sector, whilst simultaneously helping to shape and guide the transition to net zero, transferring lessons to the dynamic cable market.”

Discounted registration rates for the event are available for both GUH and UMF members. Conference bookings will close for attendees on Friday, 7 November at 12pm.

To find out more and register to attend the Umbilicals Conference 2025, please click here. To enquire about sponsorship opportunities at the event, please contact GUH’s Events Team.

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