Oil & Gas UK, the representative organization for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, announced the appointment of a number of member company representatives and a new team of officers to lead its board. All changes are of immediate effect.
Neil McCulloch, president, North Sea at EnQuest PLC, and Terry Savage, corporate relationship director at Global Energy Group, take over as co-chairmen of the board, representing the operator and contractor communities respectively. Their predecessors, Trevor Garlick of BP and John Pearson of Amec Foster Wheeler, have now both stepped down from the board having completed the maximum period of tenure allowed.
“The most important role for my tenure as co-chairman is to help drive investment in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), most easily measured by the number of wells being drilled - which is at an all-time low. We have to make the UKCS more competitive for investment by streamlining operations and achieving average unit operating costs of $15/boe. We will have to deliver drilling costs of less than half their peak level, and deliver better on our project promises; all the while maintaining our basin’s exemplary safety record,” McChulloch said.
“The industry is facing significant challenges ahead as it addresses its costs and efficiencies, Savage said. “The industry is rightly proud of its world-class supply chain, and I look forward to representing companies of all sizes and throughout the UK.”
Existing board members Ray Riddoch, managing director and senior vice president Europe at Nexen Petroleum UK, and Neil Sims, vice president ECIS Region at Expro North Sea, take on the vice co-chairman roles representing the operator and contractor communities respectively. Craig May, managing director of Chevron upstream Europe, remains in role as honorary treasurer.
Other appointments to the Oil & Gas UK board are: Mark Thomas, regional president of BP North Sea, who brings to the board more than 34 years’ experience in operations, strategy and commercial positions gained globally; Walter Thain, managing director, West, Petrofac Engineering & Production Services business, who has 25 years’ global oil and gas experience including senior roles across strategy, business development and operations within the oilfield services sector; and Morten Kelstrup, VP, managing director of Maersk Oil UK, who brings a wealth of experience gained in commercial and leadership roles in a range of oil and gas companies.
“Our industry continues to be very challenged by the low price of oil and effects of maturity. However, the concerted effort to restore competitiveness by improving efficiency and reducing costs is bringing positive results,” Deirdre Michie, Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive said. “Oil & Gas UK is very fortunate to have the guidance of a talented board and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those leaving the board for their commitment and service to the industry.
Image of Michie, from Oil & Gas UK.
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