Tuesday 21 November : 3.15 pm – 4.15 pm
SOLVING THE SUPPLY CHAIN DECOM CHALLENGE
The UK supply chain is globally recognised as a leader in offshore operations, and as a mature basin, the UKCS has pioneered many firsts and new approaches within the decommissioning sector. This session focusses on examples and case studies where companies have shown their innovation and technology to be instrumental in the approach and execution of decommissioning projects both in the UK and around the world.
Speakers and Panellists
Neil Gordon
Chief Executive
Global Underwater Hub
Neil Gordon is chief executive of Global Underwater Hub– an organisation playing a key role in the most far-reaching transformation of the UK energy industry. A seasoned and well-respected industry leader, Neil has more than thirty years’ management experience in director and business development roles including more two decades working in the subsea industry.
Since his appointment as CEO of Subsea UK in 2011, Neil has played a leading role in discussions with industry stakeholders, Government ministers and departments about the future of the subsea industry and the support required to maintain its world-leading reputation. He’s also played a significant role in leading the transition of the UK subsea industry to become recognised as a stand-alone industry operating in diverse range of sectors including oil and gas, offshore wind, marine renewables, defence, ocean science, subsea mining and aquaculture. In 2021, Neil successfully launched Global Underwater Hub, the leading trade and industry development body for the UK’s underwater sectors.
Neil’s early career gained him rich and varied experience in managing and developing business in India, the Middle East and Brazil. A former commercial diver, he went on to become the General Manager of the National Hyperbaric Centre where he developed the business streams, including diving research and trials, hyperbaric testing, and saturation diving operations.
Having held several board positions, Neil is currently a Director of OPITO and the Offshore Training Foundation, and a member of the NSTA Supply Chain and Exports Task Group.
Colin Cameron
Business Acquisition Manager
DOF Subsea
Colin Cameron is the Business Acquisition Manager for DOF in the UK, working to expand DOF’s reach in the energy sectors for services including Construction, Decommissioning, IMR and Survey.
Colin has worked in the subsea sector for 25 years, including 20 years at DOF Subsea in roles including Offshore Survey, Project Management, Commercial and Strategy. Most recently, this has included a specific focus on subsea decommissioning, where the DOF vessel fleet, people and commitment to collaboration are central to enhancing efficiencies, improving performance, and ultimately reducing cost.
Vikki Thom
Head of Business Development
Boskalis
Vikki Thom is an experienced professional with extensive involvement in the offshore energy industry. As the Head of Business Development at Boskalis Subsea Services, she plays a pivotal role in driving growth in the Decommissioning, IRM and Construction market.
She is passionate about building strong relationships with stakeholders across industry to support developing value add solutions. Her understanding of the industry dynamics and market trends enables her to identify collaborative opportunities and develop innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients.
Vikki actively contributes to industry networks and is engaged in initiatives that support sustainability of the supply chain.
Walter Robertson
Development Director
Phoenix Decom
Experience
- 1977
Background in Building Surveying and Architectural Technology working for Local Authorities before entering the O&G Support Services sector as a Development Surveyor in 1985.
My role diversified several times over a 28-year career with ASCO where I also secured senior roles.
-
- Property Management
- Resources & Quayside Operations
- Engineering
- 1996
Entered the waste management sector as MD of ASCO subsidiary Enviroco Ltd. (The company developed to became one of the UK’s leading Hazardous waste management companies). - 2006
Rejoined ASCO Group as Operations Director, promoted to UK MD position in 2008. - 2009
My role widened to European MD taking responsibility for all North Sea bases. - 2011
Transferred to Group MD of ASCO’s International Freight Management companies operating out of UK, USA and Singapore also taking responsibility for identifying business expansion opportunities in Indonesia and Australia. - 2013
I set up my own company Robertson Integrated Energy Support, collaboratively working within the supply chain to deliver operational and waste management solutions. Following an extended period of Consultancy, I was appointed MD of NorSea UK Ltd through to March 2022. - 2022
Phoenix Decom was formed by my colleague Craig Smith. I joined his team, to add my experience to an already expert group of colleagues, who collectively provide over two hundred years of industry leading NORM and Waste Management expertise.
David Anderson
Regional Manager
Claxton
David is the Regional Manager of Claxton Engineering’s Aberdeen and Stavanger facilities, responsible for all aspects of business delivery and performance. Having started his oil and gas career with Proserv in an engineering role, David progressed to manage Proserv’s Multi-String Cutting product line with the goal of developing service capability and growing into South East Asia. In 2017, David moved to Singapore as General Manager to grow the operations base with primary focus on delivering decommissioning services in the region. Following Claxton Engineering’s acquisition of Proserv in 2019, David returned to Aberdeen to expand Claxton’s decommissioning capability in the North Sea and drive the transition into renewable energy services globally. David is also a Chartered Engineer with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Bill Cattanach
Head of Supply Chain
North Sea Transition Authority
Bill has been involved in the promotion of Oil and Gas expertise and the UK supply chain for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge across the sector. During this time, he administered and actively participated on the Government/ Industry forum PILOT where many of the enabling initiatives for the UKCS were developed. Currently Bill is Head of Supply Chain at the North Sea Transition Authority where he is tasked with promoting and growing a competitive and competent service sector. This covers the entire spectrum from exploration through to decommissioning and now into energy transition where there is a focus on establishing new capabilities to serve this emerging market. In doing so the aspiration is to promote a supply chain which can compete on a global basis and win significant value for the UK economy.
Bill’s role includes working at a senior level with Operators/ Developers and Supply chain companies as well as other stakeholders and public bodies to successfully deliver UKCS project activity. Bill maintains strong links with sectorial and regional trade associations and as part of this participates on the board of EEEGR, Global Underwater Hub, NOF Energy and Decom/Mission.
Bill is a chartered surveyor and joined the UK Government Energy Department 22 years ago after working in the Scottish Executive's Rural Affairs Department. His efforts in promoting the Oil and Gas Supply chain were recognised in 2015 when he was awarded an OBE.