Oil & Gas UK announces new board officers and members

Neil McCulloch, president of 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.

Speaking on his appointment Neil McCulloch said: “I am delighted to take on the operator co-chairman role and look forward to working closely with the Board and the leadership team at Oil & Gas UK to ensure it continues to make a positive impact on our vital industry. Over the past 18 months, enormous progress has been made with our member companies confronting cost and efficiency challenges, the likes of which we have not seen before. We have also seen greater engagement, including delivery of much needed fiscal reform, with both the UK and Scottish Governments. With the Oil and Gas Authority now bedded in, we have more in hand to deliver Maximising Economic Recovery (MER) UK.

“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.”

Terry Savage said of his new role: “I am delighted to take on the position as co-chairman alongside Neil. The industry is facing significant challenges ahead as it addresses its costs and efficiencies. I look forward to working with Neil, Deirdre and the Board to address the change in culture and behaviours required to have a sustainable future in the UKCS.

“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 U.K. Limited, 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.

Deirdre Michie, Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive, said: “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.

“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.

“I look forward to drawing on the experience and guidance of the new Board directors and officers to strengthen the prospects for firms in this sector. We are starting to show that by working together, this industry can become more efficient, safer and sustainable in a world of lower oil prices.”