Six major North Sea operators have already signed up for the IM Energy Forum, which is bringing together industry analysts, academics and technology providers to give members direct access to information, industry best practice and networking opportunities.

Aberdeen-based Pragma, an Amor Group business, has brought together Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and Ovum, incorporating Butler Group, a renowned provider of IT research, analysis and advice, to deliver the IM Energy Forum.

The forum was officially launched with the first in a series of one-day master classes, designed for the energy sector.

The inaugural event, being hosted by Robert Gordon University and sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, is being attended by around 20 members, offering the latest thinking from Ovum Butler Group's respected industry analysts as well as the chance for IM specialists to get together to discuss their own perspectives, issues and lessons learned.

The aim of the IM Energy Forum is to foster an environment in which solutions can be developed and shared.

Pragma Director Neale Stidolph believes Pragma’s deep understanding of the energy market, combined with specialist IM skills and access to a wider network, makes Pragma the obvious choice to lead the forum.

“We regularly collaborate with our clients to bring solutions to the market that are relevant and meaningful, and our position as information services vendor of choice to the majority of oil & gas businesses in Scotland and beyond means that we are best placed to operate this forum,” he said.

“The IM Energy Forum will help oil and gas information management specialists to shape their strategies and transform their current operations.

“We already have six major operators signed up and more will follow as there are clear benefits to signing up, including from the ability to gain analyst insight without an individual subscription as our unique partnership with Ovum, incorporating Butler Group, will provide members with access to a host of exclusive analyst services.

“We are confident the forum will continue to grow and develop over the coming months and as we move forward, the content of the programme will be shaped by the forum members to make sure it’s relevant to the real issues that are facing the energy sector.”

Members of the IM Energy Forum can access information through a web portal.

They have also been invited to attend round tables, site visits and conferences throughout the year, as well as having direct access to other IM experts, industry analysts, academics and technology providers.

The first masterclass is being held at Robert Gordon University, with address by Peter Reid, Head of the Department of Information Management.

Laura Muir, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Information Management who is coordinating Robert Gordon University's involvement in the development of the forum, said: "The University is delighted to be playing a key role in establishing this new forum which highlights the importance of effective information management in the energy sector. We are proud to consider ourselves The Professional University and our links with industry are of vital importance to ensuring our courses are catered to the real world. We see this partnership as a very important industry link that will help us to continue to build on our success."

Pragma already has a long-standing partnership with the university, which includes the sponsorship of an annual prize with the School of Computing.

For more information on the IM Energy Forum, visit www.imenergyforum.com or call Pragma on 01224 649999.

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Issued on behalf of Pragma by The BIG Partnership. For more information, please call Shona Hendry on 01224 615003 or 07739 314158.

Notes to Editors

Pragma is the UK’s leading oil and gas IS service and solution provider, specialising in IT infrastructure and information management and business continuity services. Clients include Hess Corporation, CNR, Nexen, Maersk, Cairn Energy and Talisman Energy.  For more information, visit www.pragma.co.uk

Pragma is part of Amor Group, a leading provider of business technology solutions.  Established in May 2009 to acquire Real Time and Pragma, Amor Group has forecast revenues of £32 million and 330 staff across its Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Houston offices.  For more information, visit www.amorgroup.com