Started this role with SPD, which was later fully integrated within the Petrofac Group.

Responsible for a multi discipline team (HSEQ, Operations, Drilling, Completion trees/wellheads and commercial / financial) in delivering multi-client, multi well, multi-rig, Development and E&A campaigns as well as all ad-hoc well engineering studies / projects. Key areas of responsibility include: HSEQ leadership, planning and Operations leadership, setting and maintenance of standards, policies procedures, resource management and optimization, client liaison.

Responsible for the planning and execution of Well Engineering activities on various projects being managed by SPD Ltd. Well engineering input into a 15 year production sharing project in Eastern Europe. Scope includes, risk review of a 1200 well portfolio, development of forward programme, scoping of equipment and services required, support in the novation of service contracts, integration of in country personnel and development of appropriate management systems and structure.

Responsible for the planning and execution of a two well deepwater offshore exploration programme in Mozambique for Sasol. Well locations were in a remote area with no oilfield infrastructure requiring a high degree of logistical planning and operational management. Managed a small team in conjunction with a SPD Director in managing all aspects of delivering the 2 well deepwater exploration programme. Project scope included developing well designs with the client’s in-house subsurface group. Developing the contracting strategy, issuing and evaluation of ITT’s. Writing contracts for all services in conjunction with the client’s in house legal team. Development of a detailed logistics programme for remote operations and managing all project procurement. We were also responsible for the Operational management of the project during the execution phase and ultimately the project close out, i.e. financial reconciliations and end of well reporting. During the planning phase’s the project was managed from Aberdeen with key in house and client personnel spread around the globe, including London, Johannesburg, Dubai and India.During the execution phase the project was managed from the client’s offices in Johannesburg with a small logistics base in Mozambique supporting the offshore operation. Throughout this phase I held the role of Rig Superintendent, managing all aspects of the operation from, spud to well test and abandonment.

Main responsibilities included the planning and execution of Well Engineering activities on Shell EPE platform drilling rigs.Key activities include sidetrack and workover operations on the Nelson and North Cormorant platforms as well as TTRD operations on NC. An operation of particular note was the successful re-completion of 2 WI wells on Nelson where the completions were pulled without the wells being killed and the fluid level some +/- 1500 ft below the drill floor (Operational first for Shell EPE). Duties include day-to-day operational supervision and decision making, with safety and operational excellence forming the core priorities. Also responsible for budget control, rig maintenance/upgrades, as well as rig start up/shut down when moving crews between platforms plus the coordination of the interface between the operations/planning and subsurface groups to ensure alignment.

During this period held the position of opportunity delivery leader (project leader) for the Nelson Phase 4 drilling campaign. Main responsibility in this role was co-ordination and leading of an integrated Subsurface and Well Engineering team. The key deliverables for the team were the production of technical and financial proposals, including well designs, target risking, production profiles and economic forecasting. Success was achieved when the project was approved both internally via the Shell EPE opportunity delivery process and externally by the 4 Nelson JV partners.

Responsible for providing Well Engineering design input and operational support to a integrated well engineering and sub-surface team in the planning and executing of the 5 well, £59MM Goldeneye project. Key activities in this period were completion of the detailed design of the 5 wells, compile and submit the required regulatory documentation and project risk assessment; support the development and implementation of a detailed HSE start-up and integration plan for the Norwegian based rig Maersk Innovator and its crews; focus on detailed planning and preparations for this brand new and unproven rig in a bid to maximise the value delivered to the project; support in the development of an integrated team of service providers in pursuit of delivering world-class performance. Also to provide support in the management and control of all aspects of the operations whilst the rig was on location, with a key focus on technical limit performance within a safe working environment. Provided cover throughout this period for the Operational Senior Well Engineer as required. Final project delivery was 5 wells completed as per design objectives and £13MM under budget.

During this period was responsible for the design and execution (as Operations Engineer) for several subsea wells including development, appraisal and exploration wells using various Semi’s including the GSF140, Ocean Nomad and the TSF 711. Within the role as design engineer responsible for the well design, preparations of permits, operational programmes and AFE generation. The well designs varied from dipstick near shore exploration through salt to horizontal production wells complete with gravel packs and ESP completions. Due to the nature of the rig contracting strategy at the time many of these wells were drilled on one well contracts as such rig start up and shut down strategy was also a critical deliverable. During this period stood in for the Operational Senior Well Engineer as required.

On graduating from Robert Gordon University, joined Santa Fe Tech Serv as a trainee Drilling Engineer. During the training period completed time offshore as a member of the rig crew on the Magellan (Jack up) and Auk fulmar Platforms. There after moved into the role of Offshore Drilling Engineer under a WIN 90 contract on the Auk / Fulmar. During this period provided offshore engineering support to the STP for various activities including ESP wokovers, ERD drilling operations and high angel drilling with a Kelly. Thereafter moved to the role of NDSV on the Beatrice Bravo for a workover campaign. On conclusion of that operation was seconded to Shell as Offshore Drilling Engineer on the GSF140. During this 2-year period provided offshore operations support to the DSV on subsea projects such as Guillemot West (Horizontal oil and gas production wells with Sand screens/expandables), Gannet East (Horizontal oil producers with external Gravel packs and ESP’s) and Kingfisher HP2 (HPHT).