“The offshore industry is a crucial part of the energy transition”

I joined the offshore industry under quite unusual circumstances. I knew no one else locally who worked in the industry. I have to credit my decision to enter the sector to my brother, who had previously completed an apprenticeship with OPITO at the Jewel and Esk College in Edinburgh. It was his positive experience that encouraged me to look at opportunities in the sector.

I was fortunate to get my own apprenticeship with Petrofac on Global Producer 3 FPSO. It was a great opportunity and starting my career with an apprentice in instrumentation and control was how I gained the essential skills that I still use today as an Offshore Installation Manager (OIM). A particular standout was my time on the Jasmine project with Wood Group which showed me the world of greenfield developments and the enormity of work that goes into a project of that size. I learned a lot from some great, knowledgeable people on the project.

Today, I'm proud to be the OIM on the Tolmount platform for ODE Asset Management, part of the DORIS Group. The job, in some ways, bears many similarities to that of my trade, as I find myself fault-finding and risk-assessing as I did as an Instrument Technician. Instead of evaluating the risk for calibrating a pressure transmitter, I am assessing the cumulative risk of the platform barrier status due to impairment of Safety and Environmentally Critical Elements (SECEs). The most significant difference between being a manager versus a technician is the reporting and internal management side.

There have been many challenges with the Tolmount project but there is no doubt that being part of it is my most significant professional achievement.  Against the backdrop of an ongoing energy crisis in May 2022, Tolmount was the biggest gas-producing platform in the Southern North Sea. This achievement will stay with me for a long time. I am so pleased that, after hours of meetings and workshops with colleagues, we were able to achieve first gas safely and securely.

The offshore industry is a crucial part of the energy transition. So many industries rely on oil and gas in some form or another. For the supply chain, it will be important for everyone – from the large operators to SME’s – to play their part in working collaboratively to drive down carbon emissions. There will be huge environmental and commercial benefits if we all work together.

To achieve a smooth energy transition, the industry needs enthusiastic young people to join, not just as engineers onshore but also as technicians offshore. While that career path may not be for everyone, for those ready for it, you can achieve so much. Furthermore, you will not beat the camaraderie you can gain from working and living with your colleagues.

The best advice I could give someone wanting to join the industry would be to come into the industry showing eagerness to learn and ask questions. The best trainees are always those who show a willingness to understand.